My name is John Anthony Merkle, known to friends and family as Tony.  I was born and raised in northern Kentucky near Cincinnati, Ohio and still live in that area.   As a child, through activities such as gardening, fishing, pet care and general exploration, I learned about the natural world and developed a deep appreciation for it that has stayed with me throughout my life.  Along with that, I also developed a great interest in artistic expression.  Through the vehicle of photography, I have found a means by which these two passions can be connected.  My aim as an artist is to produce images that capture the beauty of our world so that others can be inspired by it and seek to experience it as well.  I strive for images that are technically strong and visually compelling, presenting the beauty that surrounds us realistically and yet artistically as well.  I have a wife named Donna, two daughters, Lori and Angelica, and two grandchildren, Joel and Elena.  I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Northern Kentucky University.