About Me
Jonathan Holmes
Bio
I grew up in Southern California and I joined the US Army as quick as I could (had to get out of the concrete jungle). I was in the 2-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 82nd Airborne Division for two combat tours to Afghanistan. I had the pleasure of going to sniper school between my deployments which subsequently got me a few years stationed at Ft. Benning, GA as a sniper instructor.
After the military I worked for a private military contracting group conducting diplomatic security overseas. I also chose to live in the Southern U.S. as the lifestyle was my speed and there is much more nature that is easily accessible (and less people!).
Once I got tired of traveling overseas and wanted to change jobs I did not know what to do next… so I worked for law enforcement for a few years until my health began to severely limit what I could do physically due to problems that developed in the military.
I have a BA in intelligence studies and am currently finishing up my MS in environmental policy with a concentration on fish and wildlife management. I would like to start my doctorate next but will probably take a short break.
I volunteer my time as a North Carolina Master Gardener and hunt for things to add on iNaturalist. My goals are to promote conservation, to bring light to the importance of fungi, and share the phenomenal experience of viewing wildlife that is not captive.
My Photography Inspirations
A few things inspired me to get into photography. Growing up my father was a paid photographer in his free time and it always appeared to be very complex. All I knew was he got to go to cool events, meet interesting people, and take pictures with expensive looking equipment. He always seemed to capture the coolest moments and were so vivid in the photographs he took.
Fast forwarding to now, I needed a hobby that was relaxing, allowed me to do something interesting, and tied together my schooling with other hobbies. I also had to quit many of my old hobbies due to growing physical limitations. Photography is able to help further my goals of promoting wildlife conservation, the importance of fungi, as well as being physically active in a nature.
I am striving to become a better photographer so hopefully you will see better photographs with time.
A THANK YOU to my wife because she puts up with me and all my shenanigans.