I have been a full time
photojournalist in Oklahoma City, for more than 20 years.
Currently I am employed with The Oklahoman. My specialties
include photo coverage of news, features and sports
assignments across the state & country. It's great to have a
job where I have no adult supervision.
Growing up in Oklahoma in the 1960's & 70's, everyone knew a
local naturalist/herpetologist by the name of Bob Jenni, who
would make TV & public appearances all over the state. I was
always fascinated with the way Bob could handle alligators,
rattle snakes, cobras & many other animals. I had dreams of
becoming a herpetologist myself, however, my mother had a NO
SNAKE! rule & my dad enforced that rule. At age 13 photography
was my career choice. I shot photos for my high school
yearbook & newspaper, studied photography at the University of
Central Oklahoma and worked at The Oklahoman on a part-time
basis. I then had a dream of taking photos like you see on
Navy recruiting posters. FYI, NEVER trust a recruiter named
"SPEEDY"! After 3 years assembling & testing UNDERWATER MINES
I found myself back in Oklahoma City, as a photojournalist.
In 1999 I had an assignment to photograph a young cancer
patient with the Make A Wish foundation. The young man chose
to spend 5 days with local reptile breeder Bob Clark for his
wish. After visiting Bob's facility, the door opened to
endless photo possibilities of what, in my opinion, are some
of mother natures most beautiful animals.
Since meeting Bob in 1999 I now have
taken thousands of photographs of his and other reptile breeders
collections.
I now have started collecting and breeding pythons myself and have
plans to build a new breeding facility near Oklahoma City. With all
the time money and work involved in keeping a healthy collection, I've
taken the advice of local breeder Mike Wilbanks by only keeping and
breeding the animals that I have a true passion for.
Please take a look at my breeding
projects, with new morphs being proven out every year the
possibilities are endless. I have many pythons available outside of my
breeding stock from trades for my photography, If you're looking for
an investment animal, or a high quality pet Please let me help you
find it.
If you aren't a reptile lover, Please take the time to look at some of
my photos and I hope you appreciate the beauty that I see in these
creatures.
Thank you!
Steve Gooch
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