Nature Photography Summit

Karine Aigner is a self-taught freelance photographer and the senior photo editor at National Geographic Kids and National Geographic Little Kids magazines. Karine has an eye for capturing moments and is best known for images that are “caught”, not “created”. The granddaughter of vintage photographer Lucien Aigner, Karine started out photographing people. Today, her work centers on the animal kingdom. She spends much of her time in Africa and is currently working on an African wild dog project. Karine is also a book editor, a reviewer of portfolios, and a photographer and editor at National Geographic Photo Camps. Her work has been featured in Africa Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Hoerzu-Wissen, National Geographic Kids and Little Kids, Parents, and other publications. Her website is www.karineaigner.com

Scott Avetta has been teaching photography for more than 10 years with the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. He also conducts workshops for Kodak and provides one-on-one instruction for individuals. Scott’s books include Missouri Impressions, The Ozarks, St. Louis Impressions, Illinois Impressions and Missouri Simply Beautiful. His work has also appeared in other books and in magazines covering the Midwest. The National Audubon Society and numerous businesses have used his photographs for advertising, calendars and websites. He is president of the Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers (MoNEP).

Daniel Beltra is a Spanish photographer based in Seattle. A fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP), he brings the sensibility and craft of a news photographer to the fields of nature and the environment, making images that he hopes will promote greater respect and conservation of those subjects. His photos have appeared in newspapers and magazines around the globe. He has made several expeditions to the Amazon Basin, the Arctic, the Southern Oceans and the Patagonian ice fields, among others. In 2006, Daniel received awards from the World Press Photo and China International Press Photo contests for his work on drought in the Amazon. In 2007, he again won in the World Press Photo competition for additional images of the Amazon. The following year, he received the inaugural Global Vision Award from Pictures of the Year International for work in the Ross Sea and the Amazon. In 2009, he was awarded the Prince’s Rainforest Project given via the Sony World Photography Awards. This project, granted by Prince Charles, sent Daniel for three months to the Congo, Amazon and Indonesian rainforests to create photos for a book, website and traveling exhibition about the perilous fate that the world’s rainforests face. He has been recognized by ABC News as its Person of the Week for his conservation photography. Some of his images can be viewed at www.danielbeltra.com

Jeff Botkin is co-chair of the NANPA Ethics Committee and has been an active member of NANPA for more than 12 years. He is a serious amateur photographer with subjects ranging from landscapes of the Mountain West to refugee camps in rural Thailand. Jeff is also a physician on the faculty at the University of Utah where he chairs the Division of Medical Ethics and Humanities. His professional work is focused on research ethics and the ethical, legal and social implications of genetic technologies. Jeff’s images can be seen at www.westrimphotography.com

Bill Campbell, MD, is an award-winning nature photographer, tour guide and emergency medicine physician who assists patients in the ER when not out shooting. Capturing the natural world in images is a passion that has driven him to photograph since he was very young. Bill’s images have appeared in publications such as Backpacker, Birder’s World, Outdoor Photographer and PCPhoto. His book, The Smoky Mountains Photographer’s Guide, co-written with Nye Simmons, is a bestseller in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Other clients include the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Nikon. He has taught at the Great American Photo Workshops, the Rocky Mountain School of Photography, NANPA Roadshows and his own Campbell Digital Institute. He has also led numerous trips, photography and otherwise, around the United States and abroad. Bill’s images have been exhibited in many forums, including the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. He also currently serves on the NANPA board. His photography can be viewed at www.billcampbellphoto.com and workshops at www.billcampbelldigital.com.

David Cardinal is an award-winning professional nature photographer who has led dozens of photo safaris over the last decade to Africa, Alaska, Southeast Asia and throughout the United States. He has spent years photographing the birds of the Rio Grande Valley. His images and articles are featured in publications such as Outdoor Photographer, PC Magazine and Photoshop User and on the covers of books published by Sybex and Peachpit. David’s clients also include the American Prairie Foundation, the BBC, California Fish and Game, Draper, Lexar, the National Wildlife Federation, the Point Reyes Bird Observatory and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Learn more about David at www.cardinalphoto.com.

Kathy Adams Clark has been a professional nature photographer for 16 years. A past president of NANPA, she teaches photography at local and national events and leads photo workshops to Costa Rica, Ecuador, Italy and Morocco through Strabo Tours. In addition, she teaches photography at local and national events. Kathy owns a stock agency that represents the work of 15 nature photographers. Her own work has been published in many places, including publications such as Birder’s World, Nature’s Best, The New York Times, Ranger Rick, Texas Highways and Texas parks & Wildlife, and many books and calendars. Her images also appear every week in the “Nature” column in the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express News written by her husband, Gary Clark. Kathy and Gary have published four books and have two more in the works that combine their photography and writing skills.

Jack Dykinga blends large-format landscape art photography with documentary photojournalism. He is a regular contributor to Arizona Highways and National Geographic. Jack has photographed for nine books which advocate for the wilderness, including Jack Dykinga’s Arizona and Images: Jack Dykinga’s Grand Canyon. He also collaborated with Mexico’s Agrupacion Sierra Madre to help produce its book on the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. His work has been exhibited at the Center for Creative Photography, the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Phoenix Art Museum, and many galleries. A fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP), he has participated in five Rapid Assessment Visual Expeditions (R.A.V.E.), most recently the U.S./Mexico borderlands and Patagonia. He is NANPA’s 2011 Outstanding Photographer of the Year.

Sean Fitzgerald is a Texas-based photographer whose images have been widely published and whose fine-art prints are found in private and public collections across the country. He has won the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest twice, won the grand prize in the nationwide World in Focus competition, and has had his artwork featured on several Bravo Network shows. Art Wolfe chose Sean as a Rising Star Photographer. He has been featured in Professional Photographer, and the book Portfolio Success showcases his work in nature photography. Sean’s website is www.seanfitzgerald.com

Chris Gamel is a wildlife biologist, photographer and teacher. He has conducted wildlife research around the world, including studies on owls in South Texas and seals in South Africa. His research focuses on animal behavior with an emphasis on birds and marine mammals. His work on Cape fur seal reproduction and maternal care resulted in a doctorate from Texas A&M University. He has been capturing wildlife images for 18 years and has spent the last five years exploring the world of video. A graduate of the Wildlife Film Academy in South Africa, Chris now teaches filmmaking, photography, digital media and environmental science at The Winston School San Antonio, a private school specializing in teaching students with learning differences. Chris’s website is www.chrisgamel.com

Jay Goodrich is an internationally published photographer and writer. His clients have included Fortune 500 companies, trade publications, national and international magazines and books, graphic designers, architects, builders, commercial printers and others. He was a finalist or highly commended in the 2004, 2008 and 2009 Nature’s Best Photography, competition, a finalist in Photographer’s Forum magazine’s 2004 and 2009 spring photography contest, received honorable mentions in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 International Conservation Photography Awards competitions, and was a winner in NANPA’s 2007 Members’ Showcase. Jay placed high in the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest in Corpus Christi in 2009, and he was a finalist or semi-finalist in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competitions. Jay’s fine art prints have hung in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, the Colorado State Capitol, and in Borders and Barnes & Noble bookstores. He also teaches workshops in various locations, giving participants one-on-one instruction.

Amy Gulick is an award-winning nature photographer and writer, and a Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP). Her images and stories have been featured in Audubon, National Wildlife, Nature’s Best Photography, Sierra and other publications. Amy’s work in Alaska has received numerous honors including the prestigious Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award from the Alaska Conservation Foundation, a Lowell Thomas Award from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation, and a Philip Hyde Grant from NANPA. Her book, Salmon in the Trees: Life in Alaska’s Tongass Rain Forest, is published by Braided River, the conservation imprint of The Mountaineers Books. The book is a 2010 Independent Book Publisher Award recipient, winning the silver medal in the Environment, Ecology & Nature category. Amy’s work can be seen at www.amygulick.com and www.salmoninthetrees.org.
Amy’s presentation is supported by the generous donations of Braided River and the Alaska Wilderness League.

Photographer and climber Paul Hassell travels to lands around the world, but the Great Smoky Mountains always call him home. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a customized major in Freelance Photography and Writing for the Natural Environment. Paul frequently shows his fine art photographs in prestigious galleries. His adventure stories are published in local newspapers and his images in magazines such as National Parks. His website is www.paulhassell.com

Morgan Heim is a Colorado-based multimedia journalist specializing in sharing the stories of science and environmental issues. An accredited zoologist turned science communicator, she splits her time working with non-profits, research institutes and magazines to help engage the public in wanting to understand our planet. Morgan subscribes to the belief that if you show people how amazing and interwoven the world is, they’ll care more about what happens to it. In addition to being an associate member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, her work appears in such outlets as Smithsonian, High Country News, the Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife, and the WILD Foundation. Morgan’s website is www.moheimphotography.com

Raymond Klass is a photographer and instructor whose images have been published in magazines, advertising and books. He is the author and photographer of Mammoth Cave National Park: Reflections, and teaches photography at the New York Botanical Gardens, Natural Tapestries Photography Workshops and the Adirondack Photography Institute. He is also the chair of NANPA’s High School Scholarship Program. Raymond is the recipient of three artist-in-residence positions through the National Park Service. He has been involved with two PBS documentaries and been interviewed on National Public Radio. His publishing credits include American Heritage, the Inner Reflections Calendar, the National Geographic Society, the National Parks Conservation Association, Nature’s Best Photography, Outdoor and Nature Photographer and Smithsonian. A graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Raymond incorporates the latest technology into his workflow and helps other professionals use these advancements. By explaining the newest technology in plain English, within the context of nature photography, Raymond breaks down the wall that may exist between your equipment and your art.

Joining Adobe in 1992, Julieanne Kost has learned her craft through hands-on experience and now serves as Adobe’s senior digital imaging evangelist. Her role spans digital imaging and illustration, and includes customer education, product development and market research. She is a frequent contributor to several publications, a speaker at numerous design conferences and tradeshows, and an instructor at photography workshops and fine art schools around the world. A passionate photographer, Julieanne is also the author behind the Comprehensive Photoshop CS3 training DVDs and author of Window Seat: The Art of Digital Photography and Creative Thinking.

A birder from England and Ireland and an award-winning professional photographer, Alan Murphy immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s. His work is published in numerous magazines and he is the author of a CD book, The Guide to Songbird Set-up Photography. Alan’s background in the arts and his knowledge of birds have helped him to create beautiful setups that showcase birds in their natural environments. He is a Nikon Professional Service member and a Wimberley Professional Service member. He enjoys traveling and speaking at festivals and photo clubs around the country. Alan’s website is www.alanmurphyphotography.com.

The hallmark of Lou Nettelhorst’s teaching style is his eagerness to share his 14 years of professional experience and techniques, while always providing encouragement and humor. Lou is fully immersed in sharing his talent through community college courses, the Digital Photo Academy, outings, presentations, weekend workshops and private instruction. His images have been published in Chicago Wilderness, NANPA’s Member Showcase, Nature’s Best Photography and Outdoor Photographer, as well as many newsletters. His photography has also earned numerous fine art exhibition awards. During his eight years as chair of the NANPA High School Scholarship Program, Lou received NANPA’s Outstanding Service Award and the Russ Kinne Recognition Grant. He is also a member of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and Nikon Professional Services. Lou’s website is www.LouNettelhorst.com.

John Nuhn is photography director, and previously photo editor, of the multi-award-winning National Wildlife, a publication of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). He was also photo editor of International Wildlife, another NWF magazine which ceased publication in 2002, and managing editor of a small Wisconsin book publisher. A self-taught photographer, John is a founder and past president of NANPA and past president of the NANPA Foundation, and presently serves as chair of the History Committee. He was a charter member of NANPA’s Ethics Committee and helped draft both the Ethical Field Practices and the Truth in Captioning statements. He is also a charter affiliate member of the iLCP, and past chapter president, vice-president and treasurer of the American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP). He has been a speaker, panelist and judge at numerous forums.

Neil Ever Osborne is an instructor at Queen’s University in Ontario where he teaches conservation photography and visual communication strategies in the School of Environmental Studies. He also oversees the Conservation By Youth initiative, which uses photography and educational workshops to introduce youth around the world to conservation. The workshops provide youth with cameras and instruction to document important aspects of their culture, the wildlife they coexist with, and the natural landscapes that surround them. Neil holds degrees in conservation biology and visual communication, and was an apprentice to Frans Lanting for two years. In addition to a global lecture series that introduces audiences to conservation photography, his photographic assignments include work for magazines and newspapers as well as government agencies and conservation organizations, including the California Academy of Sciences, Conservation International, Ocean Conservancy, Ocean Revolution, and the U.S. Forest Service, among others. He is an emerging league member of iLCP. Neil’s website is www.neileverosborne.com.

Doug Otto has been actively working with Internet technologies since the late 1980s. As the NANPA Technology Committee chair, Doug is responsible for NANPA’s presence on all the major social networking sites as well as administering the NANPA forums. He is also occasionally tapped for technology-related articles in Currents. When not pursuing his photographic business, Doug designs and implements technology solutions for various government agencies in California. Doug has played with cameras, computers and electronics since childhood; it was the DSLR’s coming of age that re-ignited his passion for photography. Landscapes, specifically in Yosemite National Park and the Eastern Sierra Nevada, are his current love. Doug teaches digital photography privately and is the photography show chair for the Sacramento Fine Arts Center, a non-profit gallery in his neighborhood. To see Doug’s images and read his photography blog, visit his website at www.binaryemulsion.com.

Efrain M. Padro is a full-time professional photographer specializing in nature and travel subjects. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he has photographed in such diverse locations as Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Holland and Morocco. Efrain is the author of The Photographer’s Guide to New Mexico, and was the lead photographer for Frommer’s Puerto Rico Day by Day. His work has also appeared in National Geographic Expeditions catalogs, Budget Travel, Canada’s Photo Life, New Mexico Journey, Shutterbug and other publications. Efrain also leads photography workshops for the American Writers and Artists, the University of New Mexico and the Santa Fe Community College. He is a former NANPA board member. To see his work, go to www.padroimages.com.

Patricio Robles Gil is a conservationist, naturalist, painter, sculptor, editor, designer, award-winning professional photographer and, above all, a man of passion. Over the past 20 years, he has founded two conservation groups in Mexico and played a major role in the development of the International League of Conservation Photographers. He has published 34 books of his own photography as well as collections by photographers from all over the globe. Most recently, Patricio helped bring the WILD 9 World Wilderness Congress to Merida, Mexico, where leading scientists, conservationists, filmmakers and photographers were matched by their individual talents to create solutions for the future of our environment. Patricio expresses his passion this way, “Wilderness is the one thing that brings me peace and tranquility. It is a great privilege to be a nature photographer, and that privilege is enhanced by being involved with conservation.” Visit Patricio’s website at www.patricioroblesgil.com.

After finishing college in Spain, Jaime Rojo received a grant to continue his career in Switzerland, where he specialized in conservation biology. Attracted by the wildest side of Mexico, he applied for another grant to continue research there, but after he worked for two months in vast spaces of the northern border, his career took a new direction and he became committed to wilderness conservation. For the past six years as a photographer, he has been involved in projects in Mexico that highlight the strategic role of communications for conservation, following a formula that Jaime considers key to reaching and inspiring a wider public. Like Morgan, Jaime is an Associate member of the iLCP. He served as the executive director of WILD9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress that was held in November 2009 in Yucatan. For more information visit www.jaime-rojo.com

Les Saucier is a professional nature photographer and teacher who has taught nature photography workshops all over the country for more than 30 years. He lives in the Southern Appalachian Mountains where he offers digital workflow, digital printing and creative photography workshops, along with one-on-one tutoring and coaching. Les is the creator of the Flowerpod, a tool for macro photographers. He has participated in solo and juried shows alike. His website is www.appalachianjourney.com.

Ian Shive is an award-winning conservation photographer, author and multimedia producer whose goal is to captivate audiences through new trends in storytelling using imagery as the primary tool. Ian is the recent recipient of the Gold Medal, 2010 Nautilus Book Award, in the Great Peacekeepers category in recognition of his 2009 book, The National Parks: Our American Landscape. Previous Nautilus Award winners include Deepak Chopra, the Dalai Lama and Eckhart Tolle. Ian’s photographs have appeared around the world in major publications, including National Geographic, National Geographic Adventure, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Traveler, National Parks, Nature Conservancy, Outside, Popular Science and Sierra. Ian has pioneered trends with multimedia film production, co-founding the Los Angeles-based production company, Wild Collective. In this capacity, he has worked on photography-driven productions that truly mix media, from still photography to DSLR video and beyond. His clients include many environmental nonprofits and Fortune 100 companies.

Molly Steinwald is associate director of science education at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh. She is also a PhD candidate at Miami University researching the effects of photography on people’s environmental attitudes. She teaches photography to youth in local afterschool programs. With degrees in biology and ecology, Molly has more than ten years of research and college-level teaching experience in a broad range of subjects, and five years of experience instructing elementary through high school educators on specific techniques for teaching environmental topics. A self-taught photographer, she was awarded a scholarship in NANPA’s College Student Program in 2008 and her work has been exhibited in various venues, most notably at the Sundance Film Festival. A mother of two children, Molly primarily uses her photography in public and academic lectures to emphasize the importance of teaching science and environmental concepts in a participatory manner, to better engage non-traditional audiences. She is chair of NANPA’s Environment Committee and an affiliate member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP). Learn more about Molly at www.mollysteinwald.com

Richard Turner practiced law for more than 40 years before turning his attention to photography. Now a writer and an award-winning photographer, he has been the featured artist in galleries and public buildings, and his images have been presented in many juried art shows and festivals. He is also the founder and owner of Gorgeous Greetings, a greeting card company featuring his photographs that has published thousands of fine art cards. Twelve images of his work are on permanent exhibit at the new Mercy San Juan Hospital Tower in Sacramento, California. He and his wife and creative partner, Prem Turner, have three grandchildren, whom he is encouraging to become park rangers instead of lawyers. Richard’s website is www.rturnerphotography.com.

Michele Westmorland has gained international recognition with her underwater and cultural photography. Her commercial work is a large part of her portfolio and covers travel locations, resort properties, and lifestyle. Her work is represented by a number of photo agencies. Much of her imagery has appeared in national and international publications including National Geographic Traveler, Outside, Sport Diver and Scuba Diving. Her book, Ocean Duets, focuses on the beauty of the underwater world. A documentary film and book project, Headhunt Revisited, is currently in post production. A Washington State resident, she is a Fellow National of the Explorers Club, a fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP), and a member of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), the American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP), the Society of Woman Geographers, Wings WorldQuest, and NANPA. Michele’s website is www.westmorlandimages.com