Charles Glatzer, EOL
Chas is a Canon Explorer of Light, the group is comprised of the most influential photographers and cinematographers in the world, each a master of their creative specialty.
Since founding Shoot The Light in the mid-nineties, Chas has cemented his place in the world as one of the top wildlife photographers working today. His dynamic and inspirational teaching have also made him one of the most sought after educators and speakers in his field.
The depth and diversity of his background make him truly exceptional in the world of wildlife photography. Prior to founding Shoot The Light, his illustrious career had already included work in portraits, weddings, advertising, catalog and product, editorial reportage, professional sports, and underwater photography. This diverse work experience over his 34 years as a professional photographer provides workshop participants and seminar attendees with an unparalleled resource.
Chas' work has been celebrated internationally with over 40 prestigious awards for superior photographic competence demonstrated through photographic competition, advanced education, and service to the profession. His images are recognized internationally for their lighting, composition, and attention to detail and have appeared in many publications worldwide including National Geographic, Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, National Parks, Discover Diving, Smithsonian, Professional Photographer, Birder's World, Birding, Nature Photographer, EOS, Digital PhotoPro, and many more.
As an accomplished natural history and keynote speaker, Chas has presented at many prestigious events including Explorer's Club NYC, Audubon, Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, Fuji Professional, Mid-Atlantic Photo Expo, NANPA, ASMP, CNPA, GNPA, and PPA. He also continues to serve on many judges' panels for both national and international photographic competitions.
When not behind the camera or computer, Chas can be found on the river fly fishing near his home in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina.
Ken Jenkins
I grew up in Newport, Tennessee, a small town at the foothills to the Great Smoky Mountains. I spent my early years around folks that care about each other, work very hard, and encourage each other…people that love their country, trust in God, and want for very little.
My outdoor interests were keen as far back as I can remember. My mother and father and brother camped and hiked in the mountains all my young life. As I look back to those years, I can clearly see that my early locations, associations, and vocations all led to this great pursuit of photographing wildlife and everything else that nature presents. I had a camera as early as 12 years of age and began to get real serious about my photography in my early twenties. After all of these years, I still get just as excited when I am watching a bear or a beaver as I did when I was young. My first book (if you could call 28 pages of text and photos a book) came out in 1983. It was titled “A Walk With the Smoky Mountain Bears”. Soon to follow was “Bathed In Glory” a photo essay book on the Cades Cove region of the Smokies. Later on, I wrote a series of wildlife books called “The Wilderness World of…Baby Bears”, “…of River Otters”, “…of White-tailed Deer”, “…of Baby Raccoons”. My first coffee table book was published by Graphic Arts Center Publishing in 1993 and was titled, “Great Smoky Mountains National Park”. Later titles were Reflections of the Grizzly, Reflections of the Wolf, and Reflections of the Black Bear.
We began Pathways to Nature Publishing in the early 90’s and released an assortment of note cards, posters, journals, and other photographic pieces. It has been a wonderful pursuit traveling around this wonderful world and recording the beauty of God’s hand. I spend time in twelve different national parks each year along with many days along America’s rivers all for a special sixteen year relationship with a corporate client. I climb all over my beloved Smokies where I live on the edge of the park.
My great passion is in the world of birds. They fascinate me and teach me and I love to watch birds more than anything else I observe. I read extensively and especially the old writers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition to all of the above, I work a lot at the publishing warehouse, the galleries, and the stock photography business. I like to work because everything that I do reminds me of something positive and wonderful in my life.
Brett Wells
Brett has a B.A. in Graphic Design from Samford University, an M.F.A. from the University of WestMinster in Photographic Studies, and currently teaches all over the country as a part of being a sales and tech rep for Sigma Photo. After finishing his Masters, Brett spent two years doing architectural photography for a London real estate firm. When he moved back to the states, he became an instructor at the Atlanta Institute of Art where he taught a myriad of subjects for seven years. While at the Art Institute, he had the opportunity to lead several workshops for student groups to locations such as China and Italy. Even though his job now is defined as a “technical” representative, he is still an educator at heart and you can see that in all that he does. When asked what is his favorite method of shooting, he will still answer, “4×5 film”. That is fitting since I don’t think he owned a digital camera until maybe 2009? He escapes to these mountains any chance he gets and loves leading workshops here because any day in the Smokies with a camera is a good day!