Geoff CoeGeoff Coe, Fort Myers-based wildlife photographer, photographed along Bunche Beach.

Bio

Although I've been a photographer and writer for most of my working life, when I moved to Florida in 2004 I knew next to nothing about birds. A whitewater kayaker in Colorado, I found myself bored at first with the slow pace of Florida waters, so-against the stern advice of my insurance agent!--I began taking my camera and telephoto lens on kayak trips to record the unknown but beautiful creatures I saw as I paddled.

Each day's paddle excursion brought new questions, and at first I emailed bird-loving friends and relatives to help me figure out what I was seeing. Before long, my contacts were tactfully suggesting I do my own research--one even mailed me a child's "Golden Book of Birds" to help make her point.

And so I did. Trained as a scientist in college and graduate school, I've always been curious about the world around me, and I've always used my camera as a tool to help me explore. I paddled, then researched--not just the birds, but also the refined techniques required to excel in the world of bird and nature photography. Before long, I was hearing from folks again--this time, asking if the images I was sharing online were for sale.

And so an old career was made new again. I began exhibiting my work at outdoor art festivals in 2008, and within a year I was carving out a niche as a workshop leader and speaker about birds, photography, and the beauty of nature. I exhibit my work at festivals throughout Florida and the Atlantic Coast. Click the Shows link on the menu bar to see when I'll be near you.

If you'd like to read more about me and my work, read the detailed Q&A session published in Arts Illustrated, an online magazine celebrating the arts and artists!

Awards

Best in show, 2-D artist, Sanibel-Captiva Lions Arts & Crafts Show, March 2018
Best in show, 2-D artist, Glynn Visual Arts Fall Show, October 2014
Best in show, 2-D artist, Englewood Rotary Art Festival, March 2013, 2016
Best 2-D artist, Chesapeake Bay Art Association show, October 2013
Best in show, “Heron's Dance,” Wings 'n Water Wildlife Art Festival (Stone Harbor NJ), July 2First prize, photography, Englewood Rotary Art Festival, 2015, 2016, 2017
First prize, photography, "Great Blue Heron Preening" Wings 'n Water Wildlife Art Festival, Sept. 2011
Albert D. Morris Award for superior craftsmanship, Seawall Art Festival, August 2012
Award of Excellence, Ocean City (NJ) Boardwalk Art Show, August 2011
First prize, photography, Venice-Nokomis Rotary Arts & Crafts Festival, January 2010
First place, photography, SUNsational Awards (for "Jazz on the Green" concert photography) sponsored by the Florida Festival and Events Association, 2008
Entries judged among top 250 nature photographs of the year in the North American Nature Photography Association's annual contest, 2009 ("Egret Lake"), and 2013 ("Splish, Splash!", "The Scouting Party")

Gallery Exhibitions

"Winged Wonders: Birds of Lee County" Six-week exhibition at Fort Myers Beach Public Library, April-May 2016 and speaking engagement
Featured artist exhibition at the Goodyear Gallery, Jekyll Island, GA, November 1-30, 2015
"Pixels & Paddles," exhibition, speaking engagement, and workshop, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound, FL, March 2015. “Birds, Wings, and Other Things”: Exhibition and speaking engagement, JDSP, Jan. 4-31, 2013
“Visiting Artist of the Month” at Harbour View Gallery, Cape Coral, FL, Oct. 2011
“Art in Public Places” program: Office of Lee County (FL) Commissioner Tammy Hall, Aug. 15-Sept. 23, 2011

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