Image by Crystal Wendlandt
About Nashville & North Dakota Photographer Chad Ziemendorf
Curating Moments Of Authentic Connection
A Journey Of Contrasts
My path to becoming a photographer wasn't linear - and that's exactly what gives my work its distinctive character.
After being drafted and spending several years as a catcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization, I attempted commercial real estate brokerage but quickly learned that the cubicle life wasn't for me.
My creative bug led me to picking up a camera, diving headfirst into the craft and business of photography and immersing myself in photojournalism. What began as curiosity quickly evolved into passion, then profession.
From my early work with the San Francisco Chronicle and Reuters to documenting the world headquarters of Twitter, Box and HP, I've always been drawn to the intersection of technical excellence and authentic human experience. This balance of precision and humanity now defines both my commercial work and fine art collections.
COMING SOON - New Portfolios, Case Studies and Print Shop.
Current Work
My work falls into three main buckets: Legacy Project Documentation (like the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library), large Fine-Art Installations that immerse you in peace, resilience, perspective and renewal, and Commercial Assignments for companies large and small.
Where it All Connects
Whether documenting an industrial facility, a landmark construction project, or a fleeting moment of natural beauty, my approach remains consistent: reveal authentic connections through thoughtful visual storytelling.
The mental discipline from my baseball years, the journalistic instincts from my newspaper days, and the quiet contemplation fostered by the Northern Plains all contribute to a distinctive photographic approach that balances technical excellence with genuine human connection.
My greatest satisfaction comes from creating work that leaves people better than I found them - whether through commercial images that serve strategic business objectives or fine art installations that offer psychological sanctuary in an accelerated world.
Looking Forward
I currently divide my time between Nashville, Tennessee and North Dakota, which allows me to maintain connections to both urban energy and rural contemplation. This geographical balance continues to inform my work as I pursue projects that create meaningful visual narratives for both clients and collectors.
I'm always eager to discuss new commercial assignments, legacy documentation opportunities, or fine art acquisitions. My greatest satisfaction comes from creating work that leaves people better than I found them - whether through images that serve strategic business objectives or prints that transform everyday environments into spaces of reflection and renewal.