JESS LEE'S BIOGRAPHY

My Journey

Let's see, oh yes, once upon a time I had a Brownie Box camera.... I bet you can fill in the rest.

The point is, that I love creating great images for others to enjoy and I have been doing it for a very long time. 

My Work

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of contributing to a multitude of esteemed publications. These include the iconic National Geographic, National Wildlife, Defenders of Wildlife, Paris Match, Geo, Sports Afield, Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, and many more. My work has graced the covers of National Geographic (the big yellow magazine) and National Geographic Books, among others. With notable articles featured in various National Geographic publications, Sierra, Smithsonian, Audubon, and more, I am now offering my meticulously crafted photography as museum-quality, large-format wall art.

With over four decades of experience as a professional photographer in the fine art and editorial nature fields, I have been fortunate to have my unique perspective of the world embraced by a diverse range of clients. From large corporate collections to the halls of Congress, my work has been widely accepted. One of my most cherished achievements is having my art displayed in one of the largest and most prestigious Veterans hospitals in the United States. As the project director aptly put it, 'your art adds beauty to the lives of the veterans of our country who have given so much to all of us to keep us safe.' My work has also been presented to members of the US Senate by conservation organizations, serving as a poignant reminder of their duty to preserve the beauty of our land. I have supplied large corporate art displays, including over one thousand of my prints, and my work has been exhibited at renowned venues such as the Annenburg Center for Photography. My exclusive limited edition fine art prints are held by private collectors worldwide.

A credits few other photographic article photographs include Audubon, Defenders, Field & Stream, Geo, Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, National Geographic World, National Wildlife, National Parks, U.S. National Park Service, Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Outdoor Life, San Francisco Examiner, Scientific American, Sierra, Sports Afield, Der Stern, Trout, Woman's World, Wyoming Wildlife. Author/Photographer: Fly Fisherman, Das Stern, Rod & Reel, Das Tier, Trout, Western Outdoors. Books: American Geographic, Houghton Mifflin, National Geographic, Time-Life, Riverbend. Calendars: Day Dream, National Wildlife, World Wildlife Fund. Advertising/Corporate: ATT, Autolite, Orvis, USWest. Calendars: Day Dream, National Wildlife, World Wildlife Fund. Emmy winning TV Series, Americas National Parks by Ken Burns.

In the advertising world, my work has been used in many local and worldwide campaigns, with one of my images being used in an advertisement three stories high on the Bank of the West corporate headquarters on the San Francisco skyline.

International photography workshop leader, and gallery owner with Fine Art Prints represented in galleries throughout the West.

My Passion

Today we are very lucky to have great tools at hand to create images that were impossible just a few years ago. This allows me to create genuine, very large, high resolution images, taken in the light created by our solar system rather than on a computer. Beyond the technology is the skill to capture wondrous visions at moments in time that make the images come alive to the viewer. This is done with well thought out composition, understanding of the importance of studying details, and the patience to find the perfect light. The result is the finest print available to enhance your space, bring you joy, and allow you to mentally drift into the essence of the print as do hundreds of other collectors worldwide.

My Philosophy

For me the wonder of wild places and wild things has always been captivating; something to be held sacred, revered and held in trust for future generations. This has always been one of the prime motivators in my drive to capture the wild world. Without a commitment to conserving what we have been gifted with on this planet, we only create another pretty picture. Without the goal of preserving what we have, we can only record what was.

My goal is not only to preserve what we have for the future, but to restore what has been abused and misused in the past. One of the great under appreciated responsibilities we have is to preserve the culture of the peoples we call Native Americans, who came to North America before the European settlers and the traditional western ranching lifestyles.

I have worked for decades to advance these goals. Working on many conservation projects from water and stream conservation awareness as a chapter president of Trout Unlimited in the early 1970's, to the current battle to not allow wolves and other predators to be removed from our ecosystems and lives. In the years between, I have contributed my photography to many campaigns of restoration and preservation. My work has been used to help bring creatures such as the Grizzly Bear, Bald Eagle and Wolf back from the edge of extinction in our nation. 

Today we are still faced with many conservation challenges. Possibly more than ever before as our culture sinks into only being concerned with" now" forgetting what we do now will forever alter the future.

Advice for Nature Photographers

As I lead my workshops I am often asked," how do I break into the world of nature photography?"

My reply is: " find some place or something near your home that you feel is worthy of saving. Capture its spirit with your images. Show why it has value to be saved for the future. Photograph it in ways to bring it to life, show the wonder of it's being and do it so well no one will even try to do it better."

Beyond the goal for recognition, you should find ways to use your photography talents to help the conservation organizations of your choice. As an example, today in addition to financial contributions, I donate fine art images to several conservation organizations as fund raisers. I have for many years donated a seat in one of my workshops to be given as the Grand Prize in the Defenders of Wildlife photo contest.

"If through your photography you can even in a small way help preserve or restore just one place or one thing, you will be a successful nature photographer." Jess Lee

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Jess Lee: Master Fine Art Nature Photographer & Conservationist

1. The Vision: Capturing the Essence of the Wild

I started my journey with a simple Brownie Box camera, but the mission remains the same: to create great images that allow you to mentally drift into the essence of the print. Today, I am proud to offer museum-quality, large-format wall art that is crafted to be a timeless enhancement to your space.

My photographs are a result of skill, well-thought-out composition, and the patience to find the perfect light created by our solar system—never manipulated on a computer. This dedication allows me to create genuine, very large, high-resolution images that truly come alive to the viewer. This is more than a purchase; it's an exclusive, limited-edition investment in a moment of natural wonder.

2. Unparalleled Authority & Trust

With over four decades of experience in fine art and editorial nature fields, my work has been embraced by a diverse range of clients and organizations, establishing a deep sense of trust and E-A-T (Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness).

Key Publications and Media: My photographs have been featured on the covers and in the pages of the world's most prestigious publications, including National Geographic (the "big yellow magazine"), National Wildlife, Smithsonian, Sierra, Defenders of Wildlife, Paris Match, Geo, and many others. I have also contributed to the Emmy-winning TV Series, America's National Parks by Ken Burns.

Notable Collections and Public Trust :

• My art is held by private collectors worldwide and has been used in large corporate collections, including a three-story display on the Bank of the West headquarters in San Francisco.
• One of my most cherished achievements is having my work displayed in one of the largest and most prestigious Veterans hospitals in the United States, where my art "adds beauty to the lives of the veterans."
• My work has also been presented to members of the U.S. Senate by conservation organizations.

3. The Conservation Commitment: A Legacy Beyond the Lens

For me, the wonder of wild places is sacred. My drive is not only to preserve what we have, but to restore what has been abused. Every photograph is rooted in the philosophy that we must conserve what we have been gifted.

I have worked for decades to advance these goals:

• Restoration Impact: My photography has played an important role in campaigns to help bring creatures such as the Grizzly Bear, Bald Eagle, and Wolf back from the edge of extinction in our nation.
• Grassroots Advocacy: Served as a chapter president of Trout Unlimited in the 1970s and continue to donate fine art images and workshop seats to organizations like Defenders of Wildlife for fundraising efforts.
• Cultural Preservation: Dedicated to preserving the culture of Native Americans and the traditional Western ranching lifestyles.

A Note for Aspiring Photographers

"If through your photography you can even in a small way help preserve or restore just one place or one thing, you will be a successful nature photographer." — Jess Lee

 Jess Lee Biography