61. A Photographer with the Most Important Skill: Passion

If you don’t know Donald Kinney’s work and story, you should.

Oct 31, 2025

Donald Kinney

Years ago, I started noticing extraordinary photographs of Marin County appearing in online Bay Area photography groups. Over time, I learned they were by Donald Kinney — and once I heard his story, it’s always inspired me. Since then, I’ve seen his exhibits, purchased his books, met him, and — delightfully — photographed alongside him a few times.

Here is his story:

Meeting Ansel Adams

My first images were color slides taken while I was backpacking along the eastern slopes of the Sierra. My jaw dropped when they came back from Kodak. I was 12 years old. It’s such a vivid memory—I knew right then that I wanted to be a photographer.
I was the lucky boy growing up on the Monterey Peninsula, walking in the footprints of Weston and Adams.
Instead of doing homework, I spent every minute outside shooting pictures or developing in the darkroom. Deep inside was this glorious feeling that I finally had a voice. And inspiration would find me when I least expected it.
I was photographing the same things Ansel Adams was photographing, and as a teenager, I saw him. It was a bright, chilly morning in Carmel when I spotted the man I admired, if not idolized. There was Adams in the flesh—bushy beard, string tie, wide-brimmed hat, and confident stride. I recall his voice was high-pitched, yet soft. He seemed to have a kind manner but I was very shy in those days. I couldn’t approach him, but I left a message on his windshield.
I get this card in the mail about a week later that says, “Give me a phone call, and we’ll arrange a time for you to come over.” I give him a call and half an hour later, I am sitting in his living room.
He looked at my photographs, which weren’t good, and told me how I could improve each and every one of them. His advice was inspirational, yet humbling.
I invited myself back to his house a few months later after working on what he told me. I had apparently improved quite a bit and he complimented me. The highlight of my life was meeting him but beyond his willingness to share his technical secrets, he taught me a lesson in generosity.

Donald wanted to build a life centered around photography. He attended Brooks Institute for a semester but became disillusioned with its emphasis on photography as a business rather than a creative practice. He moved to the Bay Area and went to work — unfortunately, not doing photography.

A life away from photography

I worked at mundane jobs in manufacturing and retail, all the while complaining: “On a day like this Ansel Adams would be out photographing.”

For the next 30 years, Donald mostly looked out the window at what he was missing —photographing whenever he could — but never enough to satisfy his cravings.

When he retired early, he dove back into photography full-time. For the last 22 years, he’s been doing what he loves most.

Now: Eating, sleeping and breathing photography 24/7

A few years ago, he described his daily rhythm this way:

As it was in my youth—more or less—I eat, sleep and breathe photography, 24/7. I’m living my dream!
My days start well before sunrise—just me, with prayers for atmospheric drama. Some days I photograph on the shore of San Pablo Bay; other days I head down to the Golden Gate Bridge. On a different morning, I may be captivated by the sun struggling to break through clouds above the lake in west Marin.

May be an image of wading bird, sea bird, swan, goose, nature and lake — Snowy White Egret in flight over Corte Madera Creek in 2018.

Ripples and reflections of our creeks put on a wonderful show. I never know what I will discover during a hike through redwoods and ferns, or in my own backyard where I’m greeted by a mother deer and her fawns. I am a lucky guy. I have developed a voice and I appreciate beauty.

A new chapter: San Francisco

Donald loves Marin County, which he captured like no one else. But two years ago, to his surprise, Donald moved to San Francisco.

I never imagined I’d be living in the City, but here I am!

His subject matter changed, but his artistry didn’t. The city simply gave him new patterns, textures, and light to explore.

May be a black-and-white image of road — Streetcar tracks, this way and that...

The key to amazing photography

As you learn about Donald or get to know him, you realize that his photography is built on dedication, hard work, persistence, practice, and most of all, passion.

Generosity is a lifelong gift

The key lesson Adams taught Donald clearly stuck because he’s also one of the kindest, humblest, and most generous photographers you’ll ever meet.

See more pictures, or get some for yourself

Donald sells prints and photo books but that’s not his goal. His goal is to fulfill his lifelong drive to capture and share the beauty he sees. That said I encourage you to buy one of his books or a print if you can!

If you want to hear Donald tell his story and discuss his photography, watch the interview below. Then keep scrolling for more of Donald’s photos or look for him on Facebook at: facebook.com/donald.kinney1