Washington State nature photographer opens new gallery on East side

Bellingham-based photographer Peter James will be expanding his business to the East side this spring. The Peter James Photography Gallery is slated to open in downtown Leavenworth in April 2024.

James specializes in Washington State’s natural scenery, which he has been photographing for over 20 years. His photography is showcased on “larger than life” metal prints, making the viewer feel as if they were there.

“I think most people have had at least one experience in nature where they were just really deeply moved. And that’s actually the goal of all my photography, is to recreate that, like let them viscerally have that experience on a daily basis,” said James.

Printing incredibly high-resolution photos on metal, as opposed to canvas, allows James to create scalable pieces, from very small up to 30 feet wide. The larger pieces are fit for hospitals and corporate offices, which benefit from the inclusion of nature, says James.

“Employers and business owners are always looking for ways to improve the experience for both their customers and their employees. So, adding vibrant photographs of Washington State's most beautiful places can be a super effective way to have a huge impact on the way all of their stakeholders perceive their company,” said James.

The metal prints are also durable by nature, giving them a longer life. They can also be sanitized, making it optimal for a hospital setting. 

James will often have businesses take photos of their spaces and then create realistic digitized mock-ups of what a print would look like in that space. However, James encourages potential buyers to see the photos in person first.

“They look so much more realistic, dimensional, and luminous in person,” said James.

The Leavenworth Gallery will be a 3,500-square-foot showroom at 633 Front Street, which visitors can find by looking for the mural of Mt. Rainier and a photographer in lederhosen above its doors. It will have a consultation lounge, an outdoor balcony overlooking the river, and a gift shop. Visitors can take home or ship smaller pieces or custom order larger prints to fit a specific space.

The Leavenworth location is an addendum to James’ first gallery, which he opened in Bellingham five years ago. James decided to open up his second location during one of many visits over the decades. He spent the last year walking up and down Front Street, talking to shop owners, and waiting for an opening.

“Honestly, I would have waited three years. I would have waited as long as it took. I knew in my heart that it was meant to happen. Washingtonians and visitors to Washington love the nature here and they get lit up by it, and want to see more of it,” said James.

Over that year, James dedicated time to photographing the Upper Valley, which will be prevalent in the gallery. James has unique shots of the Cashmere Hills, Icicle Creek, and Tumwater Canyon. His favorite spot, however, is in the heart of town.

“I actually really love Waterfront Park because it's such a gem, and it's just right there. You have that beautiful view of mountains, you get the river, and you see the families having fun and feeding the ducks, and it's just a really special place,” said James.

It is anticipated that the gallery will open on April 1. The gallery will be open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media