Many photographers, community leaders, conservationists, and local residents have come forward to support wildlife photographer James Ford from unfounded, unsubstantiated attacks. Here are a few letters that testify to his ethics, integrity, talent, and wholehearted commitment to protecting wildlife:
There is a local business whose marquis often includes thoughtful quotes. The one it’s featuring right now, as I write this, says, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
I find those words timely because I am writing to both stand for something and for someone—specifically, for James Ford, who has been repeatedly and from all I know personally of his character and commitments unjustly accused of illegal and unethical behavior in his photographing of wildlife in general and critically endangered Red Wolves in particular. The “something” I am standing for has been a basic tenet of our democracy since its inception: that accusations without concrete evidence, constitute not only falsehood but the very specific crimes of slander or libel or both, depending on how they were expressed. Our system of laws specifically addresses the inherent wrongness of such practices. Yet in this era of social media, not only can online bullying do immense damage, so also can false accusation, as rumors take on the weight of truth without any corresponding proof.
Now for the “someone” I am standing up for. I have known James Ford since I first starting seeing him at Alligator River refuge in the summer of 2022. I began hearing these vague accusations that summer/fall about photographers feeding/baiting Red Wolves for photographs. James’ name came up in those conversations, and I am ashamed to confess that rather than asking for evidence, since my original sources were people I knew and trusted for many years, I believed them at first. I did not consider that perhaps they had in turn been told these stories by others and never asked for evidence themselves. This has been a powerful life lesson for me.
What happened to prompt me to question the stories I had been told was getting to know James on a more personal basis and observing his conduct in the field. At the time, it is true, he and other photographers were working hard to raise awareness of the Red Wolves and their critically endangered status. They had a growing portfolio of photographs, and I literally had none, despite spending a lot more time in the refuge beginning in 2022 after my husband passed late in 2021. The general argument, that the only way to be able to have photos of Red Wolves comparable to what was being shared on social media was through baiting, may have seemed logical on its face—until I learned enough of the patterns of behavior and movement to be able to observe members of the Milltail pack myself in fallow fields. Through a combination of a very long wildlife lens and cropping and editing in the computer, I too made similar photographs, all obtained ethically, either from my vehicle or standing right beside it on open refuge roads while the Red Wolves foraged in the fields beyond. On many of those occasions James and I were in the exact same place at the same time, and we obtained, of course, similar images. In one incident, in October of 2023, we were watching an uncollared pup in one area when a particular Red Wolf, 2412, came walking up the road behind us. There were several photographers there, both locals and visitors from out of the area and all of us made images. But right after that, James called field Red Wolf biologist Joe Madison to tell him of that wolf’s proximity and behavior. I know this to be true, not only because James told me he was doing that, but because I encountered Joe myself a little while later—he had come out to respond based on James’ information and I was able to tell Joe what I had seen as well. On another occasion after a snowfall, James and I were photographing together in the refuge and came upon wolf tracks that clearly led across highway 64. He immediately reached out to Joe to let him know exactly where those tracks were found.
Why do I give you these examples (and I have many more just like this to share)? Because this is evidence I know to be true. I was there as these calls were made; I could verify James’ assertions. This contrasts sharply, starkly, with the unsubstantiated rumors that have discredited James without his accuser(s) coming forward, as the law demands, with concrete evidence beyond their own words and stories.
The James Ford I have gotten to know cares deeply, passionately about wildlife, particularly endangered species. He is not attempting to use his photography to make a livelihood or a name for himself; he is literally doing the opposite, by sharing, often without photographic credit, with organizations that have benefitted from his imagery to raise funds and awareness to help Red Wolves. A specific example is his donation of photography to the effort to secure wildlife corridors in the most dangerous areas of vehicle strike mortality in eastern North Carolina..
By this letter, I am publicly requesting that anyone with credible evidence come forward to produce evidence of the wrongdoing James is accused of repeatedly, continually doing—and in the absence of such evidence, that you issue, as I am here, a public acknowledgement and apology for your participation in perpetuating the accusations that have affected his reputation, his standing in the wildlife conservation community, and his physical and emotional health.
Thank you,
Eve Turek
Wildlife Photographer
I have been working with James Ford for several years, and he is the most ethical, thoughtful, responsible, and talented wildlife photographer I have ever met.
For 25 years, I have served as editor for Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, which reaches a quarter-million readers from Maryland to Georgia. As senior editor, I have worked with hundreds of photographers over the years, including National Geographic photographers and some of the world’s most renowned outdoor photographers. James Ford is as talented as any of them, and he is also the most ethical and responsible photographer I have encountered in all my years of working with professional photographers.
Why is he so good? James is more committed to wildlife than any person on the planet. He has dedicated his life to protecting the wild. His commitment is unsurpassed, and that translates into phenomenal photography.
James also knows wildlife better than most Ph.D. biologists. He has an incredibly deep knowledge of the animals he photographs and can recite their scientific background and natural history, but what sets him apart is his unparalleled field experience. No one has spent more time in the field observing wildlife than James.
His deep field experience and observations have revealed intricacies and subtleties to wildlife behavior that don’t show up in textbooks. He can read the landscape better than anyone I know. He knows the animals deeply and personally, and so he can find their signs and trails and habitat. He is deeply and profoundly attuned to the wildlife he photographs, which enables him to capture images that most other photographers cannot.
Perhaps the most distinguishing and important quality of all is the energy he brings to his work. He is not photographing wildlife to make money or boost his ego. He is there for the animals. He is a selfless photographer seeking to help the wildlife he photographs by telling their stories and raising awareness about the challenges they face. This selfless spirit is sensed by the wildlife he photographs. Animals can sense the energy that humans bring, and wildlife intuitively sense that James is a kindred spirit working on their behalf.
James is also completely comfortable in the wild. He often walks barefoot to move as lightly as possible across the landscape. While many other photographers shoot for a few hours, James’ photography expeditions often last days or weeks. His scent and presence become wild like the animals he photographs. He sheds ego and comfort and immerses himself in the wild so that he melts into it. He is able to still himself for hours and days. He can sit for long periods and just listen and observe. He becomes part of the wild, and as a result, the animals feel at ease in his presence.
James clearly has mastered the art of photography. Incredibly, he is self-taught and uses basic camera equipment, much of it used or borrowed, which makes his images even more impressive and amazing. I published this story about James Ford in Blue Ridge Outdoors to highlight his outdoor photography skills and share them with our audience:
https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.
James has been instrumental in protecting Red Wolves through photography. The images he has freely shared helped bring attention to Red Wolves’ plight. He stepped up in a critical moment to help Red Wolves, and his photography helped inspire thousands of people from across the country to support building wildlife crossings in the Red Wolves’ refuges. He has been a hero for Red Wolves, using his photography to capture the beauty and wonder of Red Wolves.
I have been working with James for more than two years to bring attention to the challenges facing Red Wolves, especially the threats from road mortality and the need for wildlife crossings. James has been a key voice for wildlife crossings, and the Red Wolf wildlife crossings became a national success story because of James and his photography.
Over the years, some people have voiced unfounded criticisms of James. Although these criticisms are completely unfounded and unsubstantiated, they have damaged James’ reputation and deeply hurt him as a person. His moral conviction and dedication are important parts of who he is. He doesn’t profit from his photography or seek followers or fame. His sole motivation is to help the Red Wolves, and the unfair and unjust claims have been incredibly painful to him.
I have been in the field with James, and I know firsthand that he wholeheartedly dedicated to the highest ethical standards and practices. In fact, he loves the wolves so much that he is now advocating for closing the refuge to the public, even if that means he cannot see or photograph the wolves himself. He places what is best for the wolves and wildlife ahead of everything else.
I hope the unfounded accusations against James cease immediately. I stand firmly by his side along with everyone else who truly knows him or works with him. James embodies the highest ethical photography standards and is a true champion of the wild.
Will Harlan
Senior Editor
Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
