Charles Gurche

Charley Gurche grew up on the outskirts of Kansas City with easy access to the surrounding forests, streams, and farmland. This exploration started him on his great passion of photographing nature. During his years teaching in Alaska, New Mexico, and Washington State, he continued to take outdoor photographs and sold his first photo in 1984.

Charley then decided to take photographs full-time. He wanted to avoid a generic approach, and began producing more emotional, dramatic, abstract, and curious photographs. His work with interesting landscape compositions and lighting has received awards from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and the Society of Professional Journalists.

From his home base in Spokane he travels extensively to photograph natural landscapes. He has produced over 15,000 images, and his work has appeared in a wide range of books, magazines, and calendars including those of the National Geographic Society, Sierra Club, Wilderness Society, and the National Parks Publications. His books include Mt. Rainier National Park, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Missouri, and Thoughts from Walden Pond.