Fd: How did you get started in the fly fishing & photography world?
Kyle: I got started in the fishing and photography world together. I had always enjoyed taking photographs and the same went for fishing. When I went to college at University of Wisconsin-Stout I enrolled in an intro photography class and found this could be something I could take seriously. My professor was always impressed by my eye and mentioned I should pursue it further than the intro class. I did. Around the same time one of my good group of friends, who just so happen to all be brothers, introduced me into the world of fly fishing. Needless to say I was hooked. I found fishing took me to some of the most beautiful places and that having my camera at my side was a necessity.
Fd: What kind of influences did you have?
Kyle: I've been lucky enough to have some great influences my entire life. It all started with my grandfathers. I really owe it all to them. They were the ones who had the patience to take and teach me how to fish. It instilled a desire for catching fish deep within me. My grandfathers however weren't fly fishermen. The Pavlovich brothers are the ones who showed me the ropes on that end. We have since grown into a family of fishermen. I live with two of the brothers and the third lives over the bluff from me.
As far as the photography world goes, I found my passion for my photography on a trip to Washington D.C. At 10 years of age. I don't think I realized it at the time but I snapped like 18 rolls of film while there. My mother was nice enough to pay to have it all developed. Travel has definitely influenced my passion for taking photos. My professor in college (Peter Galante) put much of it in perspective for me with his “no-bull shit” style of telling you your work was terrible or really good. If his critical eye liked what he saw week after week I must be doing something right. It pushed me to further pursue what is now one of my passions in life.
I've been lucky enough to get published a number of times (mainly The Flyfish Journal) in the past couple of years. Seeing your work in print for the world to see is incredibly motivating for me. It keeps me striving for perfection and pushes me to travel more and more.
Fd: How do you think your style evolved over time?
Kyle: Lighting, Lighting, Lighting!!! That is where I evolved the most. After years of doing this my eye has become almost freakishly in tune with seeing good light and if you know anything about photography lighting is the most important thing.
After taking a good look at my work over the years I've definitely improved my ability to capture those candid moments that happen on the water. I pride myself on my ability to capture candid moments.
Fd: We read that you spent some time in Colorado, living “in a small cabin with no internet, TV, or cell reception, leaving plenty of time for the things [you] have a true passion for: photography and fly fishing.” What can you tell us about that experience?
Kyle: I could write a novel on this experience, but I'll try to sum things up a bit for the sake of your readers. I landed a unique job working at a remote zip-line course (Soaring Colorado) in the San Juan National Forest. It had zero road access and was located on the grounds of an old Five Star resort where celebs would go to escape the media. The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Steam Engine was the only reasonable way to reach the place. Employees lived on an old dude ranch about 1 mile south of the zipline course. Each day we'd walk the railroad up to work. It just so happened that the Narrow Gauge Railroad followed the Animas River, so each day after work I'd fish my way back to my cabin. You couldn't have it any better. It is really where I cut my teeth when it came to flyfishing. I ended up working two summers there and explored much of Southwest Colorado.
Living in a place that wild lends itself very well to the photographic eye. I spent much time photographing all the amazing places I was able to fish. One of my favorite things to photograph was the population of black bear living amongst us. The bears were the only reason we had to lock our cabin doors. I became pretty familiar with these bears and spent some evenings chasing them around trying to photograph them.
The thing that really stands out about this experience was the fact that I was completely isolated from the technologies we as a society have a hard time escaping. It's amazing what you can get yourself into when you live without the distractions of our everyday lives. It was a bit will traveling back in time. The steam engine was the only sign of life of the outside world. It will always be one of my most unique experiences.
Fd: On what project are you currently working?
Kyle: Currently I am working a fairly large project that combines both my passions. I'm in my third year of my new business, Black Earth Angling Co. It is a fly fishing guide outfit in Southwest Wisconsin that guides for Driftless Trout, Lower Wisconsin River Smallmouth Bass, and a grab-bag of other species. Things have really taken off for me and I will actually be going full-time working for myself, a benchmark I've been trying to reach for many years. Those who know me, know that I am an entrepreneur at heart and it was only a matter of time before I made a move to build a business out of what I love doing. My photography has helped me get to where I am by giving my brand a unique photo-heavy style that is visually appealing. My ability to capture candid moments leaves my clients with some great shots of themselves fishing with me. I love capturing the look on a client's face when they hook into their first smallmouth or catch their first Driftless Trout on a dry. It never gets old for me.
In the upcoming years I plan to start outfitting overnight trips on my home waters as well as hosting destination trips around the world, camera in one hand and rod in the other. Through my travels I'd like to continue to put out great photos and maybe consider doing work with fly fishing publications. If anyone out there has a neat place they think I need to visit please reach out.
Fd: Where can we see more of your work?
Kyle: I'm in the process of upgrading my photo website as it's been a few years and I've since staked out a niche. A lot of more work now is working for me through my company Black Earth Angling Co. I stay very active on facebook and instagram. I have fallen off on my Flickr account in the past year but plan to get back on it this year. Also, you can find some of my favorite work on Midcurrent.
You can find more about Kyle Zempel's work here at Fly dreamers (go to profile) and also at Blackearthangling.com, Kylezphotography.com, Flickr and Instagram.