Peter Lik has spent over 35 years pushing the boundaries of fine art. A self-taught pioneer in the field of landscape photography, he has become synonymous with pristine images of cascading waterfalls, ethereal mountain peaks and peaceful desert canyons.
Peter has been shooting expansive scenes of Mother Nature his whole life. Born in Melbourne, Australia to hardworking Czech immigrants, he never took the gift of life's beauty for granted. Peter's catalogue of work can be traced back to the essential moment when, at 8 years of age, the gift of a Brownie Kodak camera from his
parents set him on a course for destiny. Since his first, fateful snapshot of a spider web in the family garden, Peter has followed his calling to capture and share the most beautiful places on earth.
It was after a trip to the United States in 1984, that Peter discovered the panoramic camera format, a defining moment in his career. Challenged with the dare to "go big or go home," Peter did both. For the next two decades, Peter would travel back and forth between the United States and his native Australia, honing his craft and establishing his prominent position in the world of fine art photography.
In the late 90s, Peter took a giant leap forward, taking on a massive project now known as Spirit of America. After fifty thousand miles and 1,000 rolls of film, Peter had revealed landscapes from all 50 United States, completing the "biggest challenge of my life." From there, it was only onward and upward for this remarkable success story.
More landmarks for Lik came in 2011 and 2012, when his iconic images Ghost and the highly awarded Inner Peace, would both be featured on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. It was on the heels of these major accomplishments that Peter jumped straight into the heart of mainstream culture by starring in the NBC-produced TV series, From the Edge with Peter Lik. He had officially become a household name.
In 2014, Peter shattered all world records by selling the most expensive photograph in history. Phantom, his black & white masterwork depicting a ghostlike image at Antelope Canyon, was acquired for an astounding $6.5 million. To accompany this sale, Peter's images Illusion and Eternal Moods were also acquired for $2.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Along with his sale of One for $1 million in 2010, Peter now holds four spots out of the top twenty most expensive photographs ever sold. These historic acquisitions not only gained Peter international acclaim, they secured his position as a leader in the field of fine art photography.
Amongst the hundreds of prestigious accolades and merits garnered over the years, Peter has been awarded the title of Master Photographer from the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, Professional Photographers of America, Federation of European Photographers and Master Photographers International along with Fellowships from the British Institute of Professional Photographers, The American Society of Photographers and The Royal Photographic Society.
Lik's masterworks include Pele's Whisper (shown above), Sacred Sunrise, Eternal Beauty and the highly acclaimed Ghost. He has sold upwards of $700 million of artwork to his many valued collectors, including royalty, presidents and celebrities. Peter's images can be viewed in luxurious hotels, prominent estates, leading corporate offices and in all of his galleries around the US.
It all started in the suburbs of Melbourne with a Kodak Brownie camera given to him by his parents on his eighth birthday. His first photograph was of a spider web with dew on it. From day one, nature was his favorite subject.
Getting his car and license for the first time, Peter travels to the Victorian countryside and shoots his first transparency, an image of two driftwood trees.
Visiting the United States for the first time, Peter discovers the medium format camera. Finally, Peter could share the world as he saw it. This goes on to become one of the most defining moments in his career.
Peter sells his first commercial photograph to a calendar company in downtown San Francisco for $50.00.
Peter turns his sites on a new massive project, now known as Spirit of America. Over four years, fifty thousand miles and 1,000 rolls of film, later Peter had revealed landscapes from all 50 United States.
Peter published his first book, Cairnes, under his newly launched publishing company before going on to publish another 19 sold out titles highlighting the diverse beauty of the Australian countryside.
In 1997, Peter opened his first of four Peter Lik Wilderness Galleries in Australia in the beautiful coastal city of Cairns.
Peter’s masterwork, Lone Shack is recognized by the AIPP in their annual photographic competition becoming the first of over 500 international awards and honors received to date.
Peter expands his Fine Art Galleries to the United States, debuting at San Francisco's iconic Pier 39.
Peter is awarded the Master of Photography degree from the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers.
After years in the making, Peter launches his now sold out epic collection of fine art photography known simply as the "Big Book".
Peter receives his Master of Photography degree from the Professional Photographers of America, the largest non-profit Photography association in the world.
The shot, taken just after dawn on the banks of the Androscoggin River in New Hampshire, resembles an impressionist painting. Peter named it One because it was a fleeting, singular opportunity; he felt a oneness with the moment and with nature; and he hit the shutter just once.
Peter jumps straight into the heart of mainstream culture by starring in the NBC-produced TV series, From the Edge with Peter Lik aired on The Weather Channel.
After a Windland Smith Rice International Award win, Ghost goes on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C.
Inner Peace is displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History after it garners Peter back-to-back Windland Smith Rice International Awards.
After close to 30 years since his first visit to the States, Peter’s lifelong dream comes true when he is proudly sworn in as a United States citizen.
Peter Lik shatters all world records by selling the most expensive photograph in history. Phantom is acquired by a private collector for an astounding $6.5 million.
Narrowed down from over one million frames and representing over
35 years of Peter’s career, this impressive 106-pound book is a virtual gallery within itself.
Peter becomes only the 13th member of this very exclusive club when the Professional Photographers of America honor him at their 2015 Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
It is a photographic dream come true – two renowned leaders in their respective industries, coming together in celebration of the next step in camera phone evolution.
Peter is awarded the coveted Fellowship degree by the American Society of Photographers for his exemplary work and aspiring achievement. He became only the 118th member in the 80 year history of the organization
Peter is awarded the Master of Photography degree from the prestigious Federation of European Photographers.
