Field Notes

March 15, 2015 Every year since 1944, the Missouri School of Journalism has recognized the best work in photojournalism through the Pictures of the Year International (POYi) contest. The contest is the oldest (72 years) and considered by many the most prestigious photojournalism program and competition in the world. This year, I took third place in the Science & Natural History category for an image of a black bear standing tree. I am honored to have my image in the same company with other photographers working for National Geographic, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and many more.

March 10, 2015 I am always looking for the next great shot of Juneau. And what is better than a shot of Juneau with the northern lights. Each year I need that perfect image for the next year’s Juneau calendar. This image got so much attention on Facebook it is definitely a contender. Can you believe the FB reach surpassed the 100,000 mark, more than any other post to date!

March 2015 Celebration is one of the largest gatherings of Southeast Alaska Native peoples and it is the second largest event sponsored by Alaska Natives in the State of Alaska. Celebration is held every other year, and I was the official photographer for Celebration 2014. It is a true honor to attend the event and bear witness to the importance of this cultural celebration to the people of Alaska. Sealaska released its annual report and included a beautiful collage of images.

February 4, 2015 GRAPHIS announced its winners of the 2015 Photography Annual this week. Two Mark Kelley images claimed a Silver prize and a third image qualified for a Merit award. I took the image below while on vacation in Portugal in 2013. “Portugal Sunset” is a silver award winner. The Photography competition features some of the most compelling photography of the year. I am looking forward to the actual magazine which will include the silver prize winners.

November 25, 2014 I thought I would share my Smithsonian acceptance speech for my family and friends who missed the great event. This image of the exhibit was taken at the end of the awards gala as we were leaving the exhibit.How cool is this. I am in the Smithsonian in DC, and even better, my image is in the Smithsonian. Thank you Nature’s Best for this great honor and for this grand evening of celebration. Thank you to my family and friends for showing up and sharing this moment with me. Most of all, thank you to my wife, Jan, who when our boys were very tiny and the money was very tight, convinced me to give up my weekly paycheck as the photographer for the local daily newspaper in order to pursue my dream of becoming a nature/wildlife photographer. Fast forward 21 years later, and I am standing here receiving this award; a sweet acknowledgement of our very good decision. Finally, this photo REALLY would not have been possible without Jan…she is the human standing in this piece of heaven on earth in Yosemite National Park.

November 20, 2014 Thank you MARY CATHARINE MARTIN for your article in the Juneau Empire. The Empire included a large sized image of the photo in the Smithsonian exhibit – it covered almost half the page!

From October 24, 2014 through April 20, 2015 Enjoy this video of the 2013 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

October 24, 2014 Nature’s Best Photography exhibit opens today! We mentioned last spring that  Mark Kelley is a 2013 Windland Awards winner in the Outdoor Adventure category. The actual Nature’s Best Photography exhibit opens today and includes Mark’s image Vernal Falls Rainbow

August 2014 On location as a guest speaker at Camp Denali during the Special Emphasis Series 2014:  “Autumn Nature Photography Workshop”.