Born and raised in the Baraboo Hills of central Wisconsin, Derrick Mayoleth’s connection to the region runs deep. His photographic journey began in the late 1970s with his father’s Minolta film camera, growing through years of exploring, guiding, and working at local landmarks such as Wollersheim Winery, the International Crane Foundation, and Devil’s Lake State Park.
His time spent introducing others to the region’s natural beauty led him to found Skillet Creek Media in 1996, creating the popular regional resource DevilsLakeWisconsin.com. Since 2009, his daily photography posts on social media have been a personal challenge and a creative ritual—pushing him outdoors in all conditions to uncover something new, even on the days when staying inside is tempting.
Derrick approaches photography as a storyteller, seeking not just to document a place but to capture its essence. His use of color isn’t guided by technical accuracy—it’s about emotion, shaping each image to reflect the feeling of being there. Like a familiar scent unlocking a forgotten memory, his work invites viewers beyond the visual, immersing them in the atmosphere, mood, and story within the frame.
A lifetime of exploration has shaped Derrick’s photographic eye. From sea kayaking around Puerto Rico to trekking across Europe with his wife, Sue—Devil’s Lake State Park’s Naturalist Educator—his experiences in National and State Parks, as well as international landscapes, have deepened his artistic perspective. Yet, it’s the ever-changing moods of the Baraboo Hills that continually call him back. The shifting seasons, dramatic weather, and fleeting light shape his work, capturing not just what is seen, but what is felt in these extraordinary moments of atmosphere and color.