Wildlife photographer, Russell Graves, is known to many as Mr. Texas. It’s a fitting name for the lifelong Texan who has spent four decades capturing the spirit of the state’s rural people and places. His photography adventures haven’t stopped at the state border, though, as Russell’s work has taken him across the globe, and now he’s taking others with him.
Graves has built a career around using photography to help people see the significance of wildlife and landscapes too often overlooked. Today, through his company Hackberry Farm Workshops, he leads photography adventure trips to remote regions around the world. Think of these as hunting trips, but instead of bringing a rifle or a bow, you hunt with a camera while being immersed in spectacular outdoors destinations.
Graves picked up a camera at 17 years old and never put it down. Over the years he built a professional career photographing wildlife, rural landscapes, and outdoor culture. His work grew alongside his love for the countryside of Texas, where he spent much of his life living and working in rural communities.
Graves’ passions for photography and teaching collide on these adventure trips. Before photography became his full-time career, Graves spent years as a successful teacher in Texas. He earned numerous awards for his work in education and could have easily remained in the profession until retirement. Instead, he chose to pursue his growing passion for outdoor photography and storytelling.
Graves is skilled at instruction. So, while you are out in the field with him, he will work with you to ensure you are capturing high-quality images. Many people buy expensive cameras, but never really learn how to use them to their potential. After a few days under Graves’ instruction, you’ll be able to use all the functions of your equipment.
After working as a publication and corporate photographer for many years, with numerous magazine covers to his credit, Graves discovered the concept of outdoor photography workshops. After attending a few, he became determined to start offering his own photography adventures to clients who appreciate everything you would find on a guided hunting or fishing trip but simply prefer using a camera.
Graves first honed his skills as a guide for another company that offers photography adventures but soon decided to launch his own venture. Three years ago, he stepped out on his own and created Hackberry Farm Workshops, a photography travel business based on the land where he lives in northeast Texas.
“I instantly knew this was something I was good at,” Graves explains. “It combined my love of photography, the outdoors, and teaching people.”
Success came quick as Graves’ reputation grew trip after trip. He’s now offering adventures in places like Death Valley, the Netherlands, Alaska, the Smoky Mountains, Costa Rica, Botswana, and more. When visiting these amazing destinations, Graves partners with top-notch lodging, food, and service providers to ensure you have a world-class experience.
“Those out-of-the-way places have something special to show the world,” Graves says. “I’ve always loved telling the story of those places.”
The name of his business reflects Graves’ devotion to authenticity. Hackberry Farm has been in his family for decades and is named for a lone hackberry tree in the middle of a field where an old homestead once stood. Rather than choosing a flashy business name, Graves leaned into his rural roots.
“I had a marketing executive tell me not to try to be anyone else,” Graves says. “Just be yourself.”
Participants range widely in their photography experience. Some arrive as seasoned photographers who have traveled extensively, while others are newer to the craft and looking to build their skills. Graves designs each trip to accommodate both groups.
“Some people just need to be shown where to go,” he says. “Others are still learning their way through photography. The goal is to create trips that work for everyone.”
Beyond simply teaching camera techniques, Graves emphasizes immersive storytelling. Each destination is carefully researched so participants understand the cultural and environmental context of the places they photograph. The travelers become part of the local scene.
“We don’t just show up and take pictures,” Graves says. “We try to understand the place and the people who live there.”
This immersive approach has helped the business grow rapidly. Because for Graves, the purpose of these trips goes beyond travel and photography. His deeper mission is to connect people from urban or suburban backgrounds to the natural world and to communities that live closest to it.
“I get a lot of people who don’t traditionally spend much time outdoors,” he explains. “They live in cities and just want the chance to experience wild places.”
Through photography, those travelers begin to see landscapes and rural cultures differently. In the end, Graves hopes participants leave with more than beautiful images.
“My goal is simple,” he says. “Introduce people to the outdoors, introduce them to rural places, and get them to care about it.”
For Russell Graves, wildlife photography isn’t just about capturing an image. It is about building a deeper appreciation for the land, the people who live there, and the wild places that still exist beyond the edges of the modern world.
See you down the trail…
Brandon Butler
driftwoodoutdoors@gmail.com
Pic: Hackberry Farms nature photography workshops take wildlife photographers of all skill levels on adventures around the world.
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