John Bates is an emerging professional photographer and full-time college student specializing in nature, wildlife, and outdoor digital photography. Together with his artist bride, Geri, they scour the country to obtain their unique images. As demand for these high quality custom prints has increased, they are making these images available to the public for the first time on the web, in a site specially designed to showcase their talent.

John’s interest in photography began in the 70’s and led him to enroll in a special program at East Texas State University majoring in Wildlife Photography, with a minor in Wilderness Survival. His education was put on hold to serve in the U.S. Air Force and raise a family, but now that their two boys are grown his passion for nature photography has been renewed. After a 27 year hiatus, John and Geri have returned to their studies in Photographic Technology and Fine Arts, respectively. It is this complimentary blend of artist’s eye and photographic skills that produce the compelling images of Due North Gallery.

John is a member of the Fuji film Pro Network and the North American Nature Photographer’s Association, and is scheduled to begin classes at the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography in early 2004.