Hello! I am Alyce (pronounced A-lease) Bender, an outgoing, outdoorsy adventuress who specializes in solo explorations much of the time. A U.S. Air Force veteran, I fell in love with travel while serving and have not stopped exploring since. My love of photography goes back even further—to my childhood, when I used the camera as a way to discover and connect with the natural world around me.

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Since separating from the Air Force in 2013, I have passionately pursued photography and travel while building my portfolio, professional network, and artistic career. Along the way, I was fortunate enough to have my husband’s career take us to Japan, where we lived for more than two years. There, I fell head over heels for the culture, nature, and wildlife. When our time there came to an end, I left a part of myself behind. I have returned annually ever since, both to photograph Japan’s extraordinary landscapes and wildlife and to reconnect with the nature and culture that continue to mean so much to me.

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Leaving Japan also precipitated my decision to make nature photography a full-time profession. When my husband received orders to an overseas location where I was unable to join him, I returned to the United States, bought an RV, and joined the #vanlife culture. For approximately ten months, my two dogs and I traveled throughout the Southwest, exploring Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada. Life on the road opened the door to countless photographic opportunities and allowed me to spend an extended period immersed in the landscapes and wildlife of the region.

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Today, A. Bender Photography LLC is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, though I continue to spend much of the year traveling, teaching, speaking, and leading small-group photo adventures around the world.

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In March 2020, I became a Tamron Ambassador for Tamron Americas and am honored to represent the world’s leading optical lens manufacturers. I am also a Nature First Ambassador and a Partner Photographer with Girls Who Click, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging and mentoring young women interested in conservation and nature photography careers.

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In addition, I serve on the Board of Directors for the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) and as a member of its Ethics Committee. Both roles reflect values that are central to my work: ethical field practices, respect for wildlife and wild places, and the belief that nature photographers have a responsibility to consider the impact of our presence and our images.

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My photographs have been exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States—from New York to Las Vegas and Charleston, South Carolina, to Portland, Oregon—and my artistry has received international recognition from Japan to the United Kingdom. I have spoken to groups around the country and taught at national photography conferences, sharing both practical techniques and a deeper approach to observing and photographing the natural world. My images and writing have appeared in publications including Outdoor Photographer, Tamron Magazine, Ranger Rick Magazine, NANPA Expressions, Landscape Photography Magazine, Wild Planet Photography Magazine, and the Journal of Wildlife Photography.

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Beyond all of that, however, I am happiest in the field. I am passionate about sharing the extraordinary biodiversity this planet has to offer and helping others build a more meaningful connection with the natural world. My goal is to provide high-quality ethical photographic experiences and education that encourage people to slow down, observe more closely, and better understand the subjects and environments they photograph.

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I believe that the stronger our connection with nature becomes, the easier it is to promote environmental awareness and advocate for vulnerable species and their habitats. Through A. Bender Photography LLC, I lead photo adventures and workshops independently and in collaboration with other talented photographers and educators who share those values.

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Thank you for stopping by. I hope you will sign up for my newsletter, where I announce upcoming events, tours, workshops, and newly published articles here on the website.

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Cheers!

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