We had the good fortune of connecting with Jon Kuiper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jon, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Simple answer: being outside. My three biggest passions are wildlife photography, fishing, and golf. I grew up playing golf with my grandpa, dad, and brothers. I always loved to fish growing up. I got into wildlife photography in the last few years, and thats quickly become my biggest passion, and what makes me the happiest. Being outside, and having encounters with truly wild animals gives me a sense of wonder, a rush of adrenaline that I can’t replicate in any other scenario.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I currently spend my summers in Alaska, at Brooks Lodge, home of the world famous bear viewing at Brooks Falls. I work there as a fly-fishing and wildlife photography guide. Every day I spend there I consider myself the luckiest person on the planet. It’s literally my job to walk and talk with people alongside alaskan brown bears. Some of my colleagues and I have also started a wildlife photography guide service within the last year: Think Wild Expeditions, offering intimate, ethical wildlife. photography tours. No baiting of wildlife, no harassing wildlife. Founded and focused on the education of our clients in regards to not only wildlife photography, but conservation of all things wild.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a pretty simple answer: spend a week at Brooks Lodge. However, I’ll answer in a way that isn’t as simple as a single sentence. This is the exact kind of experience we try and deliver to clients with Think Wild. We treat you like you’re our best friends. Tell you everything we know, show you everything we’d want to see within the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, and hopefully in the near future, all over the planet.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I worked a 9-5 job for nearly a decade after college. I was stuck in a routine. Luckily, within the company, I was lucky enough to fill a role that involved a lot of solo traveling all around the western United States. I contribute a LOT of where my life has gone to those travels. The first time I saw Yellowstone, the first bear I ever saw, 11 national parks in 3 weeks, all on those work travels. I met so many amazing people that influenced me during these travels, and, somewhat ironically, convinced me to quit my job and chase my passions. Dave Sandford, Brooke Bartleson, Tiffany Taxis, Arthur Leforestier, Drew Hamilton, Henrik Nilsson, Max Block, the list goes on. I wouldn’t be where I am today, guiding in Alaska and elsewhere, without the influences from those amazing friends

Website: https://www.jwkimages.com, https://www.thinkwildexp.com/

Instagram: @jwkimages, @thinkwildexp

Image Credits
(I took all of these images)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.