Born and raised in Miami, Florida, photographer, Rick Gomez considers himself a nature and wildlife enthusiast before considering himself a photographer. "The difference is, I am not one who is fascinated by the gadgets and technology... I'm more the type to want to get out and experience nature in it's purest form, using my camera as my tool to document and express the beauty in the things I see". While he absolutely loves photography, you may notice that he strays away from the typical "gigs" that would make up a photographer's living. Weddings and events, family portraits, flashy cars and architecture are simply not the types of things that inspire him.

His passion for nature stemmed from his early childhood, spending weekends and summers with his grandparents at their home in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. "I remember all the times I used to sit at the dock, counting how many different types of fish swim by or watching the osprey and pelicans diving down from the sky as they attempted their hunts". This was only just the beginning...

As a teenager, Rick reluctantly moved with his mother and stepfather to the state of Colorado. Once he got over his homesickness for Miami, Colorado seemed to fuel the flame for his passion for nature even more. It was then that he really took the time to get out and observe the wilderness around him, learning and taking in all that he could about the local wildlife. This created a strong desire to spend his life working with animals. Unfortunately for Rick, his family moved back to South Florida three years later. He had no choice but to come along. He did however stick to his desire to work with animals, landing different jobs from air boat tours through the Everglades, to alligator and crocodile (wrestling) presentations, then on to educational lectures on many animals native to North and South America as well as some African wildlife. The list of animals he has worked closely with is almost endless, but his favorites include wolves, American river otters, a spotted leopard, cougars, nearly all crocodilians, many species of monkeys and apes including orangutan and a gorilla and of course since childhood he has had a passion for snakes (both venomous and non).

I reserve the rights of my photographs. If intesrested in prints or usage of digital files, please send an e-mail to livingwild@att.net (please don't forget to include a relevant subject) .

I do not take the stealing of my images for your profits lightly. I strongly suggest you don't try. I don't like courtrooms or being behind bars, but I will do whatever it takes.

Otherwise, thank you for your interest in my photos and my profile. I look forward to seeing your work as well!

Ricky G