In the quiet whisper of nature’s beauty, Palos Verdes native Jill Sanders captures the soul of the landscape through her lens, blending art, nature, and personal expression in every shot. A classically trained fine art landscape photographer, Sanders’ work reflects the power of stillness and the transformative influence of the natural world.
Born and raised on the Peninsula, Sanders’ connection to the region is rooted in both family history and a deep love for the landscapes that shaped her creative journey. For Sanders, photography is more than an art form—it’s a lifeline, offering peace and purpose in an ever-changing world. “I’m an artist, and I’m totally a purist,” she says. “The whole point of my photography is to capture what the earth so generously provides us. I don’t want to alter that.”
Her roots in Palos Verdes run deep. Her grandfather, a builder, constructed her family home, and her mother also attended PV High. “I’m local, about as local as you can get,” Sanders reflects. Her childhood, spent primarily with her grandmother and great-grandmother, nurtured her creative spirit. “Photography became a coping mechanism for me,” she shares. “It was my way of processing the world, of coping with everything. I’ve been a photographer forever.”
Her passion for art started early. “I remember in kindergarten, I did a drawing and the teacher called my grandmother to tell her I was tracing it, but I wasn’t,” Sanders recalls. “I was just drawing it myself.” This drive to create never faded. She refined her skills at Chadwick School, where her love for visual storytelling grew. “Arts will never abandon you,” she says. “It’s a constant companion, even when the world feels uncertain.”
For Sanders, photography is a calling. “I’m not hiding from the world behind my camera, but it’s where I’m most comfortable,” she explains. “The camera creates a focal point for me, and I often find peace in the moments behind the lens.”
This connection to her work is evident in her upcoming project: a book titled Stillness. The idea emerged during a period of personal reflection, following medical challenges and the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdown. “I realized that to find meaning in life, I had to return to what made me happy. And that was always being immersed in nature,” Sanders reflects. The book will feature her fine art landscape photography, each image capturing moments of stillness, inviting viewers to reconnect with their inner peace. “It’s about helping people see the world around them and truly notice the beauty that’s right in front of them,” she says.
Sanders hopes the book will remind people of their significance in the grand tapestry of life. “It’s about stopping, looking around, and realizing how connected we are to this earth,” she says thoughtfully.
Sanders’ personal and professional path is shaped by her family. She and her husband, Graham, reside in Palos Verdes, where they cherish any time they can get with their two grown daughters, Finn and Rebecca, who have each built independent lives. Embracing this new chapter, Sanders continues to stay deeply engaged with her community, despite the demands of her photography career.
Sanders’ deep connection to the area is evident from her decade-long success running a gallery in the Hollywood Riviera, which closed after the building was sold. “I’d love to open another gallery one day,” she says, “but it has to be perfect.”
Today, Sanders is always creating, capturing everything from Maui’s whales to Death Valley’s shifting weather patterns. “It’s fun, it’s life,” she says with a smile in her voice. “The seasons offer different palettes, whether it’s snowstorms or monsoon season. I’m always searching for what’s next, what’s blooming.”
As she continues to explore new landscapes, Sanders remains committed to her craft. “I have to keep moving forward,” she says. “That’s what I do. I’m always creating.” Through her lens, she invites us to pause, breathe, and appreciate the simple yet profound beauty of the world, offering moments of stillness and peace in today’s fast-paced world.
