John Stephenson

John is a veteran wildlife ecologist with a steadfast commitment to environmental awareness through education and firsthand encounters with our natural world. Growing up exploring the vast forests of Michigan, he acquired a passion for wild spaces at an early age. After a stint in the U.S. Army and careers in the international non-profit, information technology and restaurant fields, nature called, and John was finally able to pursue his true passion — wildlife adventures in the great outdoors.

Over the years, John has become an internationally respected natural-light photographer with images published in advertising campaigns, catalogs, websites and educational materials. His photographs have graced the pages of publications on three continents, appearing in such magazines as Outdoor Life, Jaeger, La Salamandre, Microshiner and China Elite. He recently participated in the western/wildlife exhibition at the 798 Art Zone in Beijing, China. His work has taken him to more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Asia/Pacific and the Americas. John maintains an unrelenting desire to help others with photography, challenging them to see in new ways and advocating a storytelling role for photography. “I want to energize my guests’ senses so they will leave my tours with a renewed confidence in their ability to capture the enchanted stories of life that will never materialize again,” says John. He is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers, the North American Nature Photography Association, and the Photography Club of San Antonio.

As resident of Wyoming and seasonal visitor to Texas, John stays busy as a small business owner, artist, writer, bat biologist and ordained minister specializing in adventure marriages. In his spare time he maintains an unbridled passion for photography, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, kayaking, horseback riding, and traveling to experience wilderness areas all over the world.

Praise from Nat Hab travelers: 

R. Shedd
"John deserves a whole collection of superlatives. He was our guide, our driver, our geologist, our historian, our wolf tracker, our gear hauler and a person who made our trip one of our all-time favorites. I can't imagine anything he could have done better. He was simply the best. If I were asked to describe what constitutes a 'perfect' guide, I would say that it is someone who knows what the trip has to offer, understands what the travelers are hoping to see or do, and combines those things in the best way possible. John did that perfectly."

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