Biologist, photographer, painter and musician combines outlets to create magic – St George News

2 months ago Tammie R. Brooks

ST. GEORGE-From landscape photography to a vast collection of insects, an aspiring natural science biology grad proves that diverse art forms can work together seamlessly.

Brady Iverson poses in front of his photograph, place and date not specified | Photo by Khalob Freeborne courtesy of Brady Iverson, St. George News

“Every hobby or interest I choose is chosen because it’s a beautiful expression of how weird the world is, and I love it because it’s just huge and endlessly complicated,” Brady Iverson said. .

With the same specialism as most National Geographic photographers, Iverson said his goal is to bring science communication to life through photography. His love for biology, evolution, ecology, chemistry, geology and all things “outdoors” led him to photography, watercolors and even releasing his own album inspired by the sounds of nature. ‘he personally recorded in nature.

Iverson’s interest in photography began at the age of 11 when he got hold of a “gnarled” Walgreens camera. As he continued to take stills and moved into digital photography, he said most of what he initially shot for 5-10 years was “garbage”.

After graduating from high school, he took a hiking and photography trip to Europe. The journey went from Iceland to London, where he took trains and buses to Rome, then to Germany, Prague, the Netherlands and Denmark.

A windmill deep in the Rocky Mountains is photographed by Brady Iverson, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Brady Iverson, St. George News
A windmill deep in the Rocky Mountains is photographed by Brady Iverson, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Brady Iverson, St. George News

Being enveloped in nature and different cultures inspired him and two years later he walked much of the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada. Two years later, he was living in a van full-time, traveling all over “this side” of the Rocky Mountains with the intention of capturing and discovering every national park.

During his 2018 van life experience, Iverson said his photography was taken to the next level. Inspired by his love for the outdoors and biology, he also carried the tree field guide and tried to learn more about every tree he saw.

“Just having the camera all this time is what started the fire and also that freedom,” Iverson said. “Freedom with a camera is simply the best feeling I have ever had and I have been looking for it ever since.”

Iverson’s photography business, Aperture Artworks, made its public debut at the St. George Downtown Farmers Market in 2020. At the booth, Iverson sold his landscape prints on glass, while his housemate, Steven Anzardo, sold his landscape paintings.

“People seem to like it,” Iverson said of the community reaction. “It’s pretty amazing. I have never had so much encouragement before. There are couples in town who have fallen in love with my work and decorated their homes with my photos. I never thought it would come to this. It makes me blush to talk about it.

A Brady photobook features a variety of landscape photography, St. George, Utah, October 10, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
A Brady photobook features a variety of landscape photography, St. George, Utah, October 10, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Iverson currently enjoys two styles of photography: street photography, which he does with film, and landscape, which is done digitally. He develops his own film in a darkroom in his garden shed and develops the film in his bathroom.

“With film, it’s so much more accessible, so I love doing street photography with it,” he said. “It’s just there, I click on it, and it’s kind of magical. There’s these little moments of humanity that you’re able to catch.

In addition to her creative outlets, Iverson released her debut album, “The Water Cycle” this year. Performing under the name “Hideous Gomphideous”, Iverson said he uses the sound of running water like streams, waterfalls and rain in every track along with drums, guitar and more.

Where does “Gomphideous” come from? “It’s a common name for a fungus,” Iverson said. “Including hideous in the name is so liberating. I can do whatever music I want because if the baseline is hideous then we just go up from there.

As he sees many common traits linking the expressive mediums he has drawn from, Iverson is constantly exercising his creative side through new avenues. As for future goals, he plans to either buy another van and travel after graduation in December, or take a backpacking trip through Europe or Southeast Asia.

For more information on Brady Iverson and his available photography, see his website or visit @the_swampmonster on Instagram.

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Copyright St.George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

Jessi Bang was born and raised in Utah and is passionate about nature and the great outdoors. She graduated from Kaplan University in California with a degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience in marketing, content creation, photography and copywriting. You can find her showcasing outdoor adventures on her blog, “The Rambling Raccoon.” In her spare time, she enjoys climbing mountains, running trails, working out and cuddling her two adorable puppies.

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