Meet Jackie Schletter

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jackie Schletter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jackie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I’ve always loved the natural world and focused on science driven subjects in school, but I spent nearly twenty years in veterinary medicine before I had the opportunity to have photography be anything more than a hobby.

The more time I spent in the field, the more I realized that photographing wildlife wasn’t just about making beautiful images. It was a way to invite people into the stories I was seeing. Stories of survival, behavior, connection, and sometimes fragility. Birds pulled me in the strongest. They’re expressive, dynamic, and deeply tied to the health of the ecosystems around them. Photographing them made me feel like I was standing in the right place doing the right thing.

Purpose didn’t arrive as a headline moment; it revealed itself every time someone looked at one of my images and said, “I didn’t know they did that,” or “This makes me want to go outside more.” That’s when it clicked. My work could be both art and advocacy. I could use what I love, storytelling, natural history, and visual beauty to get people to care about the wild places right in front of them.

Now, whether I’m creating a fine-art piece, leading a workshop, or helping another photographer grow, the thread is the same: I want people to feel a little more connected to the world around them. That’s my purpose. And it’s one I keep finding again every time I step into the field with a camera, listening for wings and calls.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a nature photographer based in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and most of my work centers around birds; their color, their character, and the small, wild dramas playing out around us every day. I love photographing all parts of the natural world, but birds are where I feel most connected. They’re expressive, symbolic, and impossible to truly photograph without slowing down enough to really see them. That’s where the magic happens.

My brand lives at the intersection of fine art and natural history. Every image starts in the field with real wildlife acting naturally, but I often build subtle art-forward backdrops in post to create pieces that feel at home in modern living spaces. It’s a way of elevating the subject without losing the authenticity of the moment. People often describe my work as “painterly,” “quiet,” or “peaceful” which tells me I’ve struck the balance I’m hoping for—beauty first, conservation woven in.

Beyond creating art, a huge part of my professional focus is teaching. I run photography workshops across the U.S. and internationally, helping photographers connect more deeply with wildlife and the environments they’re working in. These trips are small, immersive, and full of the kind of field experiences you just can’t get from a book or a YouTube tutorial. It’s incredibly meaningful to watch students grow and connect, not just technically, but in how they see.

I’m also passionate about making the natural world feel accessible. That’s why I share behind-the-scenes stories, behavior notes, field tips, and educational content across my platforms. I want people to feel like they can step right into these ecosystems and care about them the way I do.

There’s a lot happening right now that I’m excited about. I’ve recently expanded my workshop offerings, including new trips to Alaska, Brazil, and Costa Rica, as well as collaborations with conservation-focused locations like Monarch Ranch. I’m continuing to grow my fine-art collections, and I’ve been honored to receive national and international recognition for my creative work. And behind the scenes, I’m developing more mentorship opportunities for emerging photographers—something I wish I had earlier in my own journey.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my work, it’s this: nature is disappearing quickly, but it’s not gone. There is still so much beauty to witness, protect, and celebrate. My job and my purpose is to help people see it before it’s out of reach, and hopefully inspire them to care enough to help preserve it.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

When I look back at how I got here, and what will continue to move me foward, three things stand out more than anything else: curiosity, patience, and a willingness to learn new skills long after it felt “too late” to start over.

Curiosity is the fuel for everything I do. It’s what gets me out the door before sunrise, what keeps me watching a bird on a branch long after someone else might lose interest, and what pushes me to experiment creatively instead of repeating the same shot over and over. Curiosity is active, it asks questions, it looks closer, it pays attention. For anyone starting out, the best way to develop curiosity is to slow down. Really look at the world around you. Follow the questions that pop into your head instead of brushing them aside. Curiosity grows with use. If you wonder, do some quick research. Become a walking library of fun-facts, something I love to include in my social posts.

Wildlife photography taught me the kind of patience that can’t be rushed. You can’t force great light. You can’t convince a heron to land where you want. You can’t schedule magic. You show up, you stay present, and you let nature move at its own pace.

For beginners, practicing patience means letting go of the pressure to be instantly good at something. Give yourself time. Time to practice, time to explore, time to make images that don’t work, and time to notice patterns in the natural world. Patience builds resilience, and resilience keeps you going. Be consistent with your patience and time, even if it’s 15 minutes after work every day, or an hour on weekends when you have time. Just keep doing.

I spent nearly twenty years in veterinary medicine before shifting into photography professionally. Reinventing yourself is terrifying, and diving back into, and learning, a whole new set of creative and technical skills as an adult can feel like standing at the base of a mountain with no trail map. But growth lives in that discomfort.

My advice: say yes to learning, even when it feels uncomfortable. Take classes, watch tutorials, ask questions, seek mentors, and don’t cling to the idea that you have to fit into one version of yourself forever. You’re allowed to evolve.
Together, these three things—curiosity, patience, and a commitment to continual learning—shaped my journey more than talent ever could. And they’re qualities anyone can cultivate, one small step at a time.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m always open to collaborating with people and organizations who share a genuine appreciation for the natural world—especially those who want to celebrate it, protect it, or help others connect with it in meaningful ways.

On the creative side, I love working with fellow artists, conservation groups, tourism boards, and brands that value storytelling rooted in authenticity. I’m also excited by collaborations that bring education and community engagement into the mix—whether that means co-hosting workshops, partnering with eco-focused destinations, or creating visual projects that highlight wildlife and conservation.

On the business side, I’m interested in connecting with venues, galleries, and like-minded companies who want to feature fine-art nature photography or integrate it into their spaces in thoughtful ways.

If someone reading this feels aligned with that mission, the easiest way to reach me is through my website, jackieschletter.com, or by connecting with me on Instagram (@lowcountry_nature), where I’m most active. I’m always happy to explore ideas and see where the shared enthusiasm leads.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.jackieschletter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lowcountry-nature
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jackieschletter