Lee Klopfer was born in Buffalo, New York. He attended the Utah State University, University of New Mexico and University of Denver, graduating with degrees in Photography and Landscape Architecture. He’s been a resident of Santa Fe, NM for more than 30 years. The artist has won awards for his Horticulture, Equestrian and Sports photography.
He has also been a professional Emergency Medical Technician and Ski Instructor as well as a professional Ski Patroller. Klopfer has advanced skills in Wilderness/Emergency medicine, avalanche awareness and rescue, high angle rescue, and backcountry skiing. His mountaineering experience has included many of the most sought after routes in Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and other North American peaks. Some of his clients and publications include DeBella Fine Jewelry, Lori Lanier – Real Estate, Clemens & Associates, Tresa Vorenberg Goldsmiths, San Juan Mountain Guides, Paradigm Art Gallery, Santa Fe Artworld, Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe and Cooking School, Rancho Vistoso Andalusians, Kiva Fine Art, Flint Meadow, Queen’s Ransom, Romancing The Stone, among others.
His high alpine job has taken him to imposing locations around the world, including Mt. Kenya in Kenya, Aconcagua in South America, Denali in Alaska, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and Pumori in Nepal. The photographer is also a guide with S2 Mountaineering. S2 Mountaineering is a guiding business designed to introduce people to mountaineering in Santa Fe. Apart from being an award-winning photographer, he also designs web sites and creates ad layouts for many of his clients. Klopfer is also an Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop.