An international background, a love of nature and formal training as an artist have shaped Geffrard Bourke's photographic career.

Born and raised in Jamaica, Geff first became interested in photography at the age of 14 upon moving to England and enrolling
in school there. That interest quickly grew into a passion after joining the school photography club, and a lifelong love of the
field began.

While living in England, Switzerland and the United States since then, Geff's interest in photography continued. Concentrating
on black-and-white photography, he taught himself darkroom techniques for developing and printing, as well as the ins and
outs of picture-taking. He learned by trial and error, as well as avidly studying many photography books and magazines. At
the New England School of Art and Design in Boston, he combined his studies of graphic arts with classes in photography
and printing.

Since that time it's been nonstop picture-taking. Over the years, however, the focus has evolved. At first, Geff's work consisted
primarily of black-and-white studies of people in everyday situations in Europe and in the Washington, DC area. While on a
weekend trip to the Shenandoah Mountains a few years back, he caught the landscape/wildlife bug. Since then, Geff has tried
to get away on weekends to as many waterfalls and wildlife refuges as possible.

Today, Geff is a member of the Loudoun Photography Club in his hometown of Ashburn, VA, where he has enjoyed participating with fellow photographers in photo competitions and club outings. Professionally, he is currently Art Director
at a Washington, DC area marketing firm, a busy position in which he uses his photo skills as often as possible.

It has been six years since Geff went completely digital using Nikon equipment. "I have become inspired by what is possible with digital as opposed to film. The ability to instantly see the image you capture is a wonderful asset in that I can check exposure, focus and most importantly, composition. It's opened up a whole new aspect to picture-taking that I am excited about."