Jen Guyton

Jen Guyton is an American photographer and ecologist known for her work in wildlife conservation and photographic work as a National Geographic Explorer.

Early life and education
Guyton's education took a significant turn during her second year of college at the University of Southern California, following a visit to the University of California, Berkeley and a wildlife ecology lecture by Professor Justin Brashares. She was inspired to transfer to the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Conservation and Resource Studies (CRS). There, she engaged in research, and volunteering, and took interdisciplinary classes in poetry, photography, and nonfiction writing, focusing on communicating conservation in the developing world.

Career
After graduating, Guyton worked as a research technician with the Kalahari Meerkat Project in South Africa, where her interest in photography continued to grow. Her academic pursuits led her to doctoral studies at Princeton University, focusing on ecological restoration in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park after the Mozambican Civil War. She received a National Geographic Young Explorers Grant in 2014, allowing her to delve deeper into photography with a focus on conservation.

Guyton's work has been featured in major publications such as BBC Wildlife and National Geographic. She has received accolades for her contributions to wildlife photography and conservation, including the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Nature’s Best awards. Her recognition also extends to her efforts in education and advocacy for women's rights and involvement in conservation, earning her the Mark Bingham Award for Excellence in Achievement by Young Alumni at the University of California and the American Society of Mammalogists Murie Family Conservation Award.

In addition to her photography, Guyton has contributed to conservation science as a Fulbright fellow and a two-time National Geographic Society grant recipient. She is a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Guyton's work often employs innovative techniques, such as using silent cameras and remote triggers to capture intimate images of animals in their natural habitats, showcasing her skill and dedication to both art and science.

Awards and recognition

 * Wildlife Photographer of the Year (2018)
 * Nature’s Best (2017)
 * Mark Bingham Award for Excellence in Achievement by Young Alumni (2020)
 * American Society of Mammalogists Murie Family Conservation Award (2020)
 * Named one of the “20 under 30: The Next Generation of National Park Leaders” by National Geographic (2016)