Roy Toft
Award Winning Wildife Photographer:
Blending his engaging sense of humor with his passion for nature and enthusiasm for his work, Roy Toft shares his adventures in the field. His entertaining presentations combine powerful conservation messages with award-winning wildlife photography. Toft, a true advocate of endangered species worldwide, will inspire his audience to see the world differently for years to come.
About Roy Toft: Dedicated to documenting our natural world for future generations, professional photographer Roy Toft is an accomplished conservation photographer. With a background in wildlife and conservation biology, Toft chooses to focus solely on wild images that convey a sense of the animal’s character and spirit. His images have been featured in National Geographic, Smithsonian, Audubon, Wildlife Conservation, Discover magazines and other notable publications to advance conservation efforts globally. As a result, he has been named a founding fellow of the prestigious International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP). Toft's striking wildlife images are also available worldwide through the National Geographic Image Collection and Getty Images. Roy shares his love for teaching & photography by regularly instructing photographic classes, tour groups and workshops in the field. Roy's popular Rainforests of Costa Rica workshop was recently filmed for television. The show, Fine Living Network's Fantasy Camp, has appeared on television and airline flights. His home office is in the scenic mountainous region of beautiful north county San Diego.
Presentation Topics
Endangered Species and Habitat Conservation ... While There's Still Time
This presentation includes the documentation and discussion of some of the most endangered species worldwide: including India’s Bengal tigers, Africa’s Cape (wild) hunting dogs, Madagascar’s unique fauna, cheetahs and even highly endangered iguanas. Toft will include the challenges involved in documenting these vanishing species, and describe what is being done by researchers to make a difference.
Photography as a Powerful Conservation Tool
In this presentation Toft takes us on a journey through the many places and species that his images have helped. He emphasizes what continually inspires him is the ability to make a difference, and emphasizes that all photographers – amateur and professional alike – can help.
Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula: Mecca of Biodiversity
This presentation showcases the beauty of Costa Rica’s largest remaining rainforest, found in the remote Osa Peninsula which has been called “the most biologically intense place on the planet” by National Geographic. Toft travels to Costa Rica multiple times annually, and is currently completing a book project on the natural wonders of this amazing Peninsula.
Alaska’s Wild Side:
In this presentation Toft recounts his annual journey to view Bears in Alaska, including three different Brown Bear habitats and his recommendations for the best places to view and photograph Bears. Toft emphasizes how fragile the world’s wild places are, and how everyone needs to remain vigilant in their advocacy for the bears’ protection.
Africa's Hidden Gem - Botswana:
This presentation details Toft’s most exciting adventures on safari from one of Africa’s leading conservation success stories – Botswana. Toft will describe the country’s eco-tourism focus, and how it fosters an appreciation for and preservation of endangered species such as the rare African wild hunting dog and cheetah.
Japan’s Winter Wildlife:
In this presentation Toft describes his annual trek to Japan to spend time with two impressive but highly endangered species on the remote northern island of Hokkaido - the majestic red-crowned crane and the gigantic Steller’s sea eagle which he encounters in the pack ice off the Hokkaido coast. He will also take you to the main island of Honshu to observe the curious and photogenic Japanese macaques (also known as snow monkeys).
Tiger Tales:
This presentation documents Toft’s adventures while on assignment with one of National Geographic’s top photographers, Michael (Nick) Nichols. The resulting cover story on Wild Tigers was also filmed for television as a National Geographic Explorer special. The team relied heavily on “remote camera traps” in the field to record behaviors rarely filmed in the wild. Toft will discuss the challenges involved in capturing these images, as well as the significant and ongoing challenges facing the wild tiger today.
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Check out the cover article about Roy in the January 2007 issue of
Wildlife Art!
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Program Director Notes
“Thank you very much for joining our annual PSA conference and giving us your “Tiger Tales” show. I can honestly say that your presentation was the hit of the meeting! Many people made a point of telling me how much they enjoyed your program in particular. Thanks again for helping to make our meeting a rousing success. I look forward to seeing more of your programs in the future.”
Kenna Mawk
Chairman, Photographic Society of America (PSA)
Gold Rush and Yerba Buena Chapters
”I received numerous favorable comments about your Community Outreach presentation at NANPA, including the comment that you should be a keynote speaker at the Summit sometime. Everyone appreciated your passion for and in depth knowledge of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. I also think they got the message that saving these great places of bio-diversity is important. Thank you again and good luck!”
Tom Carlisle
Program Director
North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA)
“What a spectacular program! Your photographic images were amazing. In additional, this was the largest turnout of people for any of our past programs. You volunteered to return for another program – Yes, Yes, Yes! Thanks again for taking the time to speak to our group.”
Mannie Kugler, Chair of Program Committee
Sierra Club
San Diego Chapter
“You did such an awesome job presenting to the North County Photographic Society last year (and judging our member show - thank you so much on both counts!), we're hoping we can talk you into another presentation. We've been lucky to have a few extremely informative and dynamic speakers, and you were definitely one of those few!!!”
From the newsletter announcement: “Because I think we can all agree he has been one of our most outstanding speakers, I am happy to announce that Roy Toft will be returning as our June presenter. He last entertained us previously with fantastic images from his many Costa Rica trips, educating us not only with great photographic techniques but also about the incredible natural elements of this region. This time, we'll be practically on the other end of the continent with him, in Alaska! So come see some fantastic imagery and hear one of our most dynamic speakers share how he gets his exceptional photographs under challenging conditions”
Carrie Barton, Program Director
North County Photographic Society
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