Member Profiles

From time to time a member will be profiled, telling a little about themselves and other information regarding their photograhpy. Learn more about the members and where they like to shoot and their favorite subjects. Members, fill out a bio form to get your bio on the website for other members to learn more about you.

Andy Long

Club Member since - 1992

Photography Level - Full-time Pro

Year Started Shooting - 1976

How got into photography
While stationed in Germany in the Army I purchased a 35mm camera to take pictures while travelling around Germany and a couple of other countries. After getting out of the Army and attending college I switched majors to journalism with an emphasis on photography.

After college, I got a job as a sports writer for the St. Petersburg Evening Independent but still did photography on the side. Later on, I also became photo editor of an auto racing magazine.

During the time I was doing sports, I got a job as a sports writer / photographer for the Jackson Hole (WY) Guide. While there, I became interested in wildlife and nature photography.

Several years later I made the switch from sports to wildlife and nature. After several years of building up my files and get established while doing this on the side I eventually switched to doing this as my full-time profession.

Favorite Places to go Shooting
Alaska, Alaska, Alaska. While there are places I enjoy going in the lower 48, I have become enthralled with what all this wonderful state has to offer. I lead workshops here for northern lights, bears, and eagles with plans on adding several more.

Favorite Shooting Season - Winter

Camera Type - Digital

Camera Bodies - Primary body is a Canon ID Mark II

Lenses - 20-35mm, 70-200mm, 100mm macro, 600mm

What you like most about doing photography
Being out enjoying God's wonderful creation. Every time I go out I see something new and different, even if it's to a place I've been numerous times before. It's amazing what there is out there for us to enjoy. I always take the time to soak in my surroundings as I think this helps me create images of what it's truly like out there.

In doing wildlife photography, I love to be able to capture the peak of action so others can see the amazing things out there that so few people are able to experience as I'm able to do.

Taking the time to show the beauty of a small flower and how much detail there is to it.

Most Memorable Photo Experience
The night the sky was on fire during my northern lights trip in 2007. This was my fourth trip to do the northern lights and one night was by far the greatest light show I've ever seen. The activity went on almost non-stop for two hours. And the colors we saw were tremendous, with seeing purples for the first time. One trip participant was so excited he was screaming with excitement.

Shows, teaching experience, awards, credits
As a full-time pro, I'm an assistant editor of Nature Photographer magazine and a featured writer for the magazine as well as for two online magazines - www.apogeephoto.com and www.gonshoot.com. During the summer and fall season I do art shows throughout the state of Colorado. My work has appeared in more than 50 magazines, books, calendars and cd's. Have been leading photo workshops since 1994 and have been a featured speaker at numerous seminars, programs and conventions. I'm also a featured artist at the Trail Ridge Art Gallery in Winter Park, CO.

Website - www.firstlighttours.com

Photos ©Andy Long