Spotlight on Tom Welsh and The Wilds

Long-time PPO member Tom Welsh will be leading a photographic field trip to The Wilds in late September! Tom founded “Tom Welsh Photography” in 2007 in Westerville. While his studio specializes in seniors, headshots, and family portraits, Tom enjoys all types of photography!

Here’s what he said when asked about wildlife photography and his class at The Wilds:

I grew up in SW Pa. and hunting was a big part of growing up back then. I always enjoyed being out in the woods and looking for rabbits, pheasants and deer. There was something innate about those times and I always felt at home and at peace being in nature. Hunting today is with my camera but the memories of days gone by are strong and the feelings of being one with nature bring peace, solitude and creativity. If I’m ever finding that I’m losing my passion for Photography, a trip out on my kayak or a walk in the woods brings it all back! As Albert Einstein said “Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better”!

I find that Wildlife and Nature offer a number of benefits that are great for your soul! Amongst the many are: The Act of Creating, Being one with Nature, Learning to see light, Knowledge of wildlife, motivation to get outside, exercise, and solitude! 

This program will demonstrate how I go about shooting wildlife, the equipment that I use, the settings that bring me the best results, where I go, how I taught myself to see, what I’m looking for, Software I use for editing and the workflow I use to go from capture to final image.

Spanning over 10,000 acres in southeast Ohio, The Wilds is one of the largest conservation centers in the world.

Threatened and endangered species roam open pastures with endless vistas and provide an ideal setting to study ecological recovery and restoration. Visitors can discover The Wilds with a variety of unforgettable tours, including open-air safaris, zipline tours, horseback tours, and many more. 

For the past three decades, The Wilds has become a global force in the conservation of threatened and endangered animal species as well as protecting local ecology. With close to 100,000 visitors each year, it's also proven to be a year-round travel destination offering sweeping views, jaw-dropping safari tours, and unforgettable memories for anyone who visits.