About Us

The Alliance for Responsible Nature Photography

Nature First promotes the protection and preservation of the world's natural and wild places through inspiring, educating, and uniting everyone making photographs and videos in nature; empowering them to be ambassadors of the natural world.

Nature First was launched in 2019 by a group of passionate nature photographers who were concerned about the impact of nature photography on the natural world. The inaugural meeting was held in Ridgway, Colorado at the base of the spectacular San Juan Mountains. This first little meeting led to others and eventually to the establishment of the Nature First Principles and, later, the Nature First organization.

Less than three years later, Nature First is a rapidly growing international organization with over 5000 members in 72 nations.  Our membership represents a diverse, international body of casual hobbyists, aspiring professionals and some of the world’s most accomplished nature and wildlife photographers and videographers.

Everyone is welcome.  The only prerequisite for joining this alliance is a passion for nature and a commitment to Nature First’s principles for environmental stewardship and responsible nature photography.  We’d love to have you join us!

Photograph well, treat nature kindly and enjoy the reward!

Nature First founders together in 2019

Back row: Matt Payne, Erik Stensland, Ron Coscorrosa, David Kingham, Michael Anderson, and Tony Litschewski

Front row: Jack Brauer, Scott Bacon, Sarah Marino, and Jennifer Renwick

Nature First is recognized as a Public Charity under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code.

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