Jean-Louis Monfraix bought his first 35mm camera while touring as lead guitarist for the "East Coast Brass" in 1978 and has been photographing his “view of life” ever since.  Jean-Louis is also a naturalist and biologist : he holds a Master's Degree in Zoology from the University of Florida and has taught biology as an adjunct professor at the American University in Washington, D.C., and at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida. 

Jean-Louis received two “Highly Honored” awards from Nature’s Best in the 2007 Windland Smith Rice International Awards.  One of his award-winning images, a Blue-footed Booby displaying was exhibited in the Nature’s Best Gallery of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History for 6 months.  Several of his Florida wildlife images are part of a permanent exhibition at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Jean-Louis is best known for his vibrant images of Washington, D.C.  His first book, “Washington, D.C.: Wonder and Light”, was published in 2006 by Mountain Trail Press and is available in major bookstores such as Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.  Many of his images have also been featured in a wide range of publications including covers for the American Psychologist, Holiday Cards for the U.S. Department of State, calendars for Nature’s Best and the United States Capitol Historical Society.

Signed, fine art prints of Jean-Louis’ photographs can be purchased by visiting his booth on Sundays at the historic Eastern Market on Capitol Hill, as well as other shows in the Washington, D.C., area, or by contacting the artist directly.  Jean-Louis currently lives on the Southwest Waterfront of Washington, D.C., with his wife Cynthia.