David W. Shaw — Wildlife Biologist & Photography Guide

I’m a professional photographer, writer, and photo educator based in Salida, Colorado, with two decades of life and work in Alaska behind me. My images and writing have appeared thousands of times in publications across the world, including Shutterbug, Professional Photographer, Amateur Photographer, Landscape Photography, Photo Technique, Bokeh, Digital Photography School, ExpertPhotographer, and Nature TTL. My writing on science and natural history has also appeared in Sierra, Defenders, Alaska, Birds and Blooms, Birdwatching, UnDark, Scientific American, and Ensia, among others.

I hold both undergraduate and master’s degrees in wildlife biology and I’m an expert naturalist with a deep love for all wild things — particularly birds.

Background

I spent 20+ years living in Alaska, much of that time exploring the state’s wild corners with my camera, leading wilderness trips, photography expeditions, birding tours, and natural history excursions. I now live in Salida, Colorado, returning to Alaska regularly to lead trips and stay connected to the place that shaped my work. Internationally, I’ve traveled to dozens of countries on nearly every continent, guiding on expedition ships in Antarctica and South America and leading birding and photo trips throughout South and Central America.

My Philosophy

I strive to create the kind of photography workshops and natural history tours that I would want to join. That means a dedication to small groups, unique and extraordinary destinations, one-on-one attention, customization, and above all, enthusiasm for the trips I lead and the places we go.

When you join me on a trip, there won’t be an unknown trip leader — I lead virtually every trip on my schedule. There won’t be competition for information; groups are small and there’s time for everyone. There won’t be crowds; the destinations I choose are off the beaten path, or sometimes off any path at all.

How I Operate

Every workshop and tour I lead is insured and permitted to operate in the areas we visit — no exceptions. I’m also a certified Wilderness First Responder, the backcountry equivalent of an EMT and the industry standard for guides working in remote areas.

Conservation and Ethics

Above all, I’m passionate about protecting the world’s wild places and animals, and I believe travel and tourism have real power to inspire conservation. All of my tours follow the guidelines set by Nature First — The Alliance for Responsible Nature Photography, where I’m a Silver Level partner. Travel has its own unavoidable impacts, like the fuel burned getting us where we’re going; I minimize that where I can with fuel-efficient vehicles and offset the rest by purchasing carbon credits. On top of that, I commit at least 2% of all trip profit — usually more — to conservation efforts in the places we travel, I’m an ongoing supporter of Audubon Alaska, the Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Rhino Conservation Botswana, Trustees for Alaska, and the Center for Biological Diversity.

I put my money where my heart is: wild animals and wild places. I hope you’ll join me in doing the same.