July is Wild for Wildlife Month! This observance was established in 1984 by the International Fund of Animal Welfare to draw attention to the important job of conserving our natural places and the threats facing wildlife and their habitats.
The ultimate goal of my recent book Wild Lives was much the same – to share photos of incredible creatures from every diverse biome on the planet, as well as many of the positive stories that see many species reconciling their place together with human populations ever on the rise.
Enjoy the photos, celebrate Wild for Wildlife month, and have a spectacular summer!
Q2 2024 photos are here! Spring kicked of with a trip to Kyoto, Japan where I aimed to capture more images of life amidst a Buddhist temple for my upcoming book on world religion and spirituality. Nestled harmoniously within the surrounding flora, this was also an opportunity to photograph landscapes and abstracts.
It was quite a shock to the system, then, to go from the serenity of temples and silent forests to the bustle and buzz of Delhi, India where millions gathered in celebration of Eid al-Fitr. I managed to find myself a perch up above the worshipping crowds and came away with the photographs I was here for.
From there I came home for a bit before visiting California for our Carmel Coast workshop, and then it was off to Iceland. If Delhi was the polar opposite of Japan in terms of activity, it was the weather in Iceland that proved to be the difference here where heavy, cool rains exposed flaws in my usually meticulous packing prep. Still, the landscape was as beautiful as ever. The iconic puffins were sparse in the areas we explored – however many other birds were present, and I’ll take variety every time.
Enjoy the photos, and while you’re here check out my upcoming tours and events. I’m always excited to get to know new travelers!
So much of a successful photographic experience is being able to adapt to the conditions the planet hands to you at any given time. That was certainly the case with my first trip back to Iceland since 2021.
Case in point: we saw two puffins. Apparently, they have moved to a more remote location on the north side of Iceland (and puffins were easily photographing in the Faroes). However, we did see some other lovely birds, including barnacle geese and their goslings, territorial red-throated loons, arctic terns, and ringed plovers. I just love the beautiful reflection shots as the terns skimmed over a highland pond.
Redirecting to the Icelandic Highlands definitely paid photographic dividends. The landscapes are ruggedly beautiful with much to take in on both macro and micro scales. We took in the grand landscapes formed by an eruption in the 15th century as well as the smallest details such as the common butterwort–a carnivorous plant that has adapted to growing in nutrient-poor soil by digesting insects that are attracted to its lovely purple blooms.
Check out my upcoming photo tours and treat yourself to a little bit of adventure, fun and good company!
Happy Independence Day! Have fun, stay safe – and stay hydrated. To celebrate, save 20% off a few prints I’ve selected for the occasion through the end of the month, a couple of which are featured in my latest book, Wild Lives. Just use code JULYPRINTS2024 at checkout! I’ll be sure to sign it for you before it heads out the door.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this is a very subjective list of picturesque places on our one and only planet. I have favorite places that aren’t necessarily the most beautiful, but I think we can all agree on most of these. I’d love to hear your opinions and additions.
It happens that I am also leading workshops in several of these place over the next year, including Mount Rainier, New Zealand, Kenya, and the Olympics. Head on over to the Events page to see what’s new!
Just a couple of spots remain in my late July and early August Katmai bear tours in Alaska – now is the time to sign up if you’ve been thinking about attending this workshop! For some time now, we’ve been leading two trips here a year. Next year there will likely only be one on the calendar due to scheduling trips for upcoming book projects. I anticipate that sole trip will sell out quickly, so if you want to ensure a spot on this epic trip, why wait?
One of the biggest selling points of our workshop is the amazing support we have on the ground. The team we work with lives and breathes the Alaskan wilderness, and are as familiar as anyone on the planet with the locations and habits of the bears we aim to photograph. With a lodge, our own pilot and meals included, your only job is to pack your gear and make it to Anchorage – we will take care of the rest!
Lets talk about the real reason you go on a trip like this – the adventure into the Alaskan wilderness to photograph the great Alaskan brown bears! While they fish, play, and wrestle they show us all why it’s so important to protect these natural spaces. This is, after all, their home – as familiar and important to them as our own back yards are to us. With great respect, we are in their territory. The unique life-long connection you’ll find you now have to these bears is enriching far beyond our time here. It’s definitely left an impression on me!
Check out photos from last year’s trip, then reserve your spot to come along in July and August!
It was quite the whirlwind: swapping stories at a private luncheon with UW President Ana Mari Cauce, then a magnificent awards ceremony in Meany Hall where so many talented people were honored for achievements in their various fields, and finally a delicious dinner for all the awardees at the Conibear Shellhouse with Husky Clipper shell of the 1936 Olympic Champions hanging above us. It was extraordinary! Thank you to the UW Alumni Association, everyone who gave their support and attended the ceremony, and to my dates Helen Cherullo and Gregory Green.
One of the early pages of my latest book Wild Lives features the very first wildlife photo I ever captured – a moose in British Columbia. Not the most stellar photo in the world, but significant in that it was the start of quite a journey that I am still on today.
I just received quite the surprise gift in the mail from my good friend, incredible author and fellow Photographer Rob Sheppard – a nice note with this “incredible” shot, along with the same style Kodak Brownie Fiesta Camera that I shot it with. Talk about a blast from the past! These cameras were manufactured in the 1960’s, and you could own one for the reasonable cost of $5.95! If you were exceptionally thrifty, 15 cans worth of soup labels sent to Campbells at the time would also suffice!
What was your first camera and the subject that set you on your photography path? Leave a comment below!
The Carmel coast in California is a captivating blend of rugged natural beauty and abundant wildlife, making it a haven for photographers. This coastal landscape offers the rocky cliffs and pristine beaches you’d expect, with seals, sea lions, otters and shore birds animating the landscape. When I’m here, I’m keeping an eye out for the abstract opportunities reflected upon the water, and familiar forms on oxidized rocks and minerals.
Variety is an important factor when I’m picking out workshop locations. Many of my personal trips in specific for book projects have me making a long trip just hoping to capture a few iconic shots of a certain species, event, or culture. When I have the opportunity to lead a workshop, variety is a huge factor in determining how frequently we might revisit a location. The Carmel coast has variety in spades as described above, but also the many forests, redwoods, and other inland sights within striking distance.
Needless to say, this is also a top-tier location for enjoying wine and food with good company as well. Looking forward to the next visit!
This weekend kicks off a worthwhile campaign: 100 For the Ocean! 100 photographers and artists, myself included, have donated images help raise $1M to support the conservation of our oceans.
You can download the catalog here to check out all the images. Sales will begin at 12:01am EST/9:01pm PST/8am UK. These prints encompass amazing ocean-related images and begin at just $100. This is an incredible opportunity to own a conversation piece and support a worthwhile cause that benefits everyone on our planet.
For more information visit their website. If you’re just not in the market for new decor, spread the word on social media for a great cause!
