Roy Toft is an award-winning professional wildlife photographer and biologist whose images not only convey a sense of animal spirit but also grapple with changes to our natural world. He is also a co-author of the book, Osa, Where the Rainforests Meets the Sea, with ecologist Trond Larson.
Dedicated to documenting the wild for future generations, Roy’s photographs advance conservation efforts globally. He does this in part through his work with the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP), where he is a founding fellow.
Roy’s work has been featured in many magazine and publications including National Geographic, Audubon, and Discover magazine, among others. He has also received top honors in the most prestigious competitions in his genre, such as the London Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Nature’s Best, and BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competitions. Roy’s striking wildlife images are also available worldwide through the National Geographic Image Collection and Getty Images.
Roy shares his love for teaching and photography by regularly instructing photographic classes, tour groups and workshops in the field. His company, Toft Photo Safaris sponsors annual expeditions for photographers of all levels in destinations including Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Alaska, Botswana, Chile, India and others.. His ever popular Rainforests of Costa Rica workshop has been filmed for television. The show, Fine Living Network’s Fantasy Camp, has appeared on television and airline flights.
Roy is a very engaging speaker! He frequently shares his stores and professional insights through lecturing at major photography conferences, scientific institutions, and on various lecture series.
Roy makes his home set on ten acres in mountainous north county San Diego, California. He enjoys essentially everything active and out in nature, including hiking with the dogs, surfing, and mountain biking. His favorite pastime when not traveling to lead photography expeditions or workshops is designing and cultivating his extensive garden, inspired by South African flora, including a wide variety of aloes and other exotic plants.