Seasons of the Nature Center: A Photographic Journey of Seas

Full title: Seasons of the Nature Center: A Photographic Journey of Seasonal Transitions at the Eagle River Nature Center In production Award-winning nature photographer Colin Tyler describes moving to Alaska as the greatest journey of his life. Originally from Minnesota, he earned a BA in Psychology from Mankato State University in 1996 and accepted an internship in Anchorage to complete his academic requirements. Colin was always in search of adventure, and Alaska suited him well. Almost immediately, he felt an urge to capture on film the beauty and grandeur around him. He received a Nikon camera for Christmas in 1996 and began taking classes to learn everything he could about the craft. By the winter of 1998, he had his first photo published in the Anchorage Daily News. He continued honing his skills, spending the early 2000s back in Minnesota until he could no longer resist Alaska’s pull. He moved to the small town of Chugiak in 2007 and managed a popular portrait studio in Eagle River. He also taught photography classes and hosted slideshows at the Eagle River Nature Center. In 2013, he lost his home, possessions, and beloved cat to a fire, a devastating development that caused him to reevaluate his path and rekindled his desire to travel. Four countries, two continents, and several months later, he returned to Alaska. He learned that a winter caretaker position had become available at the Nature Center, and he took on the role in October 2014. This lead to a place on the staff and, significantly, nearly a decade of opportunities to photograph the area’s scenery and wildlife year-round. In addition to the Anchorage Daily News, Colin’s work has been published by Alaska Magazine, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Associated Press, AT&T Alascom, and the U.S. Postal Service. He has received awards for Best New Artist, Best in Show, and Best Visual Artist at juried art shows and had three images selected for the 2021 alaska WILD exhibition, including Best of Landscape, and two images in Alaska WILD 2023. Colin’s career has gone global. He has taken photos in Thailand, Cambodia, India, New Zealand, Australia, Cuba, Iceland, Norway (including Svalbard, an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean), Namibia, and Ethiopia. While he will continue to make Alaska his home, he has taken on a new role as owner and guide at Nat Expo Tours (www.natexpotours.com), a photo expedition company specializing in far-flung locals that he created with fellow photographer, Mike Haring. Colin would like his photographs to bring about inspiration and aware ness to conservation, be it in Alaska or on the other side of the world. He hopes, as you turn the pages, that you will find joy and solace in the images. You can view more of his work at www.colintyler.com