Ruth Hoyt
Ruth Hoyt is a full-time professional nature photographer, writer, public speaker, workshop leader, coach, and consultant with more than 30 years' experience teaching nature photography. She enthusiastically works with photographers from all skill levels and walks of life, including youths from 8-18 years, US Veterans, artists’ groups, people with disabilities, and other specialized groups.
Ruth writes a regular feature column, previously called “Set Up for Success,” for the international, online periodical, Journal of Wildlife Photography. She has recently taken on responsibility for organizing and conducting the Journal’s quickly growing, monthly photo contest for paid subscribers. Ruth is a charter member of the North American Nature Photography Association, current secretary of the Outdoor Writers’ Association of America, Certified Interpretive Guide, and Certified Texas Master Naturalist.
She is best known for her Texas bird and wildlife photography and professional guiding services on private south Texas ranches but also regularly leads photo tours to Costa Rica and other international locations. Ruth pursues landscape, flora, macro, night, and more genres of photography in various locations across the United States.
While living in Missouri, Ruth founded MoNEP (Missouri Nature & Environmental Photographers) in 1996. After relocating to the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, she was inspired to found MoNEP’s younger sister, TexNEP (Texas Nature & Environmental Photographers) in 2001. Both exist today as organizations that bring together people who are enthusiastic about nature, photography, and conservation.
Ruth was a longtime user of Nikon film cameras, followed by Canon film, digital, and mirrorless cameras but recently added the use of OM System mirrorless cameras to her camera equipment. She uses her iPhone and DJI drones for video and still work but keeps an open mind for new technology as it enters the photographic scene.
Her printed work includes large, canvas, gallery-wrapped prints and mounted paper prints using archival, museum-quality paper. Her work can be seen in permanent public locations in various states and local hospitals, private offices, and visitors' centers.
Hobbies include working on community projects, growing native plants, drawing, painting, and dabbling in other creative pursuits that capture her interest.
To see Ruth’s recent work, visit her Instagram account at @ruthhoytphoto. Contact her via phone at (956) 330-2900 or email at ruthhoyt@gmail.com.
“Photographing Birds in Flight” with Ruth Hoyt
Join Ruth Hoyt for this indoor session, where she presents her program and demonstrates the various ways she photographs birds in flight to achieve results from vivid, tack-sharp to semi-abstract, painterly images.
She discusses four basic aspects she considers critical for knowing what to expect from your camera and photographic outings: camera equipment, camera settings for achieving different results, photographing in the field, and photographing from a photo blind.
This is an indoor program, so no special equipment is needed. Ruth provides a handout, so you don’t even need to bring a notebook for taking notes.
“Basic Lightroom Photo Processing” with Ruth Hoyt
Join Ruth Hoyt for this indoor session, where she presents her program and demonstrates how she processes raw photographs from digital and mirrorless cameras.
Advanced technology has provided photographers with tools that make digital photographs easier to manage, process, and share. With 30+ years’ experience and a long history of using film cameras, Ruth makes every effort to perfect her settings before making an exposure. Sometimes, though, “life happens” and adjustments need to be made after capturing an image.
This is an indoor program, so no special equipment is needed. Ruth provides a handout, so you don’t even need to bring a notebook for taking notes.