Gary Luhm left his engineering job in 1998 to pursue outdoor and nature photography full-time. His unique imagery stems from a relentless exploration of the water planet by sea kayak, which is his taxi, his toolbox, sometimes even his tripod. Gary is an expert in creating images from small boats. He creates solutions to business concepts by drawing from the natural world.
Some recent work has been with small charter boat operators Ursa Major, Home Shore and Over-the-Seas in Alaska and Baja, MX. With eleven Alaska trips in eleven years — covering much of Southeast, the Kodiak archipelago, the Kenai penninsula, Prince William Sound and Denali — Gary has a large portfolio of wild Alaska images.
Gary is an avid birder, especially by kayak. He wrote "Birding by Kayak" articles for Sea Kayaker and Washington Birder, presented "Birding by Kayak" seminars to local Audubon groups, sea kayak clubs and symposiums and has taught Bird Photography. His pursuit of the photograph has led to much of his knowledge of bird behavior and locating birds – and to the construction and use of blinds (hides) when needed. His bird credits include R.W.Morse's bird books, National Wildlife, Canoe&Kayak and a recent Audubon endangered species campaign that featured his Kittlitz's Murrelet. Some of Gary's bird photography is on line at: www.birdwatchingalaska.com.
Gary's photographs and articles have appeared in the New York Times, Sierra, Outside, National Wildlife, Sea Kayaker, Canoe and Kayak, Paddler, Paddle World, Wetdawg, Mariner Kayaks, Power & Motoryacht, International Yacht Vacations, Sports Etc, Photomedia, Seattle Metropolitan, various books and other publications. Gary also shoots images for Necky Kayaks, Werner Paddles and Kokatat.
Wood Duck, Canon 5D
Read Gary's destination article on the Slot canyons of the Colorado Plateau (Winter 2000), and Olympic Coast's photogenic hot spots (Winter, 2001) in Photomedia. Follow his July, 2001, Cape Scott, BC kayak trip from journal entries published daily via Globalstar satellite phone at Wetdawg. Look there for Reports From the Water: Cape Scott.
Paddling and birding destinations for 2008 include California in March, Glacier Bay, AK in May; Lac LeJeune, BC in June; the Olympic Coast in July, Johnstone Strait, BC in August, Bowron lakes, BC in September, and Baja, MX in November. Gary is now shooting with Canon 5D and 40D dSLR's.
All images © 2006 Gary Luhm
