Mike MacDonald—The Artist

Rather than traveling and recording the world's most exotic places, Mike MacDonald celebrates the rich biodiversity and stunning natural beauty that exists in the immediate Chicago area.

His passion and commitment to this cause has turned Mike into one of Chicago's most noted photographers, as evidenced by his many covers and full-page photos published in the award-winning Chicago Wilderness Magazine. In addition to his local achievements, Mike's work has also been featured internationally in such magazines as BBC's Gardens Illustrated, Petersen's Photographic and, on several occasions, in Outdoor Photographer.

With degrees in mathematics and physics combined with careers as a scientific programmer, professional comedian, entrepreneur, and nature photographer, Mike's background may seem quite complex. On the other hand, simplicity and emotion are characteristics of a Mike MacDonald photograph, which are often compared to paintings.

Like a painting, that illustrates a perfect moment from the imagination of the artist, Mike's photographs communicate the emotion and experience of a perfect real moment in time. It has been said that a Mike MacDonald photograph allows the viewer to enter the scene and to experience the experience.

Mike's photographic playground includes many wild locations across the Chicago region such as Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Spears Woods in Willow Springs, Orland Park's McGinnis Slough, Lockport Prairie, and Wolf Road Prairie in the town of Westchester.

Born in Chicago, Mike lives with his wife Cordula near Belmont Prairie in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove.

Read Mike's Artist Statement.