Capturing the Wild Heart of Ramona: A Look at Photographer Roy Toft
From Ramona’s rolling hills to the world’s wildest landscapes, photographer Roy Toft captures intimate, untamed moments of wildlife and invites others to see nature as it truly is.
Renowned local wildlife photographer, Roy Toft, will lend one of his stunning photographs from his latest beautiful coffee-table book, “Wild Ramona”, to the next mural for the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project. Ramona is known for its rolling hills, abundant wildlife, natural beauty, and distinct murals. But few have documented the magic as profoundly as local photographer Roy Toft. A professional wildlife photographer, he has spent decades bringing the natural world into crisp focus, from exotic corners of the globe to the untamed spaces right in his own backyard.
Toft began his photography journey the year he graduated college in 1985. He holds his degree in Wildlife Biology and has spent more than 20 years building a career as a wildlife photographer. He shoots with Canon digital cameras and currently uses the Canon R5. His work has appeared in major publications like National Geographic and Audubon.
“I like to share my wildlife imagery,” says Toft. He regularly shares his work on Facebook and Instagram, giving both locals and photography fans around the world a front-row seat to the beauty he captures in Ramona and beyond.
In addition to his local photography, Toft leads wildlife photo safaris around the world. He travels to destinations including Africa, Brazil, and Costa Rica, guiding small groups of six to twelve participants on photography tours and workshops. These safaris offer photographers of all skill levels the opportunity to experience majestic animals up close.
Wildlife-rich locations include Brazil, Chile, Peru, India and several regions of Africa where participants photograph big cats such as jaguars, tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, pumas and cheetahs. Other trips include Alaska for brown bears and eagles; Manitoba, Canada for polar bears and Arctic foxes; Costa Rica for scarlet macaws and other rainforest wildlife; and African countries such as Botswana, Namibia, and Madagascar.
One of Toft’s most unique trips takes place in Chile, where participants are able to walk near mountain lions and observe them hunting in the wild. These lions are habituated to the presence of people, making it the only place in the world where this experience is possible.
Like many lifelong passions, Toft’s journey into photography began in college while he was studying wildlife. He had always loved wildlife and taking pictures, making it an easy transition to nature photography. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, he worked at the Wild Animal Park conducting bird shows before eventually leaving to pursue photography full-time. Some of his work was published in Zoo News.
After graduating college, Toft traveled to Alaska with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study wolves. In his early 20’s he brought his camera into the field and his passion for photography took hold.
Toft’s preferred photographic style is intimate and raw. He avoids staging scenes or manipulating images, presenting the wildlife as it truly appears. He wants viewers to see the real shot with branches or shadows as part of the story because nature isn’t perfect.
Now settled on the west end of Ramona, Toft continues to immerse himself in the local landscape. In addition to his photography work, he is the author of Wild Ramona, a striking coffee-table book that showcases the diverse wildlife quietly living among Ramona’s hills, valleys, and open spaces. Using remote camera traps, guided safaris, workshops, and his latest book, Toft invites viewers to notice the remarkable creatures and moments often overlooked in their own backyards.
Wild Ramona is available for purchase at the following places: 2Create Gallery, Ramona Family Naturals, Ramona Ranch Winery, Hatfield Creek Winery, and online at https://www.toftphotosafaris.com.
Photos courtesy of Roy Toft.
