Laura Crawford Williams has been a professional wildlife photographer for 17 years. Her photography has been featured in National Geographic, National Wildlife, and The Nature Conservancy magazines. Laura’s dedication and adventurous spirit led her to explore more than 270,000 kilometers of the most remote areas in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Brazil. She photographed diverse and unique species in some of the wildest landscapes on Earth. All in the name of wildlife and wild lands conservation.

“Our world is full of unique, fragile, and irreplaceable beauty. In the face of difficult times in my life, it is the natural world that healed me, calmed me, and inspired me. I remain desperate to protect it – every tiny, amazing piece of it.” –Laura Crawford Williams

Before becoming a professional photographer, Laura Crawford Williams earned undergraduate degrees in visual art and scientific illustration. For advanced studies, she attended The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed a master’s degree in biomedical art. When combined with her professional experience in designing and producing software, Laura has developed a unique blend of scientific knowledge, technical expertise, and visual skill. This diverse mix gave her an advantage in becoming successful in the competitive world of professional wildlife and conservation photography.

Laura’s reputation as a world-class wildlife photographer is undeniable. She has earned multiple national and international photography awards, been published by National Geographic magazine, and exhibited in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. In 2015, she was published beside many of the world’s best wildlife and nature photographers – in Sublime Nature: Photographs that Awe & Inspire, produced by National Geographic Books. These examples are only a few of the impressive accolades she has acquired.

When asked why she works so hard to be successful, she said: “I believe that every human is born with a sense of wonder and an attraction to nature. This connection either develops into an ecological conscience or is forgotten as we mature. It is up to those of us who know we cannot live without wild things to inspire those who believe they can. Photography is an excellent way to do this – to elicit emotional response and connection!”

Laura’s reputation as a world-class wildlife photographer is undeniable. She’s earned multiple national and international photography awards, been published by National Geographic magazine, and exhibited in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. In 2015, she was published beside many of the world’s best wildlife and nature photographers in, Sublime Nature: Photographs that Awe and Inspire, produced by National Geographic Books. These examples are only a few of the impressive accolades she has acquired.

Before my life as a wildlife photographer, I worked for a newly established software company. The hours were long, the work was intense, and by the time the company was sold in 1999, I was thoroughly burned out. To recharge my depleted battery, I would walk with my dogs in the forests and prairies surrounding my home. A creative spark was ignited and I began carrying a camera as I walked. In 2001, my first published images appeared in National Wildlife magazine and by 2007, I had been published in National Geographic magazine. It felt like the pinnacle of success. The truth is, I never intended to become a professional wildlife photographer. I was simply doing what I love to do.

“I first traveled to southern South America in November of 2007. My photo destination was Argentina. More specifically, La Pampa at Estancia Tierra Fiel with German Ambrosetti as my guide. We had no idea at the time that this trip would lead to our traveling over 270,000 kilometers together in southern South America during the next several years.

“When I returned home, I created a book of images as a thank you gift for the owners of Tierra Fiel. Their response to the book was familiar; I had seen it from other people, in other places. First, they were surprised and amazed by the beauty and diversity of life within the borders of their own farm. Then, they discovered a new appreciation for species they once considered common and unnoteworthy. With childlike wonder, they reconnected to the cycle of life happening within the landscapes around them. Ultimately, these feelings rekindled their interest and reinforced a sense of pride in the land that had been in their family for years.

“My passion isn’t only for taking pictures; I am happiest when I am able to share the soul-filling, emotional experience I have while in the field. I believe that every human is born with a sense of wonder and an innate connection to the natural world. This connection either develops into an ecological conscience or is forgotten as we mature. It is up to those of us who know we cannot live without wild things to inspire those who believe they can.”