What started as a shared love of exploring and photographing Georgia’s landscapes has become a nationally celebrated adventure—and now, an Emmy Award-nominated one. “View Finders,” a television series hosted by professional photographers Chris Greer and Paul Daniel currently on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), showcases stunning nature scenes, educates on conservation and provides photography tips.
Since Flagpole last spoke with Greer in 2022, the show has grown far beyond its Southern roots. Season three, which kicked off on Mar. 17, explores Grand Teton National Park, Wind River Range, White Mountain National Forest and more of America’s unique geographical destinations set to a soundtrack that spans from Hozier to Athens’ own Hotel Fiction.
“It’s been a whirlwind since then,” says Greer, a resident of Watkinsville and professor at Georgia College and State University. “The show has grown tremendously, and now it’s been picked up for national distribution, so we have a much bigger audience. It’s kind of transformed from a Georgia-based television show to a national television show, and this season reflects that national footprint.”
“View Finders” is the brainchild of Greer and Jason Clemmons, who co-hosted the show in season one. Initially starting out as making videos for YouTube, Greer made a successful pitch to Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), which greenlit the first five episodes. In 2023, two successful seasons later, Greer traveled to California to pitch “View Finders” to more than 300 PBS markets around the United States.
“I’ve always kind of believed that this could really slot in nicely nationally because there’s really no photography TV shows out there,” Greer says.” But photography is a very popular hobby across so many demographics, so it just felt like there was this opening and nobody had filled it.”
With recent budget cuts and staffing reductions to the National Park Service, Greer says there’s a renewed focus on public lands and conservation awareness. “View Finders” reflects this by spotlighting the beauty and ecological significance of each location. The show regularly features voices from the field—including park rangers, ecologists, historians and academics—that offer insight and context beyond the visuals.
“We need to protect some of these places so they don’t turn into developments and condos and all of that,” Greer says. “That’s part of what the show does, it creates this awareness of some locations that the audience haven’t been to. I think the show wants to convey how important these places are and why they need to be preserved.”
Beyond the landscapes and expert perspectives, Greer says the show’s soundtrack has become a signature element of the series. While new episodes feature mainstream artists like Hozier and Bon Iver, Athens locals are also present. A few of note include Grassland String Band, Family and Friends and Hotel Fiction.
“Combining powerful music with really powerful visuals creates a really immersive experience,” he says. “It’s not something that’s been done very much. In travel shows they use pretty standard music tracks and we wanted to enhance what we’re able to capture with our cameras through the songs featured as well.”
Regardless of how much it expands, Greer’s commitment to conservation, education and an excellent soundtrack that makes the show a hometown favorite remains true.
“We’re just trying to bring the beauty of our planet into people’s living rooms,” he says. “At the end of the day, all of us on this team are passionate about the show.”
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