Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jennifer Leigh Warner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jennifer Leigh, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

When I was a child I was obsessed with big cats, especially cheetahs. I had posters and stuffed animals of big cats all over my room. When I was about eight years old, I remember watching a National Geographic special about a photographer who went to Africa for three months to photograph a family of cheetahs. It was then and there I knew I wanted to be a conservation photographer.

When I grew up to be a full time conservation photographer one of my first calls I made was to the Cheetah Conservation Fund. I wanted to work for an organization that was saving the species that I loved the most.

I have been blessed with going to the Cheetah Conservation Fund field center in Namibia and getting to photograph cheetahs first hand. I have been able to watch their teams as they work on a holistic approach to saving their species and have been able to see my photographs displayed in presentations, educational materials and fundraising efforts.

This project has really come full circle for me and given my life’s work meaning.

Jennifer Leigh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Jennifer Leigh Warner is a renowned professional wildlife photographer, conservationist, and educator. She has gained recognition for her dedication to capturing the beauty and fragility of the natural world through her lens and for her commitment to wildlife conservation.

Her passion for wildlife photography began at a very young age and with a degree in Communications and Photography from the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University she began pursuing a full time career in nature photography directly out of college.

Jennifer was elected to the North America Nature Photography Association Board of Directors in 2023 and has been serving as the Chair of the Ethics Committee since 2018. She is also a certified Texas Master Naturalist, an Ambassador for Nature First and a mentor for the non-profit Girls Who Click, which encourages young girls to consider a career in conservation photography.

She is a Nikon Professional and her fine art images have been on display in art festivals, galleries and museums throughout the United States. Her images have also appeared in the Namibia Expo 2020 Dubai and at the Climate Change Summit in Morocco in 2016.

Jennifer’s images and writing have been published in the Journal of Wildlife Photography Magazine, Outdoor California Magazine, Gizmodo, the NANPA Expressions Magazine, Outdoor Photographer Magazine, WIRED, The New Yorker, National Geographic Online and Wild Planet Photo Magazine among others.

In addition to Jennifer’s photography she is a public speaker, who has presented for Professional Photographers of America, North American Nature Photographers Association and was the 2022 Keynote speaker for the Winter Wings Festival. When she is not speaking in person she also runs an online workshop community.

Jennifer is deeply passionate about sharing the natural world with others and thoroughly enjoys teaching photographers how to create images that they can be proud to hang on their wall.

You can learn more about Jennifer and the conservation work that she does by visiting her website at www.experiencewildlife.com.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

One of the primary goals of my work is to foster coexistence with our wild neighbors. Through my photographs, I strive to bridge the gap between humans and the wildlife surrounding us. By showcasing the intricate lives of animals and the delicate balance of nature, I hope to encourage place where both humans and wildlife can thrive.

My photographs aim to inspire hope. Each image is a reminder of the beauty that still exists and the potential for a brighter future. By highlighting success stories of conservation and renewal, I aspire to motivate others to take action and believe in the possibility of positive change.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Today, more than ever we as a society, need to support artists and creatives. With the rise of artificial intelligence, it has become more difficult for people to distinguish reality from fantasy. Real images still need to be made and real stories need to be told. For creatives keep making authentic work and utilize truth in captioning to educate your viewers on your authenticity. For photo viewers, think twice before sharing A.I. generated images. Boost real artists and support their work by sharing their images, buying their artwork and keep “real” artists in the headlines.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.experiencewildlife.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experiencewildlife/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExpWildlife/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-leigh-warner-0571073a/
• Twitter: https://x.com/expwildlife
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/experiencewildlife
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@experiencewildlife

Image Credits

All images were made by me, Jennifer Leigh Warner