About Us

A man wearing sunglasses and a light gray hoodie is standing inside a safari vehicle, holding onto the roof frame, with a landscape of trees and open land in the background during the day.

Jeremy Ford

Health Physicist, Wildlife Photographer, and Safari Leader.

Owner & Creator of African Photo Tours

A man with a beard and mustache smiling, wearing a light blue Patagonia hoodie and beige pants, standing in front of a baobab tree.

I fell deeply in love with Africa during my Peace Corps volunteer work back in 2000. Since that transformative experience, I have been traveling extensively across the continent, endlessly inspired by its incredibly diverse cultures and breathtaking natural wonders. For the past two decades, I’ve dedicated myself to capturing these moments through my photography. I believe in slowing down and looking closer. Photography taught me to appreciate the fine details in nature.

I know firsthand how challenging the task of organizing a trip and traveling to Africa can be. Allow me to be your ambassador to this extraordinary continent and guide you in planning your next unforgettable adventure.

Please fill out our short Safari Questionnaire to get your next adventure started.

Your Safari Starts Here!

Doug Melvin

Photograph of a man giving a thumbs up while leaning out of a safari vehicle, with a lion lying on the grass beside him in a vast grassy landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

A nationally experienced photographer and videographer with over 30 years of professional work capturing life through the lens—across cities, states, and landscapes spanning the North American continent. Based in Central Ohio, Doug’s reputation for photographic excellence extends far beyond the Midwest, with projects and assignments taking him from the fog-covered cliffs of the Pacific Northwest to the vibrant cities of the East Coast, the desert Southwest, and the great mountain ranges of the Rockies and Appalachians.

Doug specializes in event photography, nature and landscape photography, and multimedia video production, delivering a rare combination of technical expertise and creative artistry. Whether he’s capturing the emotion of a wedding, the speed and power of a sporting event, or the natural stillness of a remote wilderness, his images reveal a deep understanding of timing, composition, and storytelling.

Doug’s passion began during his early career as a firefighter and fire photographer, where he learned to anticipate critical moments under high-pressure conditions. A charter member of the International Fire Photographers Association, Doug later transitioned into military service as a Public Affairs Representative for the U.S. Military, where he supported media operations, storytelling, and communications on a national scale. His work in public affairs sharpened his skills in messaging, visual communication, and managing complex media projects across diverse environments.

He also holds formal training in photographic arts from The Ohio State University, and has remained committed to refining his craft over decades through both hands-on experience and continuing education. His extensive portfolio includes landscape and nature photography, documenting national parks, remote terrain, and changing seasons with an artist’s eye and a technician’s precision—always grounded in the fundamentals of light, shadow, and composition.

Doug is an active member of both the Professional Photographers of Ohio (PPO) and the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), remaining at the forefront of evolving trends and technologies while staying true to the timeless principles of great photography.