PHOTOGRAPHER | FILMMAKER | WRITER

I tell stories

As a freelance photographer, filmmaker, and writer, I work with outdoor brands, guiding outfitters, non-profits, and publications to produce digital media content and tell engaging stories.

Because of my background in outdoor sports and international travel, I specialize in location shoots that are tough for many photographers and videographers to reach. I am ready to take my camera anywhere, whether it's a remote river canyon, steep couloir, or an urban street.

I am available for hire, so please get in touch!

Instagram: @d_spiegel

This might be the coolest image that I shot last week. I was zoomed in on some tufted puffins on the water when someone in my Zodiac shouted “bald eagle to the left!” With no time to change shutter speed or exposure, I pivoted and tried my best to lock focus as the eagle flew past. It was only after I reviewed the burst of images that I realized this image included a peregrine falcon! It seems that the eagle was chasing the falcon. Check out the size difference between these two birds! Just another magical moment in the Inian Islands. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
#nationalgeographicsealion #lindbladexpeditions @lindbladexp @natgeoexpeditions #natgeo #birding #birds #baldeagle #falcon #alaska #tongassnationalforest #publiclands #ourwild #wildplaces #inianislands #canonusa #canon5dmkiv #5dmarkiv

Last week was a great week for breaching humpback whales! This humpback in Icy Straight breached ten times while we watched from a Zodiac. Unreal. •
•
•
•
•
•
#humpbackwhale #whales #lindbladexpeditions @lindbladexp @natgeoexpeditions #natgeo #wildlifephotography #alaska #celebratewild #wildanimals #wildnature #naturephotography

Last night we came across a large group of humpback whales. This young whale breached repeatedly for over an hour while the adults fed. 🐋 •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
#nationalgeographicsealion @lindbladexp @natgeoexpeditions #humpbackwhale #whale #wildlife #marinemammals #wildearth #celebratewild #whales

This juvenile bald eagle found a fish in Icy Strait but quickly lost it when several adult eagles swooped in to take advantage of the catch. Wildlife sightings have been great this week in SE Alaska! •
•
•
•
•
#lindbladexpeditions @lindbladexp #alaska #tongassnationalforest #ourwild #baldeagle #birding #wildlifephotography #wildearth #celebratewild #sealaska

A ray of sunlight illuminated this beautiful piece of glacial ice at the mouth of Le Conte bay two days ago. Shadows on the trees in the backdrop created a dramatic black backdrop. •
•
•
•
•
•
#glacier #leconte #alaska #tongassnationalforest #natgeoexpeditions #natgeo #lindbladexpeditions @lindbladexp

How’s this for a Southeast Alaskan scene? Bald eagle on a ship wreck in front of a glacier 🙂. So glad to be back in this wonderful place! 🦅 •
•
•
•
•
#alaska #southeastalaska #lindbladexpeditions @lindbladexp #natgeo #natgeoexpeditions #shipwreck #oceans #baldeagle #eagle #glacier #tongassnationalforest

From last week: Glacier hikers with their ice axes and crampons look pretty small in front of the face of one of the smaller arms of the Vatnajökull ice field. The massive icecap terminates in many outlet glaciers down this one. •
•
•
•
•
•
#iceland #glacier #vatnajökull #vatnajokull #5dmarkiv #nature #hiking #celebratewild #outdoors #explore #hike #mountains

Another puffin from Borgarfjordür this morning. This one happened to be standing in front of a dark background on a dreary overcast day, creating a bit of a dramatic look. Experimented with a relatively slow shutter to catch some wing blur and a lower ISO. •
•
1/320th second, f/8, ISO 500; 560mm (400mm f/4 DO II + 1.4x III)
•
•
•
•
#birdsofinstagram #puffin #wildlifephotography #natureshooters #wildlife #iceland #canonusa #5dmarkiv #naturelovers #atlanticpuffin #birdnerd #birding

Yesterday: it was awesome to watch these horned grebes take turns incubating their egg and bring nesting materials to improve their nest. Beautiful breading plumage and interesting behavior. •
•
•
•
•
•
#5dmarkiv #iceland #birding #birds #hornedgrebe #naturephotography #nature #canonusa #wildlifephotography #nature #animalsofinstagram #animals #discoverearth #wildlifeonearth #wildlifeplanet #naturepic #nature_shots #natureshooters

Mid afternoon isn’t the best time of day for shooting at Godafoss but it’s still a fun/beautiful stop on the road to the east coast. . •
•
•
•
•
#5dmarkiv #iceland #godafoss #waterfall #canonusa #naturephotography #landscapephotography #nature #travel #longexposure

Snow puffin! Actually this puffin was hanging out in the tussock grass by the sea but it looked dramatic flying in front of the mountain backdrop. Atlantic puffins face a lot of challenges in the modern world and their numbers are declining. Threats include fishing nets, dwindling food supply, climate change, and the introduction of rats, cats, and dogs to their habitats. •
•
•
•
•
#naturephotography #puffin #atlanticpuffin #birding #birds #birdnerd #iceland #mountains #birdsinflight #5dmarkiv #canonusa #wildlifephotography #wildlife

Want to work together?

Name *

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address *

Subject *

Message *

Recent Work:

Protecting Sanjianggyuan: A marketing and conservation advocacy film for Last Descents River Expeditions, produced in Qinghai, China. Guests with Last Descents experience the Daqu River on the Tibet Plateau. As the headwaters of the Mekong, the Daqu is also the site of Chinas first centrally managed and recognized national park. Through the lens of this river trip, guests consider how to manage the park for conservation.

The Boatman: Derik Spice, a river guide and trip leader for Arizona Rafting Adventures, spends over 140 days per year in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, which gives him a unique incentive to preserve the canyon he calls home.