I have been a student of natural history for as long as I can remember [and that’s a long time], and carried that interest into studying the life and physical sciences culminating in a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from LaVerne College and a Master of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Idaho. Early in my student career I acquired my first 35mm slr camera and taught myself the basics of photography. During that time I discovered and devoured the contents of the Time Life Photography series. Ernst Haas was particularly inspiring. To me, his photo compositions of movement and motion were nothing less than visually lyrical.
I chose to go professional in wildlife image making in 1978 and my first published photo appeared in Field & Stream in 1979. My past picture-making efforts were approached from a photojournalistic viewpoint. I have also worked under contract with stock picture agencies in New York and Japan. My images have been used nationally and internationally. It is an honor to have had them licensed for use in such notable places as: Audubon, BBC Wildlife, Canadian Geographic, GEO [German], International Wildlife, National Geographic, National Wildlife, Natural History, Ranger Rick, Tier, The World Wildlife Fund publications and Andy Warhol’s “Endangered Species” silkscreen print series.
For fifteen years my wife, Vicki, and I sold my photographic art prints in Sandpoint, Idaho. Twelve of those years were in our stand-alone art print business, Cedar Glen Gallery. We appreciate the many collectors of my work locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
My career allows me the privilege of recording and sharing the secret lives of wild creatures and the wild places they roam. When I am not in the field working, several times each week I try to present photos and stories via this website SHOT FROM THE FILE and FaceBook.
Ferrara Wildlife Photography exclusively houses the work of nature and wildlife photographer Jerry L. Ferrara.