As a nature and wildlife photographer based in Los Osos, California, my passion for nature and love of art fuel my photographic vision. I find comfort and renewal by spending time amidst the wonders of the natural world. My greatest enjoyment comes from capturing those fleeting moments in nature that are often missed by the casual observer and sharing them with others. I am a self-taught photographer. My formal education in art and design help me to see and compose pleasing images of the natural world.
I became serious about my photography in 2007 when, at the encouragement of friends and family, I entered my first photography contest. Taking first place in the Flora category gave me the drive necessary to pursue nature and wildlife photography full time. Several years later, I entered the same contest and took first place in the Animal category. I most recently received the honor of being a tier II and tier III winner for the prestigious 2014 NANPA Expressions annual. This has been my third time as a Tier III winner. The first time was in 2010 second in 2012 and most recently in 2013. It is a publication that highlights the top 250 photographs from the NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association) Showcase competition held each year. It displays the very best photographs selected from thousands of submissions by a jury panel of industry professionals. As well as being a member of the North American Nature Photographers Association (NANPA) I also sit on the Environmental Committee for NANPA as well. I belong to the San Luis Obispo Camera Club, The Photo Morro Bay Yahoo Group, and the program committee for the 2012 Morro Photo Expo. In addition to these groups, I am also a mentor for the Advanced Photography Class at Morro Bay High School. Most recently I have completed the California Naturalist certification program sponsored by the University of California.
Articles:
Ranger Rick: Big Wins for Wildlife
Outdoor Writers Association of California: Defining Ethical Wildlife Photography & Viewing
Santa Maria Sun-Times: Coyote Central Coast: Coyotes have a long and colorful local history, which still thrives today
Mother Nature Network: How to be a wildlife photographer while on a family vacation
Mother Nature Network: Endangered Island Fox is Back from the brink after record Breaking Recovery
Mother Nature Network: One glimpse of these baby Kit foxes and you’ll be hooked on their story
Mother Nature Network: How to take great bird photos in your backyard
TreeHugger.com: Photographing Wildlife in your own backyard, Q&A with Donald Quintana
The Slo Coast Journal; Shutterbugs February 2013: Photography Hobby or Obsession with Donald Quintana
Santa Maria Sun-Times: Local Photographer shows off wildlife at the Nipomo Dunes Center
Awards:
Natures Best Backyards 2020 Professional Category Winner: Red Fox Family
National Audubon Photography awards 2018 Profesional Honorable Mention: Red-winged Blackbird
New Times Winning Images 2007 1st place Category: Flora
New Times Winning Images 2010 1st Place Category; Animal
New Times Winning Images 2013 1st Place Category: Animals
New Times Winning Images 2013 2nd Place Category: Animals
New Times Winning Images 2013 Honorable Mention Category: Travel
North American Nature Photography Association Tier III winner 2010
North American Nature Photography Association Tier III winner 2012
North American Nature Photography Association Tier III winner 2014
North American Nature Photography Association Tier II winner 2014
North American Nature Photography Association Tier III winner 2015
North American Nature Photography Association Tier III winner 2016
National Wildlife Federation Photo of the Day; January 2nd, 2013 Sea Otter Mother with Pup
National Wildlife Federation Photo of the Day; June 6th, 2013 Long-tailed Weasel Peek-a-boo
TreeHugger.com Photo of the day: October 25th, 2013: Barn Owl
TreeHugger.com Photo of the day: October 18th, 2013 Lazuli Bunting with Spider
TreeHugger.com Top 10 images for October 2013, #9: Lazuli Bunting with Spider
California Watchable Wildlife Photo of the year contest Sett/October 2016, Honorable Mention: Sandhills At Sunrise
Publications and exhibits:
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Conservation Easement Photography project at the Avenales Ranch.
Tha Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo Direct Mail campaign for the preservation of land alongside Hwy 46
Kings Canyon National Park, Wayside board, Big Stump Picnic area.
High Country News, Dec. 22, 2014 Vol. 46 No. 22 Hunting for Scorpions: Image page 27
National Audubon Society 2014 17-month Calendar cover image:
New Times Slo/Santa Maria Sun Winning Images cover 2013: Image
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge interactive display
Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove Display signage
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center Exhibit: The dunes are alive
Bio Science Magazine
Merced County Times front page Image
San Luis Obispo Information Press Cover image
NANPA Currents Magazine Expressions image
USGS Circular 1395 Mercury in the Nation’s streams- Levels, Trends, and Implications
Associations and Memberships:
Outdoor Writers Association of California
National Audubon Society
North American Nature Photography Association
CPS Canon Professional Services
National Park Services VIP (Volunteers In the Park) Program
Certified California Naturalist