For nature photographer Jim Clark, some of the most memorable moments he has experienced as a photographer are those times when he is observing rather than photographing. The best times are the memories he will take with him, securely locked into his proverbial Mason Jar, to be taken out when he needs a break from the pressures of life. His Mason Jar is full of memories and he loves to share them with others, especially those experiences involving his exploration of West Virginia.

      "Photographing from the heart" is how many folks from across the country who have attended Jim's workshops and presentations describe his approach in photographing the essence of nature. For Jim, it's not so much the techniques of photography that are important, but rather how one develops a vision and personal style for capturing nature's best on film; how to convey the passion and excitement of the natural world.

      A native son of West Virginia, Jim developed his love for nature during his days growing up in War, a small coal mining community nestled in the mountains of McDowell County. For Jim, the mountains became his mentor and Berwind Lake, just four miles from his childhood home, became his outdoor playground. To this day, Berwind Lake remains one of his favorite spots to photograph.

      After graduating from Big Creek High School, Jim attended Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, where he received his B.S. degree in Wildlife Management. In 1976 Jim attended graduate school at WVU where he conducted research on woodcock in Canaan Valley. He received his M.S. in Wildlife Biology from WVU in 1978.

      Jim's love for nature photography started forming during his time in graduate school. Like most young wildlife professionals, he added a camera to his outdoor arsenal, primarily to record the efforts of his research. But the more Jim recorded nature on film, the more he became interested in the artistic side of photography and in sharing his vision of the natural world with others. At this time Jim decided to pursue nature photography as more than something than to document his wildlife work.

      As a nature photographer and writer, Jim has become an ambassador for the state. Three of his articles for Outdoor Photographer focused on West Virginia. His highly popular musical/slide program, A Natural Celebration, includes a segment about the Allegheny Highlands.

      In 1998 Westcliffe Publishers in Colorado published a collection of Jim's essays and images from the Highlands. West Virginia: The Allegheny Highlands is Jim's tribute to the seasonal wonders and beauty of this unique region of the mountain state. He is now completing a second book about West Virginia and the Appalachian region in addition to working on three other books and several magazine assignments.