Welcome to North Woods Images

North Woods Images is a writing and photography venture owned by Ralph LaPlant of Holyoke, Minnesota. LaPlant has been a photographer and writer for over 40 years, concentrating on the out-of-doors.

His writing, for the most part, has been about wildlife. His writing and photography has appeared in local, regional and national publications, brochures, posters and postcards.

Having a deep respect for the out-of-doors, being a conservation officer and having been a paramedic for over 20 years, LaPlant has regularly contributed to American Survival Guide magazine, where his works have concentrated on outdoor survival and emergency medical skills. 

"Curious," a photograph of two whitetail deer fawns, won LaPlant the 1993 Minnesota Deer Hunters Association's 1st Place in the Live Action category and the Association's Grand Prize.  This image is on the cover of MDHA’s spring 1994 Whitetales.

With a passion for classic motor vehicles and with his emergency medical services background, LaPlant created a photo essay on limousine ambulances for JEMS - The Journal of Emergency Medical Services. Published in their November 1996 issue, "Longing For Limos" was a nostalgic look into the classic ambulances of the past. This piece was nominated for the prestigious Maggie Award (Western Publisher Publications).

Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s Ralph was a photographer at Minnesota Dragways. This NHRA sanctioned drag strip was located in Coon Rapids, MN. These images are popular because of their history of the sport and nostalgia.

Recent trips to Alaska have completed a long time goal of photographing all four North American bears. Ralph now has the black, polar, Alaskan brown and grizzly in his stock. As a result, he is now able to provide a Power Point presentation titled "The Grand Slam of Bears." This program covers information about the bears including range, habitat and behavior as well as safety issues and photography advice. His other presentations are related to photography, law enforcement, emergency medical and rescue services and outdoor survival skills.

He authored a book titled Outdoor and Survival Skills For Nature Photographers. This book which covers skills needed to have a safe and successful nature photography undertaking, is published by Amherst Media and is available from North Woods Images. Contact Ralph for more information.

Greeting cards are available that come with an envelope and are packaged in a clear plastic bag. These make great gifts and some have been framed by recipients.

With over 250,000 images in stock, it is near impossible to list them all so please feel free to contact North Woods Images and ask if we might be able to fill needs.

Courses, presentations and articles are available and affordable.