Imagine. Dream. Create.

Neil Jernigan a North Carolina Wildlife Photographer
Neil Jernigan a North Carolina Wildlife Photographer

ABOUT NEIL

My connection to the natural world began at a young age. Growing up hunting and fishing, I was taught early on to respect the land and the wildlife that call it home. Many of my earliest memories are of traveling across North Carolina with my parents and grandparents, exploring new landscapes and searching for wildlife—always with a camera close by to document the journey.

At fifteen, after saving up, I purchased my first camera and began photographing everything that caught my eye—from birds and mammals to clouds and star-filled skies. In 2009, during my senior year of high school, I launched a portrait and wedding photography business. Over the years, I photographed more than 50 weddings and hundreds of portrait sessions, gaining invaluable experience behind the camera.

But my heart continually led me back to what I love most: wildlife photography.

In a fast-paced world, wildlife photography slows me down. It draws me closer to God, deeper into His creation, and more connected to the things that truly matter. The art & craft of photography is my life’s passion and through my images, I hope to educate and inspire others—especially future generations—to explore, respect, and develop a lasting appreciation for the beauty of our natural world.

Recent Publications

Sunset over a swamp with a large cypress tree in the foreground and mist rising over the water cover of OurState Magazine
Cover of North Carolina Wildlife magazine featuring a black bear in a lake with swans and ducks in the background, and grass in the foreground.
A black bear sitting in a grassy clearing surrounded by trees in North Carolina, with sunlight filtering through the foliage.
Page spread with text and three photographs of black bears. The left side shows a bear cub climbing a tree. The right side features a large male black bear in a grassy area and a black bear in a field of dry corn stalks.
A black bear paddling in a river, with only its head and part of its back visible above the water.
Neil Jernigan hiking in a sunlit forest during sunrise or sunset, with tall trees and green underbrush.
A two-page magazine spread about bears at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, featuring a large title "Bear Necessities," a photo of a black bear in a grassy field, and a map background with text about the refuge and its wildlife.
A close-up of a Venus flytrap with its leaf and trap open, showing teeth-like edges, on the left. On the right, two carnivorous sun dew plants with yellow and red coloration, covered with small water droplets, growing in a grassy area.
A forest scene at dusk with tall, slender pine trees silhouetted against a sky with purple and pink hues, with a light mist at ground level.
Sunset over a swampy landscape with cypress trees reflected in the water, with mist rising.
Close-up of a large cypress tree rooted in a swampy area, surrounded by other trees with green and yellow leaves, in a forest setting.
Close-up of a twisted, weathered cypress tree root emerging from a swamp, reflecting in water, with a dense forest of similar roots and trees in background.
A person in a red jacket taking a photograph of a wooded trail with green and brown foliage.
An alligator lying on a log in a wetland habitat with a background of foliage. The alligator has a partially open mouth, showing sharp teeth, and a rough, textured body with moss and debris on its back.
A magazine spread featuring wildlife animals. On the left, a close-up of a black bear in water, dripping wet. On the right, a water's surface with a crocodile or alligator partially submerged, showing its eye and snout. Also on the right, a photo of
Long exposure photograph of a wooden pier extending into Lake Phelps under a partly cloudy sky.

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