The Creative Edge: Nature Photographer Kenneth Bogle Adheres to ‘Leave No Trace’ Principles
Kenneth Bogle has loved nature for as long as he can remember. As a child, he spent his time disappearing into the woods, flipping over rocks, catching insects, and studying snakes and other wildlife. That curiosity has never faded.
“I’ve always found the natural world beautiful and peaceful, so photographing it just felt like a natural extension of who I already was,” Kenneth says.
In July 2017, he created Joplin Outdoors to share day trips from the Joplin area, using his cell phone and GoPro to document what he saw.
“I never really started out thinking of myself as a photographer. I was just another nature lover who spent my time hiking, kayaking and exploring.”
His photographs feature trails, rivers, caves, state parks and wildlife in or near the Joplin area. He says photographing nature is very different from photographing people.
“With nature, I don’t have to keep anyone happy or schedule the perfect moment. I just go out and shoot when and where I feel the urge.”
Kenneth says there are no bad days when it comes to capturing nature.
“I never let weather stop me. Some of my best days have been in a downpour, following small creeks to see where they lead.”
Two of his favorite places to photograph are Grand Falls and Wildcat Glades Park because they offer something different in every season. For Kenneth, photography gives him a reason to explore.
“For me, it’s more about being outside and experiencing life the best way I can,” he says.
Kenneth creates new photos and content nearly every week, publishing close to 5,000 on social media each year.
“Social media has been a great way to reach more people with what I love,” he says.
His work can be found on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X (Twitter), where he also issues photography challenges that encourage others to grab their own cameras and snap photos in nature.
He is also committed to Leave No Trace principles, which he describes as enjoying the outdoors without damaging it, packing out what you pack in, respecting wildlife and leaving places better than you found them.
“These places are already fragile, and if we want future generations to experience the same beauty, we have to take care of them now.”
He has organized community cleanups he calls Trash Grabs.
“If everyone picked up just three pieces of trash each trip out and took photos instead of leaving marks on rocks and trees, we could preserve these landscapes for our children and grandchildren.”
Kenneth hopes his work encourages people to appreciate what the Ozarks have to offer.
“I want people to notice the beauty in the everyday places they drive past and feel a connection to the creeks, forests and hills that make this region special,” he says.
Looking ahead, he has no plans to change his focus.
“My goal is to keep exploring, keep learning and keep sharing the story of the Ozarks one photo at a time.”
