From a very early age I was drawn to the natural world and animals in particular, spending as much of my time as possible in the springs and summers of my childhood in Northern California collecting "critters" like caterpillars, tadpoles, and lizards to observe and then release back into the wilds of my suburban neighborhood. Rescuing baby birds that had fallen from nests kept me busy for several summers. At the same time, I spent many hours at my fathers side in the darkroom he had fashioned in our bathroom. Family trips to many of the National Parks in the western United States gave me the opportunity to take my first blurry images of wildlife. Mostly squirrels and birds, but my heart beat faster at the occasional bear or moose.
College, veterinary school, and then managing a practice and young family occupied much of my time and energy for a couple of decades, but I picked up a camera again when my daughter started showing horses. Shooting equine sports proved to be good practice for shooting wildlife action.
In 2011 I had the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream and go on an African safari. I was completely hooked and returned at every opportunity, eventually being a tour leader myself and starting a small safari company.
In 2011 I had the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream and go on an African safari. I was completely hooked and returned at every opportunity, eventually being a tour leader myself and starting a small safari company.
My goal for my photography is for it to personally connect the viewer to the wild things of the natural world. I hope that in my images you can see the heart and soul of the creatures we share our planet with and that you will feel the urgency that I do conserve these species and their environment.
My goal for anyone coming on my safaris is first to learn about and connect with the natural world. If you are coming with photography as a goal or on a photography specific safari, my goal is for you to learn to the technical aspects well enough that you can be comfortable and start to truly connect with your subject so that can be reflected in your work. If you are an advanced photographer, then I strive to share my experience in the field working with changing light, knowing and anticipating animal behavior, and connecting you with some of the best guides you will ever meet in the most spectacular locations in the world for wildlife photography.
The goal for my safari business is to support conservation and humanitarian projects in East Africa through ecotourism and by reinvestment and donation of profits generated by the safaris. No money will leave Africa. All proceeds will be channeled back into ecotourism and donated to support deserving conservation and humanitarian projects.
Sometimes you need to just put down your camera and enjoy the moment. Here am am having a cuddle with Orwa, an ex-orphan at one of the Sheldrick reintegration units. Even though he now lives with a wild herd, he still returns occasionally for a little love.
North American Nature Photographers Association
Sometimes you need to put down the camera and enjoy the moment. Here I'm having a cuddle with Orwa who is a David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust ex-orphan who still comes back for some love.
