What we’re about
Georgia Nature Photographers Association is dedicated to helping nature photographers of all skill levels improve their photography, learn and grow, network with outdoor photographers and participate in exciting trips and events. Through our work, we share our appreciation for the natural world and spotlight the value of nature as a photography special interest.
Our goal is to become the Southeast’s premier nature photography club, and we welcome your help guiding and molding GNPA into the amazing future ahead.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- What Nature Photographers Can Learn From PaintingsOatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah, GA
The Coastal Chapter of the Georgia Nature Photographers welcomes Eric Bowles, a frequent speaker for our chapter who always has so much to teach us about nature photography, techniques to improve photography and editing skills to enhance photos.
What Nature Photographers Can Learn from Paintings
Photography is a relatively recent artistic genre compared to painting. Given the long history and different styles of painting, what can we learn and use in our photography? We’ll look at the way painters use color, light, and composition as we review a selection of paintings and photographs that use similar concepts. You’ll walk away with ideas about how you can use concepts from painting in your photography and photo editing to make more compelling images.
Eric Bowles is an Atlanta based professional nature photographer specializing in the southeastern states. As a photo educator, he provides photo tours, workshops and training independently, as Director of Nikonians Academy, and through Chattahoochee Nature Center and Birds Georgia. Eric’s photography has been exhibited in galleries, purchased by corporate and individual collectors, and published in books and magazines. Eric is well known as a judge for photography exhibits and competitions. Eric is Past President of GNPA.
Eric is well known as a judge and speaker. He has been trained in judging photos by Professional Photographers of America, and judges both digital and print competitions for a variety of groups, galleries and museums. Eric is a frequent visitor and speaker for photography groups and host of the Nikonians Webinar Series. For more information about Eric, visit his website at www.bowlesimages.com.
**This meeting is free and open to the public. If you plan to walk the trails after the meeting, please pay the fee at the reception desk in the visitors center. If you are not a member of the GNPA, check us out at GNPA. We welcome all photographers of all levels. All are welcome to go to lunch after the meeting and the restaurant will be decided at the meeting. There are many good restaurants close by Oatland Island Wildlife Center.
- Alpharetta Chapter Meeting: Discovering Your Photographic SignatureAlpharetta Arts Center, Alpharetta, GA
Title: Discovering Your Photographic Signature
Speaker: Joel Bagley
Where: Alpharetta Art Center
238 Canton Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009When: August 20, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Description: What are the values you embrace that shine through your photography? How do you embrace the GNPA Community to enhance and refine your expression of those values?
Come journey with us as we each explore what makes our photographic signature unique.
Bio: Joel Bagley is a Renaissance era soul, a jack of all trades, a master of a few with an undying curiosity of creative expression. Joel’s photographic passion ignited in 1972 and has been part of his long and winding creative journey.
Joel’s early career in multi-media production gave him the opportunity to combine his visual creativity with his music background to create immersive presentations for many of Atlanta’s leading businesses. “Few experiences compare with seeing your work on a huge wide-screen in an auditorium of 100s of people.”
As technology sifted to video, Joel began telling his stories in this new medium. Developing skills as a graphic artist, 3D animator and video editor, he continued to work with the best Atlanta has to offer. 3D animation was in its infancy. The major motion picture studios were just beginning to release high budget special effects movies. Joel was fortunate to work with one of Atlanta’s top post production houses to support the local broadcast television studios. “It was exciting to be watching TV and point to the screen and say ‘I did that.’”
Growing weary of the fast-paced changing technology, in the 2000s Joel changed gears and opened, with his son, a drug rehab center for men. This new venture allowed him to experience, in a new way, the benefits of working in community. During this time Joel discovered his “Success Signature.” This Signature is what has always guided his story telling and today has evolved to his Photographic Signature in his retirement.
We plan to showcase your photos on the TV in the meeting room prior to the speaker presentation. Please upload up to two nature photos that you have taken on the following link.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15rDoMELf-23YRrX3e8N2AmJhG4bdYbj8?usp=share_link
