During the past twenty-eight years, Jim Clark has photographed, written , taught, and talked about nature. For Jim, the simple of joy of getting into nature is what it's all about, and he's intent on sharing that passion with others. A nationally renowned and award-winning nature photographer, writer, motivational speaker, and workshop instructor, Jim's drive in life is to convey to others an appreciation for the natural world and to instill in others a celebration of life.

Jim has used a camera since he was a kid, living in the coal fields of southern West Virginia, but birds and natural history became his first true passions in life. Jim's obsession for nature photography began with his career as a wildlife biologist in 1976. Using the camera to document his research on grizzly bears in Alaska, whooping cranes along the coast of Texas, and other wildlife conservation projects across the country, he began spending more time photographing nature and sharing those images with others. The more he photographed, the more people wanted to see his work. The more he talked about his experiences, the more people wanted to have him share his stories with others.

In 1987, while living in North Pole, Alaska, Jim decided to focus his energies on nature writing and photography. On a frigid winter's day in his cabin, he fired up his very first computer and wrote an article about trumpeter swans. That essay and the one image attached to it became his first publication credit, appearing in the newly created magazine, Birders World. From that day on, Jim used his photography and writing to celebrate nature. This parlayed into not only a career in nature photography and writing, but public speaking and instruction as well.

In 1989, Jim's house on Matagorda Island, Texas was destroyed by fire. Jim lost everything, including more than 10,000 images and seven manuscripts. But this devastating lost did not deter Jim, but rather made him more determined to continue pursuing his passion. He decided the day after the fire to continue fine-tuning his skills in writing and photography; never to give up reaching his dream. He hasn't looked back since.

Jim still retains a child-like curiosity for the natural world. He is a great example of staying focused, taking risks, becoming realistic, and believing in one's self. He now espouses these traits to the younger generations of nature photographers and biologists.

Although Jim travels across the country speaking at various venues about nature and photography, these days Jim spends most of his time photographing in his home state of West Virginia and exploring the coastal gems of the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia. He prefers to stay closer to home, and to his true inspirations in life - his wife Jamie and their four year old son, Carson.

Author and photographer of two books, West Virginia: The Allegheny Highlands (Westcliffe Publishers) and Mountain Memories: An Appalachian Sense of Place (WVU Press), Jim is currently completing three more books about some of his special places.

Jim's photography and writing has appeared in such magazines as Outdoor Photographer, Nature's Best, Wonderful West Virginia, Country, Birders World, and WildBird. His images have appeared on calendars for Outdoor Photographer, National Wildlife Federation, and Caterpillar. The Steve Payne Fine Art Gallery in Charleston, West Virginia, represents Jim's photography and a selection of Jim's nature photography was part of a major exhibit in 2003 at the National Botanical Gardens in Washington, D.C.

Jim currently leads workshops for the Great American Photography Weekend and The Mountain Institute. Most of Jim's time, however, is as an inspirational speaker at various venues across the country. His musical slide programs, Mason Jars and Memories and A Natural Celebration, have received rave reviews from audiences around the country. In August 2003, PBS aired a documentary called Mountain Memories, which profiled Jim's life and career as a nature photographer. In 2001, Wonderful West Virginia Magazine named Jim as one of the state's top nature photographers.

Jim is past President of the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA). A charter member, Jim has served on NANPA's Board of Directors and on various committees. He played an instrumental role in developing and conducting NANPA's now internationally recognized student scholarship program. In 2000, he received NANPA's Outstanding Recognition Award. In 2005, Jim will serve as MC for NANPA's annual summit in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Jim serves on the advisory board for the Nature's Best Magazine Foundation and he is a member of Fuji Film's Talent Team Program.

For Jim, the most important tool a nature photographer can possess is simply the enjoyment to be among wild landscapes and wild creatures. He strongly recommends that we all cherish these moments and soak in the memories. You can contact Jim at jim.clark4@att.net.

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