About Paul Hassell

Paul Hassell is based in Knoxville, TN near the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. He travels to breathtaking lands around the world, but there is always something about the spirit of the Smokies that calls him home. Paul has a contagious love for life, adventure, and celebrating light.  He graduated from the University of Tennessee in May '08 with a customized major in Freelance Photography and Nature Writing.

Paul regularly shows his fine art photographs in prestigious galleries. His adventure stories have been published in local newspapers and his images in national magazines such as Outdoor Photographer and National Parks Magazine.

"When we find what really makes us tick, we must pursue it and let nothing keep us from that pursuit. From the age of 11 it has been quite clear that adventures and light are what make me tick. I have not ceased to chase the light ever since."

Paul's Mission

My mission is to usher light into the world so that the lives of people might be changed, and the places they go to change might remain unchanged.

The images compel people to go to where the image was taken and experience the place for themselves. If the person does not have the means to venture into the wild, the power of that place as conveyed in these images will still ignite a fire of appreciation great enough for him/her to act towards its preservation.

Links

Recommended websites for photography enthusiasts and adventurers

Marius van der Sandt - [ 19 November 1985 - 20 October 2006 ]

On October 20, 2006 while paragliding in Turkey, Marius lost consciousness and had a fatal crash. My good friend passed on while soaring with the eagles.

Like-spirited 20 year old Marius (Netherlands) and I met in the Alaskan backcountry of Katmai National Park in June 2006. He was with his dear mother (a real angel of a woman). For four days we joined together and shared our adventurous dreams for the future while fulfilling one in the present - photographing Katmai Brown Bears.

Here's a brief look at Marius's life. As a high school student Marius felt a tugging to head to New Zealand. Did he sit idly? No. Off he went to photograph the mountains and soar the skies (aerial photography while paragliding). In 2005, after rapelling down into a slot canyon in AZ, Marius ran into world famous Dutch nature photographer Frans Lanting. In August 2006, Marius completed a National Geographic assignment with Frans in the Arctic.

In short, Marius knew he was created to photograph the world around him in order to conserve it, and he wasted no time getting started. I will always carry a sense of his passion for photography, and his dedication to making his dreams a reality.

What's in the Bag?

Nikon Digital Camera: D200

Nikon Film Camera: F100, 8008, FM2

Nikon Lenses: 18-35mm, 18-200VR, 28-80mm, 80-400VR, 300mm f/2.8, 105mm f/2.8 macro (my favorite), sigma 10-20mm

Tripods: Gitzo 1325 (heavy use), Gitzo 1028 (ultralight), Bogen 3011

Film: Velvia 50... i still love my film!

Workshops

For information about seasonal Smoky Mountains workshops click here