About

I’m Markus Van Meter — a photographer, storyteller, and creative marketing director shaping visual strategy for brands rooted in the American West. My work sits at the intersection of photography, narrative, and brand identity — where honesty, place, and craft matter more than trends.

For the last 14 years, I’ve lived and worked on Colorado’s Western Slope. This region isn’t just home — it’s the wellspring of my creative vision. From serving as Destination Tourism Marketing Director for the City of Ouray to working as a cowboy on Ralph Lauren’s Double RL Ranch, I’ve seen firsthand how landscape, light, and character shape the stories that define a place.

That’s the lens I bring to every project.

Whether I’m photographing a rancher at sunrise, documenting winter golf in the high country, producing a campaign for a tourism board, or ghostwriting a book for a holistic dentist, the process is the same: listen, observe, slow down, and tell the truth — visually and verbally.

Photography is the backbone of my work, but the work itself is wider.
I build visual systems, shape brand strategy, write stories, design publications, manage content ecosystems, and help small businesses clarify who they are. My approach favors timeless media with depth: images and words that feel rooted, honest, and reflective of the people and places they represent.

That’s the spirit behind The Western Lensman, my fine art magazine and visual archive of the American West.

Today, I split my time between photography, brand consulting, digital marketing, publication work, and visual storytelling for a handful of clients across Colorado. I shoot, write, design, and direct with intention — always with the goal of creating work that lasts.

If you’re here to see the work — or you’re a brand ready to build with substance — welcome.