The Journey/Blog

Outdoor Photographer Magazine Feature | Ryan Smith & Lindsay Marie Zingg

FEATURED IN OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER MAGAZINE

The Art of Autumn Color

Photography by Ryan Smith • Story by Lindsay Marie Zingg

Published in Outdoor Photographer Magazine • Volume 5 • 2026

Our ICON Vision

Before sharing this feature, I think it's important to understand what ICONS truly is - and why it exists.

ICONS was never created simply to offer photography workshops, guided adventures, or beautiful destinations. Those are only the vehicles.

At its heart, ICONS is about people.

It's about creating places where people come alive again.

Where creativity returns.

Where meaningful connection replaces isolation.

Where someone is reminded they still have dreams worth chasing.

Photography is the language we speak, but transformation, purpose, adventure, healing, and authentic human connection are the deeper mission behind everything we do.

The more I reflect on this journey, the more I realize my life was never meant to be built solely around creating photographs. It was meant to help elevate the people around me.

ICONS is simply the expression of that purpose.

We strive to create an environment free from comparison, free from ego, and free from the pressure to prove yourself.

Whether you're picking up a camera for the first time or have photographed professionally for decades, everyone stands on equal ground.

Many who join us are carrying far more than camera gear.

Some are navigating seasons of loss.

Others are rebuilding confidence, searching for direction, overcoming burnout, or simply longing to reconnect with the wonder they once felt.

Our hope is simple.

That every person leaves with stronger photographs.

Better friendships.

Greater confidence.

And a renewed appreciation for both the world around them and the life they're creating.

That is the vision we're building.

A New Chapter

Every meaningful journey eventually reaches a moment where it begins to grow beyond one person.

For ICONS, this is that moment.

An exciting development in 2026 has been welcoming Lindsay Marie Zingg to the ICONS team.

As a Photography Guide, Writer, and Creative Director, Lindsay brings a rare combination of artistic vision, thoughtful storytelling, and genuine care for people.

While this Outdoor Photographer feature marks our first nationally published collaboration, it also represents something much larger.

It reflects the direction ICONS is heading.

A future where photography, storytelling, education, hospitality, and authentic human connection come together to create experiences that stay with people long after they return home.

Meet Lindsay Marie Zingg

Guide • Writer • Creative Director • Strategic Partner

Photography has always been about more than creating beautiful images.

The same is true of storytelling.

Lindsay has a remarkable ability to discover the deeper meaning behind both.

Growing up in the Chicago area, she developed an appreciation for architecture, travel, and the stories that connect them. Today, that perspective shapes both her photography and her writing.

As a photographer, she is drawn to quiet moments, subtle light, intimate landscapes, architectural beauty, and the details many people overlook.

As a writer, she transforms conversations and experiences into stories that inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection.

As a guide, she helps guests feel welcomed, supported, encouraged, and confident—regardless of their experience level.

As a Creative Director she also plays an important role in helping shape the future of the ICONS experience.

Her work includes:

Workshop Guide
Editorial Storytelling
Photography
Community Building
Educational Content
Workshop Planning
Visual Communication

Most importantly...

She shares the same belief that sits at the heart of ICONS:

Photography is ultimately about people.

Guiding in the Field

The best workshops are about more than great photographs - they're about the people who help create the experience.

Since joining the ICONS team, Lindsay has become an important part of that experience.

Her ability to encourage others, notice the small details, anticipate guests' needs, and create genuine connections brings an added dimension to every workshop.

Whether she's assisting photographers in the field, documenting meaningful moments, contributing to creative direction, or simply helping guests feel at home, Lindsay approaches every adventure with warmth, curiosity, and intention.

She shares the belief that the most memorable workshops are measured not only by the photographs created, but by the friendships formed, the confidence gained, and the experiences shared.

A Photographer in Her Own Right

Lindsay isn't simply documenting workshops.

She is building an impressive body of work of her own.

She is drawn toward intimate landscapes, architectural beauty, quiet moments, and the authentic character of every destination she visits.

Rather than chasing only iconic scenes, Lindsay creates imagery that invites viewers to slow down, look more carefully, and experience a place more deeply.

Her photographs remind us that meaningful images are often found not only in the grand moments, but in the spaces between them.

(Featured Gallery of Lindsay's Photography)

Ryan Smith and Lindsay Zingg Featured in Outdoor Photographer Magazine

When Outdoor Photographer Magazine approached Ryan about creating a feature on autumn photography, it presented an opportunity to do something different.

Rather than publishing another technical tutorial, we wanted to tell a meaningful story.

Ryan contributed decades of photographic experience, artistic philosophy, and imagery from some of North America's most spectacular autumn landscapes.

Lindsay transformed those conversations into an engaging narrative that explores not only how photographs are created - but why they matter.

The result became The Art of Autumn Color, an eleven-page editorial feature combining photography and storytelling into one cohesive experience.

For our team, it represents the perfect reflection of what ICONS has become.

Photography and human connection.

Education and inspiration.

Adventure and storytelling.

The Future of ICONS

As ICONS continues to grow, our vision extends far beyond adding new destinations.

We're building experiences.

We're building friendships.

We're building a creative community where people feel welcomed, encouraged, challenged, and inspired.

The publication of The Art of Autumn Color represents more than a magazine feature—it reflects the next chapter of ICONS.

What began as a passion for photography continues to grow through a team of talented guides, educators, storytellers, guest experience specialists, and operations leaders who all share the same purpose: creating extraordinary experiences for photographers around the world.

Together, we're committed to helping people create stronger images, build lasting friendships, and experience the world more deeply.

The best adventures are never built by one person.

They're built by great people united by a shared purpose.

Experience the Story

Below you'll find the complete eleven-page feature as it appeared in Outdoor Photographer Magazine.

We hope you enjoy experiencing it as much as we enjoyed creating it together.

Join Us

Whether you're photographing the bears of Katmai, chasing autumn color beneath the Tetons, exploring the villages of Cinque Terre, or standing beside us somewhere new in the future, our hope remains the same.

That you'll leave with more than remarkable photographs.

You'll leave with meaningful friendships.

A renewed sense of creativity.

Greater confidence in your own artistic voice.

And memories that continue shaping your life long after the journey ends.

Welcome to ICONS.

We're grateful you're here.