I’m JM – documenting animal behaviour thru an antho lens.

JM is an interdisciplinary naturalist whose work blends anthropology, archaeology, wildlife photography, and animal-behavior study. Originally from Louisiana, he moved to Texas as a young boy, where time spent outdoors sparked a lifelong curiosity about the natural world.

He later attended Texas State University, earning a degree in Anthropology and participating in archaeological fieldwork across the southern United States. Though he valued uncovering history through material culture, he became increasingly drawn to the living stories unfolding in present-day ecosystems. A transformative trip to Africa strengthened this shift, where observing elephants, primates, and other wildlife in their natural social structures inspired him to explore photography as a way to document behavior and relationship.

Over time, JM transitioned from archaeological research to a more forward-looking pursuit: studying animals in both wild and sanctuary environments. He found that ethical, long-term care facilities provided unique opportunities to observe healing, social reintegration, and cultural behavior among permanent-resident animals whose backgrounds are kept respectfully confidential. His work now centers on documenting how individuals adapt to new environments, form social bonds, and express personality, memory, and emotional depth.

Today, JM continues to combine field observation, sanctuary collaboration, and visual storytelling. His photography and written work aim to deepen public appreciation for wildlife as thinking, feeling beings with their own social worlds. He hopes to advance a more empathetic, culturally informed understanding of animals—one rooted in patience, respect, and shared connection.