“I love taking pictures. When I ask myself, do I want to pursue a job I have no passion for or do I want to pursue something I love? I choose to chase my passion over the rest.”

Passion, in every sense of the word, is central to 27-year-old photographer, traveler and entrepreneur Brian Cunningham’s life. Born and raised in Berlin, Cunningham has been taking photos since he was 13. However, he didn’t start getting serious about his craft until a decade later.

“I got a job doing school day photography in New Hampshire. I was working as a landscaper the summer before I got the job. I was so thrilled to not have to do landscaping anymore and even more thrilled to be behind a camera for my job!” Cunningham recalled. “Since I worked hard and was eager to learn more, the managers there sort of took me under their wing and taught me everything they know.”

Now at the helm of his own altered Vision photography, Cunningham said he has found inspiration in capturing his two favorite things – “landscapes and my wife, Victoria.”

Although Cunningham has never formally studied photography (he studied telecommunications in high school), he has learned his craft from photographers that came before him, such as Ansel Adams. “He inspired me and still does. Chris Burkard is another photographer that influences me to be better and grow as a photographer. Chris Burkard has a studio in California and has written books and directed some of his own films. He is a big inspiration to me.”

Now, Cunningham and his wife are traveling throughout the U.S., capturing the varied landscape of the country.

“I wanted to feel freedom, and I wanted to experience new things. I am a person who loves change. I blame it on the fact that I’m a Gemini, but for whatever reason, I don’t like routine.”

As the couple makes their way across the country, Cunningham is finding plenty of fodder for his camera.

“I love the mountains. Colorado is a fun place to photograph. I am looking forward to getting back to Utah (Arches National Park); Sedona, Ariz.; Joshua Tree National Park in California; Yosemite. Those are a few of my favorites. My plans are always pretty loose. I would like to go to Indonesia, Thailand, Norway, Japan, Switzerland.”

In 2015, while on a road trip with Victoria, Cunningham was inspired to create VanLife Clothing, which the couple sells out of their van as they travel the country.

“I’ve always loved to create. I love art; I love design; I want to inspire,” Cunningham said. “So when the idea popped into my head [to] sell shirts from our van as we travel around the country, I was all for it.”

Cunningham is still exploring the western part of the U.S., then may head to Canada before returning to New England to pursue his dreams locally.

“I will be 37 in 10 years, so by then, I guess I’d like to have a house, preferably a cabin in the woods, maybe a few kids, my own studio/store where I can sell my photos and VanLife Clothing and Victoria can sell her stones, gems and crystals. Or I can see myself living in the Philippines, preparing for a trip through Southeast Asia. I don’t know. There are so many places to see! I hope to see them all.”

As for advice to photographers, Cunningham said, “Just keep shooting what you love. Keep studying about photography and use every avenue you can to share your photos with people. Social media is a good platform to display your work, but also don’t forget about galleries, coffee shops, boutiques, etc. There is definitely a lot of talent in Massachusetts. I don’t have any names for upcoming talent, but they are out there, so shout out to them.”

For more information, visit alteredvision.photography or vanlifeclothing.com.

By Audra Brackett