University of California, Berkeley. Photo: Gku, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Berkeley_glade_afternoon.jpg)
University of California, Berkeley. Photo: Gku, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Berkeley_glade_afternoon.jpg)
Ron Sanford was an American wildlife and travel photographer from Gridley, California, whose work appeared in calendars and magazines and received international recognition. He also led Gridley Growers Inc., served in the United States Army, and participated in civic and conservation organizations. His photography earned a 1990 World Press Photo prize and several honors from California and conservation institutions.
Background
Ron Sanford was born on June 13, 1939, in Gridley, California, to Keith David Sanford and Aileen McIntyre Sanford. He was raised in the agricultural community of Gridley, in California's Sacramento Valley, and remained closely connected with the area throughout his professional life.
Sanford's family background included the McIntyre and Sanford families of northern California. His later work combined local knowledge of the Sacramento Valley and surrounding wildlife habitats with extensive travel to photograph landscapes, birds, mammals, and other subjects around the world.
Education
Sanford received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1961. The university was one of California's principal public research institutions and, during Sanford's student years, combined broad undergraduate education with expanding scientific and professional programs.
His education preceded both a business career in Gridley and his later development as a professional photographer. He also maintained an association with Gridley Union High School, which later named him to its Alumni Hall of Fame in 1986.
Sanford served as president of Gridley Growers Inc. from 1965 to 1978. Gridley Growers operated in the agricultural economy of the Sacramento Valley, where local businesses were closely connected with the production, handling, and marketing of farm commodities.
He served in the United States Army from 1962 to 1965 and held the rank of captain. His military service occupied the period between his university education and his later transition into full-time photography.
Beginning in 1979, Sanford worked as a professional wildlife and travel photographer based in Gridley. With his wife, Nancy, he traveled internationally and produced images for hundreds of calendars and magazines, including National Geographic, Audubon, and National Wildlife. His subjects included birds, bears, buffalo, landscapes, and other natural-history themes; his work also included aerial photography and presentations about destinations such as Alaska, Indonesia, and Bali.
Sanford's photography received national and international recognition. World Press Photo awarded his brown-bear photo story third prize in the Nature category of its 1990 contest. His professional activities also included public slide programs and photography workshops, through which he discussed wildlife, travel, and photographic technique.
Achievements
Sanford developed a long professional career in wildlife and travel photography, producing images for hundreds of calendars and magazines, including National Geographic, Audubon, and National Wildlife.
His wildlife photography received international recognition when his brown-bear photo story won third prize in the Nature stories category of the 1990 World Press Photo contest.
He was named to the Alumni Hall of Fame of Gridley Union High School in 1986.
Membership
Sanford participated in professional, conservation, civic, educational, and health-related organizations in and around Gridley. His memberships included the American Society of Magazine Photographers, the Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and the Gridley Rotary Club.
His civic service included membership on the Gridley Union High School board and service as treasurer of Gridley-Biggs Memorial Hospital from 1976 to 1990. He was president of the Gridley Rotary Club from 1973 to 1974. These organizations connected his professional interests in photography and wildlife with local education, health care, conservation, and community service.
Served as a board member.
Gridley Union High School
,
United States
Served as treasurer.
Gridley-Biggs Memorial Hospital
,
United States
1976 - 1990
American Society of Magazine Photographers
,
United States
Audubon Society
,
United States
The Nature Conservancy
,
United States
Ducks Unlimited
,
United States
Served as president from 1973 to 1974.
Gridley Rotary Club
,
United States
Interests
Wildlife observation, international travel, conservation, slide presentations, and aerial photography.
Connections
Sanford married Nancy Wallace on June 17, 1961. They remained partners in international travel and wildlife photography for more than six decades.
They had two sons, Michael D. Sanford and Daniel E. Sanford. Sanford was the son of Keith David Sanford and Aileen McIntyre Sanford.
Father:
Keith David Sanford
Mother:
Aileen McIntyre Sanford
child:
Michael D. Sanford
child:
Daniel E. Sanford
Wife:
Nancy Wallace
Sanford's wife and longtime partner in international travel and wildlife photography.
Ronald Alan Sanford obituary
Documents Sanford's full name, birth and death dates, Gridley background, family relationships, and marriage to Nancy Wallace.
