Don Rommes

Don Rommes (Blaine, Washington) is a retired neonatologist who, long ago, took up photography as a creative outlet. The quiet of the Utah canyons and the slow, deliberate process of large-format film photography provided a comforting counterbalance to the stressful environment of the intensive care nursery. 

Over the years, digital photography has replaced film and darkrooms for Don, and the printing of individual fine art prints has shifted toward photo book projects focused on conserving sensitive public lands. The resulting books, which draw from personal experiences and images captured during his extensive exploration of the backcountry, have helped preserve several cultural landscapes in southern Utah. 

 Don’s photographs have been displayed at the Smithsonian and BLM visitor centers in the Southwest as part of efforts to protect federal lands that eventually became Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Don has explored and photographed many of the Escalante River Canyons. The best of his photos and stories are assembled in the E-book Escalante Canyons — A Forty-Year Infatuation. It is also available as a large hardcover book on Blurb here.

Don’s first published book, Cliff Dwellers of Cedar Mesa, now out of print, has been made available in an E-book version. The printed book served as the visual reference for a multicultural collaborative project that contributed to the creation of Bears Ears National Monument.

  Don’s follow-up book, Bears Ears — A Visual Introduction, was published in 2024 after the creation of the Monument and the re-establishment of its original borders, which the first Trump administration had severely reduced. Since the size and very existence of the Monument are once again threatened, this book may help motivate people to support its continued preservation.

Don and his wife, Nancy, own Iris Arts — Art for Healthcare. Their online company licenses nature-based photography to art consultants working in healthcare and corporate settings. More of Don’s photography and the E-book versions of his books can be found on Don and Nancy’s website at: https://www.rommesarts.com.

Don and Bruce have worked together on photo workshops in southern Utah for twenty-five years. Although they have different but related interests and skills in photography, their long-term partnership and dedication to teaching ensure that the knowledge they freely share is cumulative, complementary, and tailored to each student, providing a rich workshop experience for participants of all skill levels.