TJ Drysdale exploded onto our radar in a big when when his photo “Highlands” landed in the #2 most popular spot of our Top 25 This Week in Popular roundup yesterday.

Highlands by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

The photo (above) was my personal favorite of the whole bunch, and it immediately sent me to his account to see if it was a one-off success or one of many other incredible portraits.

Fortunately, it was the second.

And this is how a young man named TJ Drysdale who I have never met stole the next hour of my life with his talent and mastery of light. There’s just something spectacular about his portraits that transcends the ‘pretty girl outdoors’ trope and takes his work to the next level.

Seeking Silence by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Not My Time by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Forsaken by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Kristen by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Lost Chances by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Emily by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Woman In Black by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

*** by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Cast Ashore by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

At Sea by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Innocence ** by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Madison by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Save Me by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

*** by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Dreams by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Gone by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Heart

Hannah by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

Sunset by TJ Drysdale on 500px.com

If you’re not already following TJ on 500px, what are you doing!? Get on that. And if you’d like to see more of his work, you can also find him on his website and Facebook.