Photographer • Conservationist • Writer • TRACKER
ADVANCED EXPERIENCE WITH MOUNTAIN LIONS, BIRDS OF PREY, AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS
Photo by Ian Nelson
All it took was a camera in my hands and a dove flying by to feel the rush of destiny; this is why God put me on Earth. This is what I was born to do. So, I dropped out of college the next day and started pursuing the creation of images that support and promote wild animals. As a self-taught photographer and tracker, I focus on dedicated visual conservation stories by working with individuals and organizations whose research covers Threatened, Endangered, keystone, and bellwether species. My commitment to saving wildlife and growing ethical practices stems from needing to fulfill my duty to God and a natural love of all things wild.
Since starting my journey, I've thankfully evolved into an award-winning photographer, Nikon Professional, Ethics Committee Member at NANPA, large carnivore tracker, and instructor. I founded Wild Expectations Media Cooperative (currently under renovation), am represented by Wildscreen Exchange, am also a founding member of Wild Idea Lab, and have appeared on multiple judging panels. My publications include National Geographic Education, Defenders of Wildlife, Improve Photography, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Outdoors California, and The Press Democrat, among others.
Since starting my journey, I've thankfully evolved into an award-winning photographer, Nikon Professional, Ethics Committee Member at NANPA, large carnivore tracker, and instructor. I founded Wild Expectations Media Cooperative (currently under renovation), am represented by Wildscreen Exchange, am also a founding member of Wild Idea Lab, and have appeared on multiple judging panels. My publications include National Geographic Education, Defenders of Wildlife, Improve Photography, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Outdoors California, and The Press Democrat, among others.
Certified: Marine Ecology Naturalist, SCUBA Open Water Diving, Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, and Nikon Professional Services
with extensive training for off-road driving and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
with extensive training for off-road driving and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
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Artist Statement:
In the same way water gets mixed into dry cement to make it concrete, ethics need to be mixed into nature photography to make it metaphorically concrete. Ethics are now an essential part of the modern-day nature photographer’s toolkit. Following good standards makes us better photographers, better lovers of nature, and increases the quality of life in our photos and especially for our furry, feathered, or scaley subjects. The unyielding pressures of human expansion on wildlife is horrific enough without nature photographers making bad decisions that will directly, negatively affect the lives of wild individuals. Artists are responsible for their creations. With that being said, we need to stay up-to-date on ethical practices so we can show respect to a beautiful, magical world full of wonder to which the fate of humans is directly tied. |
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Awards
・TOP 100 (CONSERVATION CATEGORY), NANPA 2021 SHOWCASE COMPETITION
・TOP 20 AND JUDGE'S CHOICE, NANPA 2019 SHOWCASE COMPETITION
・TOP 250, NANPA 2019 SHOWCASE COMPETITION
・SEMI-FINALIST, NANPA 2019 SHOWCASE COMPETITION
・SECOND PLACE IN MAMMALS CATEGORY, PROJECT NOAH, 2017 BEST WILDLIFE PHOTOS
・TOP 25, CALTROUT, 2017 ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST
・GRAND PRIZE WINNER, PHOTO OF THE YEAR 2016, CALIFORNIA WATCHABLE WILDLIFE
・FIRST PLACE OVERALL, CALIFORNIA WATCHABLE WILDLIFE, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2016 PHOTO CONTEST
・HONORABLE MENTION, DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE, 2015 ANNUAL NATIONAL PHOTO CONTEST
・TOP 20 AND JUDGE'S CHOICE, NANPA 2019 SHOWCASE COMPETITION
・TOP 250, NANPA 2019 SHOWCASE COMPETITION
・SEMI-FINALIST, NANPA 2019 SHOWCASE COMPETITION
・SECOND PLACE IN MAMMALS CATEGORY, PROJECT NOAH, 2017 BEST WILDLIFE PHOTOS
・TOP 25, CALTROUT, 2017 ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST
・GRAND PRIZE WINNER, PHOTO OF THE YEAR 2016, CALIFORNIA WATCHABLE WILDLIFE
・FIRST PLACE OVERALL, CALIFORNIA WATCHABLE WILDLIFE, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2016 PHOTO CONTEST
・HONORABLE MENTION, DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE, 2015 ANNUAL NATIONAL PHOTO CONTEST
partners ・ sponsors ・ Affiliates
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Nikon USA
UC Davis Road Ecology Project Angel Creek Forest Preserve Russian River Coho Salmon Monitoring Program US Fish and Wildlife Service Ventana Wildlife Society NOAA Pacific Wild Solano Land Trust The River Otter Ecology Project Sonoma County Park Service LandPaths |
Defenders of Wildlife
North American Nature Photography Association Wildscreen Point Blue Conservation Pepperwood Preserve US Army of Engineers Andean Cat Alliance Alaska Airlines California Watchable Wildlife Outdoor Writer's Association of California UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab Wildlife Conservation Network |
"The photography of Joshua Asel illustrates the beauty and vital importance of California's wildlife and natural environments,
and he serves as a worthy model for all aspiring environmental stewards."
-State Senator Mike McGuire
