Name: Dwon Güvenir
Age: 37
Education: University of Kansas &
••••••••••••New York Institute of Photography
Majors: Anthropology, Philosophy, Sociology
•••••••••••••••••••••••• & Photography
Favorite Past Job: Archaeologist
Licenses: OR Outfitter/Guide, OR EMT-B
Favorite Vacation: Türkiye
Favorite Book: ARB Off-Road Auto Catalog
Favorite Movie: Flash Gordon (1980)
Favorite Quote: "Photography is more than the technology of the mechanics.
Photography is more than the techniques of the art.
The Tao of Photography is the harmony that exists when you understand the whole of Photography and can create your art intuitively."
•••••••••••• --Dwon Güvenir's Tao of Photography

As your Expedition Leader, Dwon uses his passion and expertise teaching photography in the great outdoors to make your learning experience a memorable and safe one.

Certifications/licenses include Professional Photographer, Oregon Outfitter/Guide, Oregon Emergency Medical Technician - Basic, Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Continuing Education Systems provider, and BA degrees in Anthropology, Philosophy, and Sociology from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU). Additional training includes Wilderness FIrst Aid WILD (When Isolated by Location or Disaster) and Wilderness Medicine: Search, Reach, Treat workshops.

While at the University of Kansas, Dwon specialized in Mayan Archaeology specifically deciphering Mayan Hieroglyphs. Dwon spent a couple years as a Mayan Archaeologist and Epigrapher traveling throughout Central America including Belize, Guatemala, and Southern Mexico. Upon returning to the US, Dwon became a police officer. After about a year he realized that wasn't for him. He then traveled to Oregon to get his masters degree in education and become a montessori instructor. Instead he attended the New York Institute of Photography via correspondence and opened his photography studio in 2001. That lead to professional photography consulting, which lead to community education classes, which lead to weekend workshops, which lead to safaris which brings us to where we are today.

Dwon will shoot any brand camera. He owns Nikon, Canon, Fuji, and Kodak bodies. During his workshops he makes sure every student learns how to use each camera system present at the workshop. That way you can pick up any camera and create beautiful images regardless of brand, because all cameras are essentially the same! Mastering your photography is more than understanding your camera model. Understanding how photography works to create your art puts you on the path to what Dwon calls the "Tao of Photography" where the numbers no longer matter and you just know how to create the image you want. His intuitive teaching method ensures that everyone masters their photography.
Dwon is also the one responsible for building this web site.
He is not sponsored by any corporation. His preferences are based upon his experience as a professional photographer.
Dwon is a member of the following organizations:
PPA Professional Photographers of America
PMPA Portland Metro Photographers’ Association
NPS Nikon Professional Services

Link to Full Bio

The Portrait Studio

Name: Bria
Age: 34
Education: Boise State University
Majors: Business
Past Jobs: Athletic Coordinator, CPR Lifeline Coordinator
Favorite Vacation: Türkiye
Favorite Book: Title Nine Catalog
Favorite Movie: Serenity
Favorite Quote: “Were there monkeys? Some terrifying
••••••••••••••••••••••••space monkeys maybe got loose?”
•••••••••••••••••••••••• --Captain Malcolm Reynolds (Firefly)

She’s the one you talk to when reserving your space in a class or workshop. More importantly she coordinates the workshops and keeps everything flowing smoothly. So when you’ve had a great day traveling and photographing all the beauty and splendor of the great outdoors and you kick back in your luxury hotel room after a wonderful dinner, you have her to thank.

Name: Ashton
Age: 3
Education: School of Hard Knocks
Majors: Causin' Trouble, Makin' Trouble,
•••••••••••••Gettin' out of Trouble.
Past Jobs: Bein' Cute
Favorite Vacation: Every day is a vacation.
Favorite Book: ARB Off-Road Auto Catalog
Favorite Movie: Cars
Favorite Quote: “Gimme some sugar baby.”
••••••••••••••--Ash (Army of Darkness)

He just likes to come along for the fun, and we don’t mind.

Name: Eric
Age: 38
Education: California State U. Dominguez Hills
Majors: Physical Education - Fitness Director
••••••••••••• (Magna Cum Laude)
Past Jobs: Computer Consultant, Holistic Center
••••••••••••••Cofounder, Martial Arts Instructor
Favorite Vacation: Kauai
Favorite Book: "and the train goes..."
••••••• (my daughter loves it when I read to her)
Favorite Movie: Star Wars (who doesn't want to be a Jedi?)
Favorite Quote: “...you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup... you put water into a tea pot, it becomes the tea pot... water can flow, or it can crash... be water my friend” •
--Bruce Lee

He’s the guy that makes those awesome videos of the safaris.

Name: Brant
Age: 30
Education: University of Oregon
Majors: Fine Art & Business
Past Jobs: You name it...
Favorite Vacation: Alaska
Favorite Book: Torque Magazine (Triumph)
Favorite Movie: Super Troopers
Favorite Quote: “You want to get out of here?
•••• You talk to me." -- Mad Max (Road Warrior)

Brant is there to make sure we’re up and running, to get to and from our destinations safely. Whether we’re traveling off-road or on, he’s there to make sure all goes well.

Name: LC
Age: 9
Education: University of Toyota Japan
Majors: Luxury Off-Roading
Past Jobs: Chauffeur
Favorite Vacation: Any time I get to drive!
Favorite Movie: Transformers
Favorite Book: Christine
Favorite Quote: “She'll possess you. Then destroy you. She's death on wheels. She's... Christine.”
--Christine tag line
I'd let her posses me! •••••••••VARRROOOM!!!!

LC was meant to do this! He's the best way to transport large numbers of photographers and their gear from site to site, leaving the smallest footprint on the environment possible. He eats up rough terrain like it’s nothing and he does it all in style: leather seats, DVD headrests, & factory navigation system.

That’s just the luxury side of LC. He came from the factory with amazing off-road capabilities as well: all time 4wd, center locking differential at the push of a button, second gear start at the push of a button, high speed 4wd with center differential locked or unlocked, low speed 4wd, and a gear ratio suited for off-road travel. LC even has a button to boost acceleration power when needed (kinda’ like Knight Rider).

Outside, Dwon’s personally equipped LC with everything needed to go anywhere: ARB Bull Bar, ARB Roof Rack, ARB Old Man Emu (OME) Firm Valve Shocks, OME Heavy Load Springs, OME Heavy Load T-Bars, ARB IPF Auxiliary Lights, 35” Toyo Open Country MT tires and 12,000 lb. Warn winch.

Finally LC’s stripe. Like a pro athlete wears a jersey with his teams logo, LC proudly wears his teams colors.