Joe and Mary Ann McDonald are the most prolific and active husband-wife nature photography team in the United States today. At least half of each year is spent in the field, leading photo safaris to Africa and other remote destinations, leading photo tours to various US destinations, and conducting digital photography courses and classes at their studio at Hoot Hollow, Pennsylvania and at other US locations. Additionally, Joe and Mary Ann also conduct one-day and weekend seminars across the country.
The shot above was taken after we just completed our 50th mountain gorilla trek in Rwanda, a record for that park! While that was a wonderful personal achievment for us, the park was even happier as we have always brought 5 other trekkers with us, adding needed revenue to this important conservation effort.
Joe's been photographing wildlife and nature since 1966, starting with images of his pet turtles, lizards, and snakes he made as a high school freshmen. By high school he was selling photos to the National Wildlife Federation, and by his freshman year in college he was publishing in that magazine.
Mary Ann's been photographing wildlife and nature professionally since 1990, after her interest was ignited by taking a photo workshop run by her future husband. Since then, Mary's been published in most American natural history magazines, including cover credits with calendars and Natural History magazine.