ARTIST STATEMENT

I have worked as a wildlife photographer for more years than I care to remember. Over time, I have continually assessed what I was doing and evolved to take a more reflective approach to my photography.

In photographing wild animals, I think I have one advantage over other fields of photography in that I believe there is an authenticity to their personalities. To me, the mental state of a wild animal is neither covered by a mask that a human subject is tempted to wear nor adulterated by human influence that a captive animal acquires.

To lend voice to the mental state of a wild animal, I have established an approach that is very personal. I try to be accepted by wild animals, be intimate with them, and try to sense what may be in their mind.

I now employ black and white photography. Perhaps it emphasizes a wild animal’s mind more emphatically than color photography and also serves to create an atmospheric context. Perhaps, I am also expressing myself better. I don’t really know why but it works for me.