Dark Skies: Rare Phenomena in America’s Public Lands
Photography Book

PREORDER DARK SKIES
COMING OCTOBER 2025

A stunning landscape photography book for lovers of national parks photography, astrophotography, and rare natural phenomena. Dark Skies captures breathtaking scenes of night sky photography, from firefall in Yosemite to synchronous fireflies, moonbows, meteors, comets, and the Aurora Borealis—perfect for outdoor adventure seekers and armchair travelers alike.

This book is my love letter to the National Park System. It explores America’s best idea in a way you haven’t seen before. After dark, when most of the crowds have gone home and you have the forest to yourself. At those special times where—if everything lines up just right—you have a chance to see something that’s once in a lifetime.

A waterfall that catches fire at sunset for two weeks.

Thousands of fireflies blinking in synchronicity for one week in one campground.

A comet streaking over Death Valley once every sixty thousand years.

A rainbow caused by moonlight 3 times a year.

This book makes it so you don’t have to go further than your couch to see things most people never get to experience. But maybe it inspires you add these things to your bucket list and start checking them off. Nothing would make me happier.

With over 150 pages of national parks photography, personal stories, and natural wonders, Dark Skies is for readers who love stargazing, hiking and photography, conservation, and bucket list adventures. It’s a celebration of American public lands and the awe-inspiring beauty of staying outdoors long after the sun goes down, a must-have gift for any nature lover or solo traveler’s collection.

About my journey to make this book:

Without COVID, this book doesn’t happen.

I’d had the idea for this book rattling around in my head for a few years. But it wasn’t until 2020 when I suddenly found myself laid off of work with no prospects in sight. I decided to make the most of it, and set out on a road trip that hit 14 parks in 14 days.

I slept and ate out of my car. Had most of the parks completely to myself. Even no rangers, since most visitor’s centers weren’t staffed. I basked in the iconic places like Yellowstone, and got surprised by hidden gems like Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Then I did it again in 2021. 14 parks in 14 days, ending in Yosemite for my first time witnessing Firefall.

Since then, I’ve tried (and often failed) for years to photograph things like eclipses, meteors, moonbows, and the syncronous fireflies. The last miracle of nature I needed was the Northern Lights. I bought a one-way ticket to Alaska, refusing to leave until I saw them.

I’ve driven 20+ hours to see an annular eclipse that takes 2 hours, and then driven 20+ hours back home immediately. I’ve hiked mile after mile in the cold of the middle of the night clutching my tripod, ready to defend myself against animals of the night.

I’ve been luckier than I can imagine. I’ve seen nature do amazing things.

PREORDER DARK SKIES (OCTOBER 2025)

About the book:

• Linen hardcover with foil stamped title
• Dust jacket
• 100 lb. matte paper
  
• Premium quality inks
  
• Fabric ribbon bookmark
• Individually numbered and signed (optional)
  

About me:

Jeff is an award-winning photographer and has visited all 7 continents, all 50 U.S. states in the U.S, and over 20 countries.

He funds his wanderlust and parkaholic habits as a content strategist. He lives in Chicago with his wife, three children, and rotating menagerie of animals.

SUBSCRIBE AND GET "3 KEYS TO SHOOTING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS"