Jorel Cuomo was born in California in 1985. He spent his childhood years on the Pacific North West Coast of Canada and Hawaii where he developed an intimate love of nature.
In 2000, he moved to Colorado to pursue flying and nature photography. Recipient of a 2004 NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association) High School Photography Scholarship, he now engages in wildlife and landscape photography full time. Featured in ‘Nature's Best 2004 International Photography Showcase', his photograph of ‘Dancing Cormorants' taken at Ecola State Park, Oregon, earned him a ‘Highly Honored Award' in the Youth Category and was given 'Honorable Mention' in the 2005 July issue of Smithsonian Magazine's 2nd Annual Photo Contest.
In the fall of 2004, he was presented with a finalist award for his business ‘Jorel . Cuomo Photography’ for the Young Americans Awards Celebration' Young Entrepreneur of Colorado at the University of Denver and was featured on NBC's Morning News for the Young Entrepreneur Marketplace at the Young American Bank in Denver, Colorado.
In 2005, he was awarded ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ in the 19-21 age group for his photographic business, ‘Photographs for Conservation’ in raising awareness of wildlife and nature in business from the Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs, Young Americans Bank Denver, Colorado.
He prefers to work on location where he can best see nature in its prime element.
“My mission as a nature photographer is to honor the inner nature, the spark of life that is present in all life forms. Our wildlife and natural habitats are in need of conservation for the benefit of future generations. We are all intimately interconnected in this delicate web of creation. With awareness and positive action, we can make a difference and preserve our precious planet”.
PHOTOGRAPHY/EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
– Wildlife/landscape photographer, portrait/fashion/glamour, private/corporate – J.T. Thomas, photographer, mentor (2002-3), Paonia, Co – NANPA Annual Photography Summit (2004) Portland, Oregon , 'High School Scholarship Photography Recipient' – Educator, 'Introduction to Photography', 'Vision HPC School', Paonia, Co (04) – Graduate of 'Vision HPC School, Paonia, June 04
EXHIBITIONS
– ‘Natures Best International Photography Awards’- Smithsonian Museum, WashingtonDC (Jan-March 06)
- 'BlueSageCenter of the Arts, 'Two Artists', Paonia, Co, (04/05)
– 'Young Entrepreneur Marketplace', Young American Bank, (12/04), Denver, Co
'Hunter Gatherer Gallery', Solo Exhibition,'2004 Rocky Mountain Collection', (09/04)
- 'Edge of the Cedars’, ‘Juried Art Show', First Place, 'Dancing Cormorants', 'Hide & Seek', 2nd Place, Cedaredge, Co (6/05)
– 'San Juan Photography Exhibition', Juried Art Show, 'Chairman Award' for 'Hide and Seek', (Wildlife), 'First Place', (Wildlife), 'First Place', (Animal), '2nd Place,'( Humor), '3rd & 4th Place', (Animal), Montrose, Co, (10/04)
–'Nature's Best International Photography Awards', 'Highly Honored Award, Youth Category', 'Dancing Cormorants', (Fall 04)
–(NANPA) North American Nature Photography Association, 'High School Photography Scholarship Recipient' , (2004), Portland, Oregon
–'Black Canyon Juried Fine Arts Exhibition', 'Youth Award’ and ‘First Place Award for Photography', 'Dancing Cormorants,' (04), Hotchkiss, Co
–'Finalist Award', 'Young Entrepreneur of Colorado 2004', 16-18 year category, 'Young American Bank' for 'Jorel Cuomo Photography', Business, (Sept. 04), 'University of Colorado', Denver, Co
GRANTS
- 'Cocker Kids Foundation', 'Aviation', (2001/2002), Crawford, Co
- 'Valley Chronicle', 'Frisbee Article', April 2005, Hotchkiss, Co
– 'Nature's Best Photography', Fall 2004, 'Dancing Cormorants', International Awards
– 'Nature's Best Photography', Summer 2004, NANPA – 'Shutterbug Magazine', November 04, photos/article, Student Union
– 'Phat', (2004, 2003, 2002), Photography, articles, short stories, Paonia, Co - 'High Country News', 'Dancing Cormorants', June issue 2004, Paonia, Co - 'Canyon Wanderings', Black Canyon Audubon Society Journal, (02/04)
GALLERIES
- Grand Willow, 801 Grand Ave., No.3, Grand Lake, Co, 80447, 970.627.0092
- Jack Straw Mountain Gallery, 1030 Grand Lake, Colorado, PO Box 1870, 80447-1870
- Bear Creek Gifts, 130 W. Bridge St. Hotchkiss, Co 970.872.4290 - Expressions, 302 2nd St. Paonia, Co 970.527.6450 - Flying Fork, 103 3rd St. Paonia, Co 970.527.3203
Jorel Cuomo