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Joe and Mary Ann McDonald

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Joe and Mary were Keynote speakers at the
recent 2017 NANPA conference, telling their
story on photographing the world's 7 Big Cats.


Last Update: March 24, 2017

Read an Interesting Interview with Joe
or this Blog or ProTeam bio from Gura Gear

Joe and Mary Ann McDonald are the most prolific and active husband-wife wildlife and nature photography team in the United States today. At least half of each year is spent in the field, leading photo tours and safaris to Africa, South America, India, and other exotic locations, as well as various tours and workshops in the US. They conduct their Complete Nature Photo Course and Advanced (Flash) Courses at their studio at Hoot Hollow, in central Pennsylvania. At their studio they have hosted students and photographers from around the world, including photographers from Australia, the UK, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Belgum, South Africa, Singapore, Canada, and Mexico, as well as from all four corners of the US.

Additionally, in their free time Joe and Mary Ann occasionally conduct one-day and weekend seminars on photography, offered across the country.

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In Yellowstone, 2015, in the Lamar Valley

They have been leading photo safaris to East Africa for nearly thirty years, and photo tours to Yellowstone and to Arizona for even longer. In 2016 they will complete their 100th Mountain Gorilla trek in Rwanda -- the world record for non-researchers!

They have written multiple books (see below) and the two have been the most successful husband/wife photo team in the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Together, to date (2015) they have placed fifteen times, with three firsts, and multiple seconds and thirds. Both Joe and Mary Ann are Contributing Editors of Nature Photography magazine, writing a regular feature each issue.

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In northwestern India, on our Snow Leopard Expedition, 2015

Joe McDonald

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Joe's been photographing wildlife and nature since 1966, starting with images of his pet turtles, lizards, and snakes that he made as a high school freshmen. By high school he was selling his photos to the National Wildlife Federation, and by his freshman year in college he was publishing in that magazine. Soon after he was represented by several different stock photo agencies, eventually being represented worldwide by over 18 agencies.

Since then, Joe's been published in every natural history publication in the U.S., including Audubon, Bird Watcher's Digest, Birder's World, Defenders, Living Bird, Natural History, National and International Wildlife, Ranger Rick, Smithsonian, Wildlife Conservation, and more. He is represented by multiple stock photo agencies, both domestically and world-wide. He is a former columnist for Outdoor Photographer magazine and presently serves as a contributing editor for Nature Photographer magazine. In the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition Joe has had winning photographs, including the winning photograph in Mammal Behavior, on 8 different occasions. Together, to date (2015) they have placed fifteen times, with three firsts, and multiple seconds and thirds, they have won more frequently in that contest than any other photography team.

He is the author of nine books and one ebook. His latest, Dangerous Creatures, also features some of his high speed flash and remote trigger photography. His ebook, Understanding High Speed and Camera/Flash Triggering Systems, is the most complete how-to book on this subject. Joe’s other books include A Practical Guide to Photographing American Wildlife; The Wildlife Photographer's Field Manual; The Complete Guide to Wildlife Photography; Designing Wildlife Photographs; Photographing on Safari, The New Complete Guide to Wildlife Photography and African Wildlife, A Portrait of the Animal World. His book, Designing Wildlife Photographs, was judged best book by the Outdoor Writers Association of America for 1994. In 1999 he produced Photographing on Safari, Joe and Mary's first instructional video. With Rick Holt and Mary Ann McDonald, he is also the author of an ebook, Digital Nature Photography - From Capture to Output, a PDF that covered both photographic techniques and essential Photoshop skills.
See Joe's Books

Joe is especially well known for his expertise in electronic flash and using equipment for high speed flash and for remote, unmanned photography. He conducts a special Advanced Flash course nearly every year, covering all aspects of electronic flash and camera remotes.

Joe is a founding member of NANPA, the North American Nature Photography Association, is a NANPA fellow and a former Board of Director for that organization.
He has conducted multiple educational sessions at the annual NANPA summits, and he and Mary Ann have been Keynote speakers at this event. He has also addressed nature photography groups around the country, in Arizona, California, Florida, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and elsewhere.

Joe and Mary Ann McDonald are arguably the most prolific and active husband-wife wildlife and nature photography team in the United States today. At least half of each year is spent in the field, leading photo tours and safaris to Africa, South America, India, and other exotic locations, as well as various tours and workshops in the US. He and his wife Mary Ann conduct their Complete Nature Photo Course and Advanced (Flash) Courses at their studio at Hoot Hollow, in central Pennsylvania. At their studio they have hosted students and photographers from around the world, including photographers from Australia, the UK, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Belgum, South Africa, Singapore, Canada, and Mexico, as well as from all four corners of the US. Additionally, in his free time Joe conducts one-day and weekend seminars on photography, offered across the country.

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On South Georgia, on an Antarctic expedition

Mary Ann McDonald

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Mary Ann's been photographing wildlife and nature professionally since 1990, after her interest was ignited by taking a photo workshop run by her future husband, Joe. Since then, Mary's been published in most American natural history magazines, including cover credits with calendars and Natural History magazine.
Mary has written numerous children's books, including Leopards, Grizzly Bears, Woodpeckers, Flying Squirrels, Cobras, Boas, Pythons, Garter Snakes, Rattlesnakes, Jupiter, Cows, Horses, Chickens, Ducks, and Sunflowers. These text and photo books are illustrated with photographs by Joe and Mary Ann. Mary's also writen an adult coffee table book, Out of the Past, Tradition and Faith of the Amish in 1996.

In 1994 Mary won two first place awards in the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. Her two winning entries are once in a lifetime shots. Her fighting flying Great Egrets is a rarely photographed action, and her shot of Noon, a tigress in India, is historic as Noon, and so many other tigers of the Indian park where the image was made has probably been killed by poachers.

Mary Ann is also a founding member of NANPA, and has been one of their most frequent Masters of Ceremony at their annual summits. She regularly visits schools in a Visiting Author program, where she inspires young students in writing, photography, and natural history studies.

Joe and Mary Ann's work appears regularly in calendars and publications of the National Wildlife Federation, World Wildlife Fund, and such companies as Audubon, Birder's World, Brown Trout, Day Dream, Landmark, The Nature Company,Northword, Pet Prints, and numerous others. Although their work is represented by a number of stock photo agencies worldwide, they also maintain an active stock photo sales file from their Hoot Hollow home.

Leading photo tours, safaris, and workshops Joe and Mary Ann travel extensively. You'll agree, if you check out the Gold Schedule of their tours and trips. One year, Joe and Mary Ann traveled to six continents.

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Looking mean and deadly during Holi, an Indian festival of colors,
not their normal colors or looks!

Read an Interesting Interview with Joe
or this Blog or ProTeam bio from Gura Gear


Check out our latest website,
mcdonaldwildlifephotos.com

where we'll be constantly adding new portfolios!

Office Phone: (717) 543-6423
Or FAX us at: (717) 543-5342


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