W.A.N.T. Photography is the partnership of husband and wife team Don Brown and Ninette Hart, based in Hilo, Hawaii since 1999. Don shoots the photos, prints the fine-art images, and handles the sales and marketing tasks, while Ninette helps out with data entry, slide labeling, and of course, models in many of the images.
Self-taught in photography, Don picked up his first 35 mm camera in 1990. With a BS degree in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Michigan Technological University and a lifelong interest in nature, he was inspired to capture his own version of the natural world on film.
“ I got an old Minolta X-700 and started shooting when I hiked. Luckily, I started out shooting slide film. My mistakes were easier to spot using slides. I tried to re-shoot whenever possible to correct those mistakes. Trial and error was my best teacher.”
In 1992 he met Ninette, and caught the “travel bug” from her. Their first major adventure was to Guatemala in 1995. Since then, they have traveled to 45 states and 22 countries, highlighted by 6 months in Australia and 6 months in Micronesia.

On their honeymoon in 1996, Don took his first breaths on scuba, and was immediately hooked. Encouraged by Ninette, (already a diver) he began exploring and studying the underwater universe and found a truly encompassing passion. “Underwater photography is hands down the most challenging thing I have ever done. The shooting conditions are the most difficult, your shooting time is severely limited, and you are in a completely foreign environment. I love it!” Since 1996, Don has logged over 1500 dives and is very rarely without at least one camera. His underwater work now comprises about 60% of his shooting time.

Versatility is Don's strong point. Unlike many photographers who specialize in a tiny niche, Don applies his expertise & creativity to any project or subject with professional results. In 2008 he was accepted in the Adobe Professional Photographers Directory.

The greatest rewards for Don & Ninette are the friends they have made while traveling, and the satisfaction of doing meaningful work. “My personal goal is education through photography. I try to visually communicate concepts of ecology, culture,and beauty for a better understanding of our world. Hopefully the viewer will be inspired to take action, travel, and investigate further.”

Photographic usage credits include numerous books,calendars, web sites, and magazines, including Audubon, Blue Planet Quarterly, Hana Hou, National Geographic Adventure, Nature's Best Photography, Sport Diver, Skin Diver, and The New York Times. Additional images are under license to Animals-Animals/Earth Scenes, a leading stock photo agency specializing in Nature and the Environment.

The fine art prints have been selected for several juried art exhibitions, invitational shows, and solo exhibits in their home state of Hawaii. Don is the 2004 winner of the Hawaii Photo Expo in the Masters Division, and the 2004 People's Choice Award. Prints are available for private collection direct from the photographer via this website (see FINE ART GALLERY).

He is also a double winner in the prestigious 2006 NATURE'S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS, with a HIGHLY HONORED award in the OCEANS category, and FIRST PRIZE in the CREATIVE DIGITAL category. The winning image was exhibited at the SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY in Washington, DC.
copyright © 2001-2008 Donald Brown/ W.A.N.T. Photography All rights reserved. No use, reuse, copying, reproduction allowed without express permission from copyright holders