by Carly Voight
My photographs are reflections of nature's wonders that I am privileged to experience, from the Neotropical rainforests to the temperate rainforests in Oregon to the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean. Photography allows me to combine my passions - experiencing nature, art, photography, hiking, and traveling. My travels have taken me to the mystical rainforests of Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Ecuador. These forests inspire me to compose what nature presents to those who take the time to listen. Since most of my photography centers on these unique places, I decided to call my photography Rainforest Reflections.

I am currently a masters student in Latin American Studies with a specialization in Tropical Conservation and Development at the University of Florida. Previously, I have worked for The Nature Conservancy in New York, Arizona, Colorado, and Michigan. My most recent position with The Nature Conservancy was on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, as an Ecoregional Conservation Planning Associate. I hold a bachelor’s degree in International Ecosystem Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. As the daughter of an art teacher, I have literally been creating artwork my entire life. Each of my photographs is a reflection of my knowledge of and my passion for preserving natural ecosystems and the biodiversity they contain. I hope that my artwork will instill others with a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature and a desire to conserve the environment for generations to come.

All of my digital photographs have not been enhanced in ways that could not have been controlled in the traditional film darkroom. No photograph is worth the cost of the safety and welfare of the subject. All my photographs are taken in the wild and never in zoos or controlled environments. Unlike some other photographers, I never freeze and then thaw subjects (such as butterflies), wash subjects of their natural debri (such as frogs), or place subjects outside of their natural habitat just to capture a "better" photo. Therefore, what you see is how I found that subject in nature but captured on film with a creative eye - which is what nature photography should be all about. In the words of nature photographer John Shaw, please "respect what you photograph. Don't destroy what you love."

My awards and publications:
Brochure: University of Florida, Center for Latin American Studies – March 2008
Cover shot: “The Journal of Zoolology” - November 2007
Cover and inside shots: "Virgin Voices: Celebrating the Culture and Lifestyle of the Caribbean" – March 2007
Cover and inside shots: "St. Croix This Week" – June 2007, Aug. 2006, Sept. 2006
College Scholarship Winner: North American Nature Photography Association – 2006
Finalist: National Parks Photography Contest – 2004
Best of Photography: The Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago Conference - 2004
Honorable Mention: National Photographer's Forum Best of College Photography – 2002
Best of Fauna & Best of Flora: The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources Photography Contest – 2001
The Nature Conservancy – brochures, website, newsletters, kiosks, and trail signs