Mark Godfrey Selects

Get Involved:

Our director of photography shares some of our most amazing images.

Skim boarding at Virginia Beach, Virginia. © Cameron Davidson

Ever wonder how photographers get those great nature shots you see on nature.org? Or what photographic masters see in their favorite images?

Now you can find out with Mark Godfrey Selects, audio slideshows and videos from The Nature Conservancy’s award-winning director of photography that guide you through some of the most stunning images in the Conservancy’s archive... and the stories behind the pictures. Join Mark and learn more about the craft and technique that go into great nature photography — and become a better photographer yourself!

Features
The Author

Greater Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea apoda) shaking his plumes as part of display in Badigaki Forest, Wokam Island in the Aru Islands, Indonesia. © Tim Laman

June 2013: Birds of Paradise with Tim Laman

Conservation photographer Tim Laman has spent the past eight years dedicated to photographing all 39 species of the birds of paradise in the wild for the first time. Watch a video

Canoeing in Lily Bay at sunrise, Moosehead Lake, Maine. Photo © Jerry Monkman

May 2013: Exploring New England with Jerry Monkman

Meet Jerry Monkman, a photographer that has dedicated himself to capturing the New England landscape. Watch a video

Glover River, Oklahoma. Photo © Kim Baker

February 2013: On the River with Kim Baker

A lifelong resident of Oklahoma, Kim Baker leverages her passion and talents as a photographer to save the rivers she calls home. Watch a video

Burrowing Owl siblings. © Laura C. Williams

November 2012: Wildlife Photographer Laura C. Williams

A career in medical illustration translates seamlessly into a second career in wildlife photography for Laura Crawford Williams. Watch a video

Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa). Photo © Clay Bolt

June 2012: Nature Photographer Clay Bolt

Pro nature photographer Clay Bolt uses his lens to reveal the amazing wildlife and plants found in our backyards. Watch a video

A farm on Little Hoover and Hoover Islands on the Susquehanna River. © Cameron Davis

February 2012: In the Air
with Cameron Davidson

Aerial photographer Cameron Davidson shares his unique perspective of the Chesapeake Bay. Watch a slideshow

Mark Godfrey Selects: September 2011 (215x143)

Saguaro cacti, New Mexico. © Jack Dykinga

September 2011: Landscapes with Jack Dykinga

Find out why pro photographer Jack Dykinga considers himself a photojournalist of the environment. Watch a slideshow

Hiker at overlook in Glacier National Park, Montana. © Ian Shive

July 2011: National Parks with Ian Shive

Photographer Ian Shive's first book is The National Parks: Our American Landscape. Watch a slideshow

Yosemite Valley. © Bruce Dale

April 2011: A Technical Master

Former National Geographic photographer Bruce Dale shares some of his trade secrets.
Watch a Slideshow

Blue ice on the Antarctic Peninsula on the northernmost part of Antarctica's mainland. © Rick McEwan

November 2010: From Oregon to Antarctica

Photographer Rick McEwan shares some amazing images and his nature photography tips.
Watch a Slideshow

Leopard. Masai Mara Triangle, Kenya. © Suzi Eszterhas

September 2010: Wild Eye

See incredible photos by Suzi Eszterhas and learn more about her career as a wildlife photographer!
Watch a Slideshow

Tiger shark. © Jeff Yonover

January 2010: Underwater View

Get the story behind pro photographer Jeff Yonover's great ocean images!
Watch a Slideshow

Native bee on ragwort at Griffith Prairie, Nebraska. © Chris Helzer

September 2009: Prairie Close-Ups

How do you get so close to nature? Let Chris Helzer, our Eastern Nebraska Program Director, tell you!
Watch a Slideshow

Field of blue penstemon, Idaho. © Ami Vitale

May 2009: Ami Vitale

What makes a great nature photo? Our director of photography talks with photojournalist Ami Vitale.
Watch a Slideshow

March 2009: Freshwater

How do photographers capture stunning shots of rain and water drops? Learn some of their techniques!
Watch a Slideshow

Mark Godfrey

Director of Photography

Mark Godfrey, director of photography for The Nature Conservancy, worked for several newspapers before covering the Vietnam War for the Associated Press and later for both LIFE and TIME magazines. He was a member of the photographer’s cooperative MAGNUM Photos and later director of photography for U. S. News & World Report. He has photographed a number of books for The National Geographic Society, including The Mighty Aztecs, Frontiers of Science and the National Geographic Outdoor Guide to the Great Lakes. He joined the staff of The Nature Conservancy in 2003.