John Gerlach earned his wildlife ecology degree from Central Michigan University in 1977.  After graduation he followed his burning passion to become a professional nature photographer and photo educator.  With his in-depth science background and dedication to nature photography, he quickly mastered close-up, landscape and wildlife photography.

 

A dynamic public speaker, John's burning enthusiasm for photography and willingness to share his knowledge makes him an inspirational photography instructor.  Since 1983, John has taught hundreds of field workshops and one-day seminars.  John has led over 130 winter photo tours of Yellowstone National Park and has led dozens of photo tours to the best game parks in Kenya and they include Samburu, Amboseli, and the Masai Mara. 

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John and Dixie also lead fall color workshops in the Grand Tetons and Smoky Mountains National Park.  Plus, they teach a unique kind of bird photography using floating blinds at their home in Idaho, lead wildlife photo workshops in the Grand Tetons during late November and early December for moose and bighorn sheep, and conduct intensive bird photography workshops in South Texas and the famous Laguna Seca Ranch and also teach bird photography workshops at the Desert Retreat near Tucson, Arizona.

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Gerlach Nature Photography has permit authorization with the Yellowstone National Park, Grand Tetons National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, WY.