Jonathan Gardner

Jonathan and Corey · Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda · March 2025

Based in the Pacific Northwest, I travel to remote corners of the world documenting wildlife, landscapes, cityscapes, and underwater environments. Each image serves a dual purpose: to stop viewers in their tracks with nature's grandeur, and to remind us of the urgent need to protect these wild places.

My approach emphasizes patience and respect. These aren't staged moments — they're the result of hours of observation, waiting for that instant when an animal's personality emerges, when light transforms a scene, when the wild reveals itself to those willing to witness it.

While my wildlife work centers on African megafauna, my broader portfolio spans continents and categories. From the dramatic landscapes of Iceland to the vibrant streets of Tokyo, from coral reefs to mountain peaks, I seek moments that demand to be preserved — images that make you pause, lean in, and remember why these places matter.

Originally from New Orleans, I'm now based in Stanwood, Washington with my wife Corey and our dog Maximus. The Pacific Northwest turned out to be the right home base for this work. The Cascades are close enough for weekend exploration, and the proximity to water feeds the underwater side of my portfolio. Corey and I spend our non-photography time hiking, snowboarding, sailing the Pacific, and diving wherever the visibility is worth the cold.

The diving especially informs my work. Time underwater changes how you see light, movement, and the patience required to wait for a subject to come to you rather than chasing it. That lesson translates directly to sitting in a Land Cruiser at dawn on the Serengeti, waiting for a leopard to move.

A portion of all print sales supports wildlife conservation organizations working to preserve endangered species and their habitats.