Cheryl Opperman
Photography Guide & Award-Winning Nature Photographer
Cheryl Opperman is a nationally acclaimed photographer who has traveled to every continent in the world capturing spectacular images of nature, wildlife, and indigenous cultures. Widely published, her photographs have appeared in print, on the web, on television, and in solo and group exhibits, resulting in a list of clients or credits which include The American Humane Association, The Denver Post, Apple, the National Geographic Society, Denver International Airport, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Cheryl’s esthetic compositions, artistic use of light, and exquisite detail have been honored with several prestigious awards from organizations including The Earth Day Network, Nature’s Best Photography, the International Photography Awards, and the National Wildlife Federation. She was also featured as a leading female nature photographer by Outdoor Photographer Magazine and has appeared in on-camera interviews by 9News Denver, the Luminous Landscape, and Smithsonian Earth.
Using the power of photography to inspire interest in the environment and other cultures, she has presented keynote addresses, speeches, or classes on various topics to schools, camera clubs, the Intermountain Regional Headquarters of the National Park Service, the Crane Trust, the Colorado Environmental Film Festival, and the North American Nature Photography Association. Cheryl is a sought-after educator, leading photo workshops and tours worldwide with passion, patience, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.
A 1992 honors graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography, Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial/Scientific photography.
What Travelers Say About Cheryl
“After fifteen years of taking nature photography workshops, in Cheryl Opperman I have at last found a teacher who is that rare combination of a gifted and deeply knowledgeable photographic instructor and a consummate, ethical, kind, and well-prepared guide. Cheryl made my dreams of photographing sandhill cranes along the Platte River come true and I came away a much more skilled bird photographer. I cannot recommend Cheryl Opperman highly enough.”
Irene R.
Crane Trust Photo Workshop
“Cheryl did a wonderful job guiding our photo safari in Tanzania. She was always in teaching mode and offering assistance so I could use my camera to its full capacity. I’ve been using my Canon camera for several years but I’d never used some of the features that would help me make better images. With her guidance, I feel like my images have improved and I’m more confident in my ability to get the shot. Despite the long days and early mornings she was always available to review images and offer suggestions.
I’ve been on three safaris and this was the first time I saw cheetahs (and cheetah cubs). It was an incredible experience. The opportunity for close-ups on lions and leopards as well made the trip a memorable experience. We were able to witness thousands of wildebeests and zebras crossing the river in the Great Migration. It was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. I got hundreds of photos from the crossing. I realize there are no guarantees of wildlife sightings but Cheryl (with help from the local guide) gave us every opportunity to find and photograph a variety of birds and animals.”
Pamela S.
Photo Expedition to Tanzania
“WOW, what an experience! We had a front row seat to an incredible spectacle of nature. Cheryl is a wonderful professional photographer, great teacher, passionate nature lover, and an even better person. She went above and beyond to make sure each participant learned as much about photography as we could, get the images we hoped for, and had fun doing it. I strongly suggest taking one of Cheryl’s workshops – you won’t be disappointed.”
Brent W.
Crane Trust Photo Workshop, Prairie Chicken Workshop, Mexico’s Magical Monarchs, and Costa Rica
