Outdoor Photographer Magazine Returns

by Scott Setterberg July 11, 2025

This morning, after posting about one of my upcoming Costa Rica photography workshops on Facebook, I did something I rarely do - scrolled my newsfeed. To my surprise, the top post wasn’t another sponsored ad or random meme. It was from Outdoor Photographer, announcing its official return. That’s right - one of the most beloved nature photography magazines, that disappeared overnight, is making a comeback.

If you’ve been in the photography industry for any length of time, you know Outdoor Photographer wasn’t just another glossy publication - it was a pillar in the landscape and wildlife photography community. It inspired generations of outdoor photographers, hobbyists, and pros alike.

A Troubled Past

A couple years ago, after being acquired by a new company, Outdoor Photographer unceremoniously shut down. Long before that, though, cracks were already showing. Contributors went unpaid. Subscribers reported missing issues. Creative content gave way to a flood of ads. Print quality dropped, literally - to thinner paper stock.

As someone who advertised with them for years, I saw the decline firsthand. I had regular monthly contact with my ad rep until May 2023, when I received a sudden email explaining that the magazine had been sold, half the staff laid off, and the future was in serious jeopardy.

Within weeks, the Outdoor Photographer website was gone. No updates. No goodbye. Just a vanished legacy.

A Bittersweet Return

Now, in 2025, Outdoor Photographer is back - with a new team, a new direction, and a lot to prove. Reactions have been mixed. On one hand, photographers are thrilled. It feels like an old friend has returned. On the other hand, many feel burned. Trust was broken. Content creators went unpaid. Subscribers lost out. Advertisers - myself included - were left in the dark.

That kind of damage takes time to repair. To their credit, the new Outdoor Photographer leadership appears to be rebuilding thoughtfully. Many former staff members have been rehired. The editorial vision seems more aligned with what photographers actually want - meaningful, artistic, nature-driven content. The website is back online and functional.

Watching Closely

As someone with 35 years in this industry - and a deep passion for landscape photography and sharing it through photo workshops in Costa Rica and the Pacific Northwest - I’m cautiously optimistic. Outdoor Photographer was always a source of creative energy for me and many of my clients. I’d love to see it rise again, not just as a brand, but as a trusted source of inspiration and education for the next generation of nature photographers.

But for now, I’m just watching. With fresh leadership and a renewed vision, hopefully this time around Outdoor Photographer can live up to its legacy.