A Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff photographer, Noppadol Paothong, discovered his love and passion for wildlife photography back in college in 1995. He had worked as a full-time photojournalist at the Joplin Globe and the Springfield News-Leader.

The MDC's monthly magazine, Missouri Conservationist, has a monthly circulation of 500,000, and it's recognized as one of the largest of state wildlife magazines.

His photography skills have been recognized by more than 60 regional and national awards, including Finalist in BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Award of Excellence in Craft in OWAA (Outdoor Writers Association of America) photo contest, honor award in Nikon International Contest, winner in National Wildlife Federation photo contest, Award of Excellence in POYi (Picture of the Year International), ‘Mark of Excellence’ by Society of Professional Journalists, and ‘Picture of the Year’ by Associated Collegiate Press three years in a row.

His photographs also have been published in many magazines, such as National Wildlife Magazine, Field & Stream, Discovery Magazine, Shooting Sportsman, Birder’s Word, Turkey Call, Montana Magazine, New England Fish & Game, and Colorado Outdoors.

• Missouri Conservationist Covers
• Missouri Conservationist Articles
  • Photos: Nature's Helicopters (May, 2008)
  • Article & Photos: Sprit of the Prairie (March, 2008)
  • Photos: Missouri's Winter Bats (December, 2007)
  • Photos: Thirty Years for Missouri's Natural Areas (September, 2007)

Wildlife photography is a combination of art and science, so to speak. It takes a labor of love and understanding of both photography and wildlife. It takes years of practice with trial and error and a long time commitment and determination.

To document wildlife in their natural environment, it is crucial to fully understand them first to predict their behaviors. I spend as much time as possible reading and researching about my subject. For example, before I began photographing prairie grouses, which has lasted more than 7 years and has turned into a book project, I spent more than a year reading materials and talking to many wildlife biologists.

Photography is a way of communication and being creative in the communication. I also spend a lot of my time experimenting with new techniques and new ways of photographing.

My goal as a Missouri Department of Conservation photographer is to make people care about nature and wildlife and understand the need to preserve precious natural resources through my photographs.

Email: nop@nopnatureimages.com