Who?

By January 28, 2005March 12th, 2020General

Phillip Colla bio: I am a natural history photographer and writer. I focus on wild marine mammals, the California kelp forest, inhabitants of remote eastern Pacific islands, National Parks of the American West and, most recently, waves. I am fortunate to have visited many spectacular terrestrial and underwater settings as well as to have encountered a variety of threatened and endangered animal species on and in the ocean. My natural history photography has appeared in the pages of BBC Wildlife, National Wildlife, National Geographic Magazine, Ocean Realm, New York Times, Ranger Rick, Reader’s Digest and Skin Diver as well as many others, has been used in various advertising and publicity campaigns, is on display in aquaria and museums, and is occasionally recognized in photographic competitions. My underwater videography has been broadcast in various productions in the United States and abroad. My current plan is to shoot it all. Here are some “self portraits” I’ve shot out and about.

Click here for a list of my publication and broadcast credits.

The Milky Way galaxy arches over Arch Rock on a clear evening in Joshua Tree National Park

The Milky Way galaxy arches over Arch Rock on a clear evening in Joshua Tree National Park.
Image ID: 26792
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA

Delicate Arch and Milky Way, lit by quarter moon, hiker's flashlight and the fading blue sky one hour after sunset. Arches National Park, Utah

Delicate Arch and Milky Way, lit by quarter moon, hiker’s flashlight and the fading blue sky one hour after sunset. Arches National Park, Utah.
Image ID: 27855
Location: Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Photographer in the Virgin River Narrows, with flowing water, autumn cottonwood trees and towering red sandstone cliffs, Zion National Park, Utah

Photographer in the Virgin River Narrows, with flowing water, autumn cottonwood trees and towering red sandstone cliffs.
Image ID: 26130
Location: Virgin River Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah, USA

Bubble ring

Bubble ring.
Image ID: 06998

Bored photographer takes own picture, Tabletop, Cardiff by the Sea, California

Bored photographer takes own picture
Image ID: 18973
Location: Tabletop, Cardiff by the Sea, California, USA

The long shadow of a hiker lies on Mobius Arch, a natural stone arch in the Alabama Hills, Alabama Hills Recreational Area

The long shadow of a hiker lies on Mobius Arch, a natural stone arch in the Alabama Hills.
Image ID: 21733
Location: Alabama Hills Recreational Area, California, USA

Phillip and Tracy Colla

Phillip and Tracy Colla.
Image ID: 03469
Location: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Mesa Arch, Utah. An exuberant hiker greets the dawning sun from atop Mesa Arch. Yup, that's me, Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park

Mesa Arch, Utah. An exuberant hiker greets the dawning sun from atop Mesa Arch. Yup, that’s me.
Image ID: 18036
Location: Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!