Born in Oregon, Rob Daugherty has always been very involved with animals and nature making photography a priority in his life. His employment in Law Enforcement with the Federal Fisheries Agency on the Columbia River gave him the opportunity to view wildlife from land, sea and air further inspiring him to capture the landscapes and wildlife that he encountered on a daily basis in the two states of
his jurisdiction. From photographing Bald Eagles in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge to the landscapes of the Oregon coastline and capturing the wildlife of the breathtaking Mt Hood National Forest, Rob laid the foundation for what would become his life’s passion. As Rob explored his photography skills in his free time, his career in law enforcement opened another door for him. While at the shooting range one day, he found that frequent trips to the car for ammo and other items was taking away from his concentration and valuable time. He states “I realized at the time that I needed a way to carry my stuff with me.” So he went home and designed his first vest on his kitchen table, shared the prototype with a police supply company in Portland, Oregon, jokingly asking how many they wanted, and promptly took his first order of 25 vests, launching his career in a new direction. For over 22 years, Rob has been supplying photography, tactical, and safety vests, pouches, slings and bags to customers all over the world. All products are proudly manufactured in the USA and a complete product line can be accessed online at http://TheVestGuy.com Rob may have started out manufacturing tactical vests but his focus has changed to providing quality gear and accessories for the professional photographer. After moving to Northern Utah in 2005, Rob was inspired by the large number of wildlife photography opportunities available within short distances of his North Salt Lake home. With several state and National parks in close proximity to his home, Rob has honed his skills to include the capturing of his subjects in their most vulnerable moments. From the delivery of a Bison calf which must be able to stand and join the herd within less than an hour of birth so as not to be left behind to witnessing a mother bear teaching her cubs to forage for means of survival. He has developed a great sense of patience in waiting for that “One Shot” that will leave you with a deep appreciation for nature and all of its wonders. His greatest inspiration is driven by his love for both Yellowstone and Teton National Parks which he travels to more than 15 times each year in addition to dozens of other State and National Parks. As an international photographer, Rob has experienced places and cultures that have humbled him and instilled in him an even greater appreciation for the world in which we live. His international travels include: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China. His frequent trips to our nation’s most picturesque National Parks include Yellowstone, the Tetons, Arches, Zion, Canyonlands, Bryce, and Capitol Reef, as well as numerous state parks, wildlife refuges and bird sanctuaries. “To this day, conservation and protection of our wildlife and nature remains a vital part of who I am.” – Rob Daugherty
