Ian Wilson-Navarro is a photographer for change. He blurs the lines between adventure and conservation in how he works and lives. His passion for the water, fly fishing, and surfing came at a young age, and has shaped his photography career over the years.
Ian relishes working with these people and telling their stories. Ian is always in search of authentic stories and people who have stories to be told.
Where is home for you? / Where do you typically photograph?
Home for me is the Florida Keys. Specifically the Upper Keys from Key Largo (which is the first Key in the Archiplago) down to Islamorada.
Why did you begin photography? What inspired you to begin?
I was honestly a pretty bad student and knew from the get-go that I had to find an alternative career to pursue, as a path through academia was not for me. When I turned 18, I left for six months to travel through Central America in search of that something. I only had my phone and a GoPro (that eventually got stolen) and took photos along the way and started noticing how much I enjoyed preserving memories of the people I was traveling with and the joy they had when I’d share the photos with them. When I got back to the states I picked up my first DSLR and the rest is history. It took roughly 4 years after acquiring the first camera to actually start working full time as a photographer but the journey was entirely worth it.
Is there a specific niche of photography that you are known for or that you gravitate to?
I definitely gravitate towards surf and fly fishing photography primarily. Those are the sports I grew up doing which ultimately led me to picking up a camera in the first place. I was always obsessed with looking through surf & fishing magazines and imagining myself in all the far flung locales that were depicted in them. I also shoot a lot of conservation work focused on the locations I’m passionate about protecting.
What is one thing you wish you knew before beginning outdoor/fish photography?
I love that you can’t predict the weather or if you’ll have a good day of fishing. Just gotta make the most of it regardless of what you get.
Is your photography a full-time job, or do you have a daily gig too?
Photography is what I do full-time. Albeit, it’s not always based on the outdoors and fishing focused. I also shoot a lot of luxury real estate and resort work here in the keys to fill in the gaps.
How do you manage a work-life balance as a photographer?
Great question! Please let me know if you find out. No but seriously, I’m still figuring this one out. It’s a constant challenge when my life revolves around the weather so much, but for the most part, I just try not to be too hard on myself and go with the flow of daily activities to the best of my ability. When the weather is nice and when people are available I go out and shoot, when it’s slow or if the weather is bad I sit inside and crank out as much work as I can. That’s the benefit of being a freelance photographer, the flexibility allows me to make the most of whatever situation I find in front of me.
What brand of camera equipment do you shoot with?
I shoot Sony’s
Which lens is your favorite for photographing in various conditions?
Pretty much always use the 24-70 f/2.8, its versatility is unmatched.
Do you take macro-photography of flies? If so, what is your process/lens of choice?
I do not although it’s something I’d be open to trying down the line.
If someone is interested in getting involved in outdoor / fishing photography today, what would be some suggestions you would give them regarding introductory gear (camera body, lens, brand, editing software, etc.)?
Shoot as much as you can with whatever you can get your hands on. Try to find something waterproof to work with and shoot in all different types of weather conditions. Get one wide angle lens and one telephoto, camera brand doesn’t matter.
What editing software do you use the most for photo edits? Why?
Lightroom always, simple and easy workflows.
How did you learn this specific genre of photography?
Trial and error and hours upon hours of studying the photographers that paved the way before me.
Out of all your photos, which is your favorite and why?
This one changes all the time but at the moment it’s got to be this shot of a string of Tarpon moving right off the beach where I’m lucky to be based.
What was your first fishing experience?
My parents used to rent this house that was on the bayside in Key Largo. It had a little dock that stuck out Towards the Everglades and I used to fish there as a kid and caught snapper, sea trout, and even tarpon.
When did you begin fly fishing?
I started fly fishing right out of high school. I had a really good friend who used to skate down to our local boat ramp with a rod in hand and would practice casting off the breakwater. I always wondered what he was up to and one day I finally decided to join him and was hooked.
What draws you to fly fishing, both personally and professionally?
I’m a big fan of the peace and simplicity that can be found when drifting across a remote flat. All of your focus is required if you wanna catch a fish which removes all of the normal distraction that is so commonly found in today’s world. I also just love being immersed in the shallow water ecosystems and seeing the natural world at work.
Who is your biggest inspiration or mentor?
Easily my dad, his passion for fishing as well as telling a good fishing story has stuck with me since our first days of fishing together when I was a kid.
Do you remember your first published piece (if applicable)?
I’m pretty sure my first published fly fishing work was in The FlyFish Journal and it was on a story about unsuccessful fly fishing missions for redfish along coastal Georgia with my best friend at the time.
With so many people scrolling on their phones, does social media play a role in your photography?
Social media has played a huge part in my photography over the years, I’m not the most consistent poster but it’s still provided me with incredible opportunities to not only share my work but also meet like-minded people who share the same passions as I do which I think has been more important to me.
Any tips for other aspiring outdoor / fishing photographers?
Have patience. Things don’t happen overnight and success can be the culmination of hundreds of different things happening over a period of time. Be kind, enthusiastic about what you do, and never suppress your personality, let passion shine and people will notice. Network a lot, connect with like-minded individuals, and don’t be afraid to shoot things for free.
What is your favorite weather to photograph in, or what is your favorite time of day?
I honestly love shooting in torrential downpour or overall stormy conditions. I find clouds and rain can make for extremely dynamic scenes that bring a lot to an image. And if they happen to coincide with a sunset or sunrise even better.
What photography trends currently inspire your work?
I’m not sure about photography trends but I really do appreciate seeing people traveling to more remote destinations in search of authentic stories and people who have stories to be told. I also really love it when people can bring a different vision to the same location that has been shot 1 million different times.
Where can people find your artwork?
The best place to find my work is on my Instagram @ianwilsonn or on my website www.ianwilsonphoto.com
