2006 Pro-Tour Photographers
The wildlife, plant and landscape images from the 2006 Pro-Tour represent the work of 17 of the world's finest nature photographers and were taken over the course of 30 intense, sweaty and challenging 18-hour days. This beautiful photography represents long hours of careful stalking, patient observation and painstaking camera work and editing. Photographers settled into position well before dawn and again in in the late afternoon to capture their subjects with the best possible lighting. A hot, unusually dry spring made photographing naturally shy, nocturnal mammals even more challenging than usual. ICF is grateful for the commitment of the 2006 Pro-Tour particpanting photographers and landowners.
Check out their beautiful Image Galleries!
All images are copyright protected in the names of the individual photographers.
| Name | Info | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Rolf Nussbaumer | In his native Switzerland, Rolf spent his early adult years making furniture, teaching others the joys of birding and, as a hobbyist, shooting pictures. It wasn't long however before his hobby, coupled with his love of the outdoors, became an obsession-and then, his profession. | http://www.rolfnussbaumer.com |
| Dale R. Franz | 2nd Grand Prize Winner, 2010 Pro-Tour Teamed with Rancho Ramirez "El Veleno" ~ Renato Ramirez 2nd Grand Prize Winner, 2006 Pro-Tour Teamed with the Knibbe Ranch - Spring Branch, Texas 2nd Grand Prize Winner, 2008 Pro-Tour Teamed with Mustang Ranch | http://www.franzfoto.com |
| Cathy Illg | Although Cathy always had a knack for snapping clever photos of the birds and the bees (initially with her Kodak Instamatic), it was marriage and the purchase of a 500mm lens that really got her to focus on wildlife photography as a life’s work. | http://www.advenphoto.com |
| Sean Fitzgerald | For someone who got his first camera after college graduation, Sean has come a long way indeed in establishing himself as top-notch shooter. The former practicing attorney admits to being a "late bloomer" in the field of professional photography. | www.seanfitzgerald.com |
| Michael Francis | A seasonal job at Yellowstone National Park 30 years ago was all it took to get Michael hooked on wildlife photography. The awe-inspiring animals the young employee encountered within the park led to his purchase of a 35 mm camera and the creation of his first images of nature. | http://www.michaelfrancisphoto.com/ |
| John Hendrickson | Always a lover of the outdoors, John started photographing raptors at age 17. Fortunately, for those of us who enjoy wildlife photography, those early efforts garnered the attention of others who encouraged the young naturalist to keep shooting. And keep shooting he did, selling his first images while in college. | http://www.johnhendricksonphoto.com |
| Wolfgang Kaehler | "Doing what it takes" is a primary reason why Wolfgang enjoys an international reputation as a premier wildlife photographer. An example would have to include his eye-level shot of two Galapagos iguanas backed by a distant volcano. | http://www.wkaehlerphoto.com/index.cfm |
| Leo Keeler | While a youngster in Southeast Arizona, Leo developed a love for the outdoors and all things wild. The pleasure he took in hunting, fishing and observing nature as a youth continued into his adult life. As an outdoorsman, Leo was often presented with opportunities and experiences within the natural world that he knew others would enjoy. | www.akwildlife.com |
| Jess Lee | As a member of a ranching family living in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a young Jess Lee spent a lot of time roaming the outdoors with camera in hand. Later, his skills as a shooter were further honed during his service as a military reconnaissance photographer. | www.jessleephotos.com |
| Al Perry | Al started snapping, developing and printing his own pictures as a young GI in the United States Army. After leaving the service, his camera remained an important part of his life. Pursuing a variety of opportunities over the next 27 years, the Mid-Westerner eventually established himself as a successful shooter specializing in weddings and social events. | http://www.alperry.com |
| Lynda Richardson | "My dad's love of taking pictures and the gift of a Kodak Instamatic when I was in third grade," is what Lynda would tell you spurred a passion for photography that continues to this day. As a working professional for the past 20-plus years, this talented photographer began her career handling assignments for the Associated Press, U.S. News, Time and other prestigious, national news outlets. | www.lyndarichardson.com |
| Florian Schulz | From his first snapshots of small backyard lizards (taken with a used Praktika camera at age 12) to his dramatic images of a charging Black Rhino in Southern Africa (where he barely escaped with his life) and beyond, Florian's passion for wildlife photography remains a lifelong focus. | www.visionsofthewild.com |
| Mike Sloat | As a decorated 36-year career military pilot, current FAA safety specialist and avid motorcyclist Mike wouldn’t seem to fit your stereotypical profile of an acclaimed wildlife photographer – but he is. Since age 15, the year he started flying, Mike would pack an old Kodak box camera and snap black and whites of any and all things he came across, whether airborne or on the ground. | http://www.txswoutdoorphotography.com |
| Tom Ulrich | Tom Ulrich's career as a professional photographer evolved three decades ago from his earlier occupation as the high school biology teacher. His first photographic efforts were used as visuals to support his classes' curricula. It wasn't long however before Tom's avocation as wildlife photographer grew into the permanent and successful vocation he is respected for today. | www.tomulrichphotos.com |
| Gary Vestal | Gary has been photographing nature for three decades. From the beginning the assignments he is most passionate about are the ones where subjects are explored intensely over multi-year periods. His subject matter can be as varied as documenting (up close) the fascinating life cycles of monarch and swallowtail butterflies to challenging charging tigers in the wilds of Asia. | |
| Dave Welling | After two decades as a professional wildlife photographer, Dave admits his most memorable assignment was photographing the mountain gorillas living in the Virungas National Forest, Zaire, Africa. | [email protected] |
| Jeremy Woodhouse | "Citizen of the world" comes to mind when one hears the name Jeremy Woodhouse. His birth in Nigeria, rearing in Pakistan and Argentina, followed by a stint as a graphic designer in South Africa and the United Kingdom before his incarnation into a full-time professional photographer based in the United States give this unique individual an international perspective few can match. | www.pixelchrome.com |