Born and raised in the Chicago area, Jeff Yonover discovered the wonderful blend of wilderness and camera on an extended college road trip to Alaska in 1987.  From that point forward, he was hooked on the wilds.  After graduating with a degree in political science from Colgate University in 1989, Jeff sought a post-graduate "internship" for 2 years in Jackson, WY, then moved on to a 13 year career in his family's sugar business.  Photography remained a strong passion, reserved mostly, however, to holiday travelling.

In 1996, Jeff became a certified scuba diver, more than tripling the amount of wilderness for him to wander.  He has since dived and photographed in some of the world's finest underwater locales, focusing mostly on areas within the Coral Triangle, home to our planet's richest, coral reefs (and, unfortunately, some of the most threatened).
In 2003, Jeff took the leap from his stable position in the family business, to pursue his dream of "going pro" and has never looked back.

In 2004, Jeff's underwater work began to be recognized internationally in the Celebrate the Sea Marine Imagery Festival, and the 1st Prize Winner for Colour Prints in the World Festival of Underwater Pictures in Antibes, France. Awards in 2005 included recognition in the ANZANG Photographer of the Year Competition in Australia, and "Celebrate the Sea".  In 2006 and 2007, Jeff's work continued to receive international praise in "Celebrate the Sea" and ANZANG.  Jeff's work also began to appear in numerous publications and was highly commended in the Shell/BBC 2007 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition.  In 2008 and 2009, Jeff's images were honored in both Nature's Best Photography's Ocean Views and ANZANG competitions, and continued to appear in an increasing number of publications worldwide.

Now residing in Portland, Oregon, Jeff continues to build his portfolio, both domestically and abroad, and donates much of his work to conservation groups who focus on helping to protect our oceans, such as The Nature Conservancy, and Coral Reef Alliance.  In addition to his love of landscape, wildlife, and underwater photography, Jeff's passions include fly fishing, gardening, and his beloved Chicago Cubs (who continue to disappoint).