NOW BOOKING SANDHILL CRANE PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS
About the photographer
A PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY: Living out a mentor's career advice
A photojournalist mentor once told me I should strive to return to what I was most passionate about later in my career. Thanks to the support of colleagues, friends, and family, I've been able to do just that. After a long career in journalism, including senior corporate roles with the Berkshire Hathaway Media Group and Lee Enterprises, I left to establish a photography business here in my native Nebraska. Since then, I have worked hard to become part of a vibrant community of conservation organizations and individuals who share a similar affection for our state and everything it offers.
In the Midwest, we are surrounded by natural beauty, wildlife, and many interesting people. And did I mention unpredictable weather? Through my photography and video, I take a documentary approach to what truly makes our state and its people unique. You can find examples of this work on my website, on my social media channels, and in area art galleries.
You can keep up with my latest adventures and photography by Following me: https://www.facebook.com/jzcarneyphotography.
Some have asked where my passion for photography comes from. A lot of credit goes to growing up in a community journalism household. My parents published community newspapers in David City, Wahoo, Waverly, and Ashland. I spent a lot of Friday nights covering high school football games, summers at county fairs, and reporting on stories one can only find in the Midwest. After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a journalism degree, I went to work as a staff photographer for several news organizations, including the Associated Press in Kansas City, the Des Moines Register in Iowa, and the Omaha World-Herald.
After accepting a dream role in the World-Herald's Lincoln bureau -- where I covered University of Nebraska sports, regional features, and breaking news stories -- I knew I was finally able to return "home." The newspaper's well-known outdoors writer, Larry Porter, was another amazing influence. I was fortunate to be included in many of his statewide adventures and stories. He helped grow my passion for Sandhills and Platte River Valley landscapes, and the wildlife inhabiting all corners of our state.
Over the years I've been fortunate to win local, regional, and national awards for my work. I have had photographs published in the New York Times, Washington Post, LIFE, the National Geographic magazine, news wires services, as well as conservation publications like Nebraskaland Magazine. I have also been able to share my photography passion with students as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Creighton University in Omaha.
While I still do editorial and commercial work for a few select clients, I am spending most of my time these days focused on landscape and wildlife photography, as well as supporting conservation organizations, including the Crane Trust: https://cranetrust.org/. The Alda, Nebraska organization works hard to manage and restore habitat for Whooping Cranes, Sandhill Cranes, and other migratory birds along the vital ecosystem of the Platte River.
I am now partnering with the Crane Trust to organize small-group (1 to 3 people) photo tours during each spring's crane migration. Proceeds from those tours go directly back to the Crane Trust to help with their conservation mission. I'll spend several weeks with other photographers along the Platte River documenting what National Geographic calls the "World's Greatest Migration."
It's also not a coincidence that my wife Wendy and I live along the Platte River north of Ashland. Our family has called this area home now for more than 17 years. I feel fortunate that I'm able almost daily to see all the ecosystem has to offer, from an abundance of wildlife to some pretty amazing sunrises and sunsets.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my photography journey. I would like to hear from you. Just click on the button or fill out the form below, if you have any questions.
Whether you're viewing my Fine Art Prints, or taking a look at some of the daily photography I post to this website and my social media channels, I hope you too enjoy some of what our state has to offer!
Cheers, Jeff
CREDENTIALS & CUSTOMERS
Sandhill Crane Photo Tours!
JOIN ME IN MARCH OF 2025 TO PHOTOGRAPH THE MIGRATION SPECTACLE...