John earned a B.S. Degree in Wildlife Ecology from Central Michigan University in 1977. By 1980, he was earning a living as a full-time nature photographer. He is a versatile photographer who is equally at home making landscape images of Death Valley, photographing hummingbirds with multiple flashes, or making enchanting images of dewy dragonflies and butterflies.
His nature photos have been showcased in calendars, magazines, and text books around the world. Several stock agencies also sell his images.
John is the associate editor of NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER magazine. His column, "Field Notes" appears in each issue and reveals enlightening tips on shooting nature images in the field. For subscription information, go to: www.naturephotographermag.com.
Barbara Gerlach is a skilled nature photographer with a highly artistic approach. Since Barbara grew up on a farm, she's always had a keen interest in nature. She began shooting nature images while working as a color printer for NASA. She met John in the mid-eighties, and with his guidance, quickly developed her hobby into a full-time profession.
Her photo's have been published in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE, NATIONAL WILDLIFE, BIRDER'S WORLD, OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER, COUNTRY, NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER, and numerous others. Many of her photographs have been published in the calendars produced by Abbeville Press, Renaissance, Sierra Club, Audubon, Northword Press, Browntrout, and in many nature books.
John's love for teaching has led him to conduct hundreds of workshops and seminars since 1977 worldwide. Barbara has worked closely with John since 1988 and is the co-instructor. Over the years, more than 50,000 nature photography enthusiasts have attended their programs.
John and Barbara are dynamic public speakers who are adept at conveying the joy and love they feel for nature. Their burning enthusiasm for nature photography and willingness to share information with others makes them inspirational nature photography instructors. Both are licensed snowmobile guides in Yellowstone National Park. They work part-time for Yellowstone Tour and Travel and head their photography program in the park. They are also certified wranglers who work part-time leading photography tours in the back country of Yellowstone National Park and the nearby Lee Metcalf Wilderness for Terry Search of Yellowstone Mountain Guides.
The Gerlach’s spend several months each year on the road taking nature photographs and conducting instructional nature photography programs. They spend a few weeks each year photographing exotic wildlife overseas. The game rich parks of Kenya are their favorite wildlife photography destinations. They have been leading tours there since 1985.
Barbara and John found they have a knack for being filmed on location to show where and how to shoot outstanding images. Their first DVD, Photographing Yellowstone was an immediate hit. Their second DVD, Photographing California's Eastern Sierra will be out in early 2009. Their first book, Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science, was released in the fall of 2007 and the response has been phenomenal! This book is so different from nearly all others because it stresses how to shoot super images in the field with proven techniques that lead to successful images shot after shot. Their second book, Digital Landscape Photography: The Art and the Science will be available in the fall of 2009.
The Gerlach's live in the rugged mountains of Idaho just outside Yellowstone National Park. Michele Smith of Ashton, ID manages their office. When not taking photos, John likes watching birds (especially hummingbirds) and trout fishing. Barbara likes to plant flowers, spoil her small dogs, and make prints from her images using Photoshop CS4 and Epson printers. Both love to kayak, cross-country ski, and ride their horses. They frequently use their horses to travel the back country taking photographs.
