Draft:Justin Black

Justin Black (Photographer)

Born: 1973 Nationality: American Occupation: Photographer, Writer, Expedition Leader, Photo Workshop Instructor Website: justinblackphoto.com Affiliations: Visionary Wild, Fujifilm X-Photographer, International League of Conservation Photographers, International League of Conservation Writers, North American Nature Photography Association

Early Life and Education

Justin Black was born in 1973 and is based in Washington, D.C. He began his professional photography career in 1995, signing his first picture agency contract with London-based Pictor International. He spent most of 1996-1997 living in Cambridge, England, and traveling around the UK and Europe producing photographs for Pictor. This early work focused on travel, landscape, and environmental subjects, which laid the foundation for his future endeavors in conservation photography.

Career

Stock Connection

After moving back to Washington, DC, in 1997, Black was hired by stock photo industry experts Jim & Cheryl Pickerell to serve as a licensing specialist at there Rockville, Maryland-based picture agency, Stock Connection. There he learned the art of valuing, negotiating, and drafting photographic licenses, for use by editorial and commercial clients. Before he departed in spring of 1999, he was invited to have his own photographs represented by the agency. Mountain Light Photography

In May of 1999, Black joined Galen and Barbara Rowell’s Mountain Light Photography in Emeryville, California, as Image Collection Manager, promoting and licensing Rowell photographs for editorial and commercial uses. in 2001, Mountain Light opened a second location on Main Street in the Owen’s Valley town of Bishop, California. In April 2002 the company consolidated all of its activities there, and Black moved to Bishop at this time. Unfortunately, on August 11, 2002, the Rowells perished when the chartered twin-engine Aero Commander 690-B aircraft they were flying crashed on final approach into Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, along with the pilot, Tom Reid, and his girlfriend Carol McAfee. Black served as General Manager and Gallery Curator from 2002 until 2009. During his tenure, he revitalized the gallery's exhibition program and expanded the image collection. He also played a key role in relaunching the workshop program, collaborating with leading professional photographers including Frans Lanting, Jack Dykinga, John Shaw, Pat O’Hara, Nevada Weir, Macduff Everton, and David Muench. International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP)

Following his time at Mountain Light, Black became the Executive Director of the International League of Conservation Photographers in 2009. At ILCP, he oversaw numerous conservation photography expeditions, book projects, and multimedia projects aimed at advancing conservation efforts worldwide. His work contributed to successful campaigns and increased public awareness of environmental issues.

Visionary Wild

In early 2011, Black co-founded Visionary Wild, a photographic workshop and expedition company. The company offers immersive learning experiences for photographers seeking to deepen their creative and technical skills. Under Black's leadership, Visionary Wild has become renowned for its high-quality programs and expert instruction. Black has earned a reputation as one of the best photo workshops instructors and travel organizers in the world, with the editors of both Outdoor Photographer and American Photo magazines having referred to him as a photo safari expert.

Photography and Publications

Black's photographs have been published internationally in prominent outlets such as National Geographic Adventure, Sierra, Sunset, American Photo, Outdoor Photographer, Nature Conservancy, Hörzu, and Wild Eye. His work has also been featured in advertising campaigns for brands like MasterCard, Patagonia, Nikon, and Fujifilm. Additionally, his images have supported conservation campaigns for organizations including the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, The Wilderness Society, and The Sierra Club, among others. He has contributed writing and/or photographs to several award-winning photo book projects, including Galen Rowell: A Retrospective, Freshwater: The Essence of Life, and Our National Parks: America’s Natural Heritage. His limited edition prints have been exhibited widely in the United States and Europe, and are in private collections around the world.

Recognition and Awards

Black is a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Writers and has served as a judge for Nature’s Best Photography competitions. The North American Nature Photography Association commonly seeks him out to conduct portfolio reviews for members attending their annual Summit. In 2017, he served as an Executive Producer for the award-winning documentary film Headhunt Revisited: With Brush, Canvas, and Camera.

Personal Life

Justin Black is married to Lena Black, who serves as the Director of Operations for Visionary Wild. Together, they manage the company's operations and contribute to its mission of providing transformative photographic experiences.