Launstein Imagery is essentially a family photo collective, comprised of four nature photographers: Jenaya Launstein (now 20), Marlise Launstein (18), Josiah Launstein (13), and John Launstein (dad). Melanie (mom) and Charis (16) round out the animal-loving entourage. Also part of the family home near Pincher Creek, Alberta are two Newfoundland dogs, a Saint Bernard, two cats, and a bunch of much-loved lop rabbits.

It’s pretty safe to say the Launsteins are veritable animal fanatics: they simply love animals of every shape and size, and there’s no other subject they would rather frame through their lenses. That care for God’s created world and all its inhabitants shows through in their images, which are not only increasingly sought after by private collectors and publishers but have been selected for numerous exhibitions in such venues as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Natural History Museum in London, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, and more than 70 additional museums and galleries world-wide. The Launstein Imagery Wildlife Art Gallery opened in 2016 in the Crowsnest Pass in southwestern Alberta. Their images have been published by Arizona Highways, Outdoor Photography, Nature’s Best, Canadian Geographic, National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife magazine, Canadian Wildlife Federation’s WILD magazine, Nature Photographer Magazine, Outdoor Photography Canada, and many others. The Launsteins’ story and their wildlife photography have also been featured in several magazines, newspapers and other media.

John began photographing professionally in 1989, releasing a line of limited-edition fine-art nature prints and operating a successful commercial photography business with his wife before stepping back to serve in pastoral ministry and later as the CEO of an international non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring the next generation. In addition to a commitment to photographic excellence, he brings a passion for teaching, public speaking, writing and development to the family business. Above all, John treasures time spent with his family photographing wild animals in wild places.

Along with winning several of the top wildlife photography competitions, Jenaya was named the 2013 Youth Photographer of the Year in the prestigious Nature’s Best Windland Smith Rice International Photography Awards. In addition to Nature’s Best, Jenaya has won the under-18 categories of the National Wildlife Federation photography competition, the Birds as Art International Photography competition, Canadian Geographic Wildlife Photography of the Year, and the Big Picture Natural World Photography competition. She has been featured in several top wildlife and photography publications, and is being applauded for her commitment to conservation and ethical photography. Her work has been selected for exhibition in the Smithsonian in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. You can learn more about Jenaya and her incredible accomplishments in photography on her bio page.

Marlise is the Launsteins’ resident artist, and while she is incredibly gifted in the medium of nature photography, most often you find her with a sketch pad and pencil in hand, in front of the computer with a Wacom tablet, or working on a pen and ink masterpiece. Like her sister and brother, she has won and been highly honoured in several wildlife photography competitions as well as having her photography selected for exhibition in natural history museums.

Josiah is early into his life as a wildlife artist but has been working diligently at growing his vision and skills since age seven. In 2015 he became the youngest ever to be named Young Outdoor Photographer of the Year with his B&W image of two bighorn rams doing battle. Just a few years later he was named Young Outdoor Photographer of the Year a second time (also for a black and white bighorn image!), making history as the first photographer to win a category twice in the history of the competition. Josiah has also been awarded in the largest conservation photography competition in the world, Por el Planeta, and is now a multiple award-winner in Bird Photographer of the Year and a 3-time winner in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. His work has toured the globe on extended exhibits in natural history museums and galleries.

In 2016, Nikon flew Josiah to Thailand to produce a short film about his wildlife and conservation photography. Josiah is extremely dedicated to his craft and passionate about the animals he photographs. We are excited to see where his love of nature and photography will take him! Learn more about Josiah’s wildlife photography on his bio page, where you’ll also find a great video feature on his photographic art by CBC Arts.

Most evenings find us out enjoying the beauty of southern Alberta while looking for local wildlife to photograph. We are always looking forward to our next photo adventure together, and invite you to follow along on Twitter @LaunsteinFamily and Facebook at Launstein Imagery and Instagram @LaunsteinImagery. Be sure to drop by our blog from time to time as well, and above all, we’d be delighted to share news items and special offers with you via our newsletter, which you can subscribe to using the simple form to the right (or scroll down if you are viewing this on a mobile device). If you live in or are visiting southern Alberta, be sure to drop by our Wildlife Art Gallery in the Crowsnest Pass to meet one or more of the Launsteins and chat about our adventures and artwork in person.

Images created by the Launstein family are available for rights-managed publication, and a number have been carefully selected and released as Fine Art Limited Edition Prints in addition to a more robust line of Open Edition Prints. We are also releasing a series of father-daughter, father-son, and family collections, pairing select images from John, Jenaya and Josiah in beautiful matched limited-edition print sets. Please contact us directly for inquiries regarding prints or publishing.