Edwin Wilke is an award-winning 20 year old nature and wildlife photographer born in Boca Raton, Florida and based in Fort Myers. He travels the great state of Florida in hopes of capturing the beautiful and unique flora and fauna that can be found in its many natural areas.
He was originally inspired by his late grandfather, who was a passionate film photographer. His photographic journey started in middle school after attending a photography summer camp. During the program, he took multiple field trips to local natural areas for photography assignments. This is where he found his passion for capturing the beautiful world around him. Soon after the camp, he purchased his first DSLR, a Canon Rebel T3i with a telephoto lens. He used this camera thoroughly and to its fullest before outgrowing it and upgrading to professional gear to continue improving the quality of his work.
From the moment he picked up a camera for the first time, his passion for capturing the natural world and the species that inhabit it has grown exponentially. He continues to visit the many natural areas, parks, and preserves in Florida and beyond to capture inspiring images. He hopes that his images influence others to love and care for nature.
In addition to photography, he has spent hundreds of volunteer hours helping non-profit organizations. From environmental stewardship to animal husbandry, he contributes his time and passion to helping others.
Edwin is now getting his higher education at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida. Majoring in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Environmental Education, he hopes to use his degree to create a more sustainable world.
In his first year of college, he was also a member of the Audubon Florida Conservation Leadership Initiative Cohort (CLI), participating in conservation-oriented programs in his local Audubon chapters. Now a junior, he is the president of the campus Ornithology Club.
Here are some of his photography awards:
-1st Place in Youth: 2020 National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest (Featured in the November-December NWF Magazine)
-1st Place: 2020 Florida Birding and Photo Fest, Young Birders Photo Contest
-Senior Portfolio Gold Key: 2019 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
- Grand Prize: 2018 Loxahatchee River Photography Contest
- 1st Place: 2018 Loxahatchee River Photography Contest, Human Interaction
- 1st Place: 2017 Friends of Green Cay Nature Center Photography Contest, Youth
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention: 36th Annual Friends of ARM Loxahatchee Photography Contest, Youth Avian
- 1st Place: 36th Annual Friends of ARM Loxahatchee Photography Contest, Youth Fauna
- Two Gold Keys and a Silver Key: 2018 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
- Two Honorable Mentions: 2017 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
- Award of Merit and Honorable Mention ribbons: Audubon Everglades Photography Club
If you wish to contact me or see where I post my work:
E-Mail: wilkeedwin@gmail.com
Phone: (561)-629-2035
Instagram: @edwinwilke
Facebook: wilke.edwin
If you are interested in purchasing custom prints, you can contact me via e-mail or phone number to order custom, professional-grade prints.
