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Jim Brandenburg (photographer)

Jim Brandenburg (November 23, 1945 – April 4, 2025) was an environmentalist and nature photographer and filmmaker based near Ely, Minnesota. His career included over 10 years as a newspaper photojournalist, over 30 years as a contract photographer for the National Geographic Society, and commissions from such groups as the United States Postal Service, NHK, and the BBC.

Jim Brandenburg was a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.[1]

Brandenburg died April 4, 2025, at the age of 79.[2][3][4]

Recognition

In 1991, for his work with the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, his creation of the Concerts for the Environment non-profit organization, his work with the Nature Conservancy, and other achievements, Brandenburg was awarded the Global 500 Environmental World Achievement Award.[5] This United Nations sponsored recognition was presented to him by the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf.

In 2006 Brandenburg was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, by the University of Minnesota.[6]

Four of Brandenburg's images were chosen for inclusion in a collection that represents the 40 most important nature photographs of all time. The Top Forty nominations include the work of 25 photographer. The images selected were: Oryx on Namib Desert, Namibia, southwest Africa; Gray Wolf near BWCAW, Ely, Minnesota; Leaping Arctic wolf, Ellesmere Island, Canada; and Bison on Frozen Landscape, Blue Mounds State Park, Luverne, Minnesota. They were chosen by members of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP).

Brandenburg's image of the leaping Arctic wolf was named one of 100 most important photos in Canadian history and was included in the book 100 Photos that Changed Canada.[7]

Publications

Title ISBN Date Published
White Wolf: Living With an Arctic Legend ISBN 0-942802-95-0 1988
Minnesota: Images of Home ISBN 9991161295 1990
Brother Wolf: A Forgotten Promise ISBN 1-55971-210-4 1993
To the Top of the World: Adventures with Arctic Wolves ISBN 0-8027-8219-1 1993
Sand and Fog: Adventures in Southern Africa ISBN 0-8027-7476-8 1994
American Safari: Adventures on the North American Prairie ISBN 0-8027-8319-8 1995
Scruffy: A Wolf Finds His Place in the Pack ISBN 0-8027-8445-3 1996
Chased By The Light: A 90-Day Journey ISBN 1-55971-671-1 1998
Looking for the Summer ISBN 1-55971-838-2 2003
Face to Face with Wolves ISBN 1-4263-0242-8 2008

References

  1. ^ "Jim Brandenburg". International League of Conservation Photographers site. Archived from the original on 2011-06-21. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  2. ^ "Celebrated wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg dies aged 79". Digital Camera World. 2025-04-07. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  3. ^ Harris, Geoff (2025-04-10). "Remembering top wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg". Amateur Photographer. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  4. ^ "Community remembers renowned Minnesota wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. 2025-04-06. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  5. ^ "UNEP Global 500 Laureates - Award Winners". Archived from the original on 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  6. ^ "University of Minnesota: Scholars Walk". www.scholarswalk.umn.edu. Archived from the original on 2008-09-07.
  7. ^ "100 Photos That Changed Canada by Society History, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, Oct 8, 2009