JOE ALBEA, CO-PRODUCER PHOTOGRAPHER
TOM EARNHARDT, CO-PRODUCER AND HOST

Joe Albea and Tom Earnhardt produce Exploring North Carolina through their production company, Natural World Productions, LLC. Both are lifelong residents of North Carolina, and have years of involvement in outdoor writing and photography. Both have traveled extensively abroad and to every corner of North Carolina. Their wide-ranging travel has convinced both of them that there is no better place on Earth than North Carolina as a focal point for an outdoor exploration series.

Joe Albea, who received his education at East Carolina University, is an acclaimed outdoor photographer and the producer of Carolina Outdoor Journal. The Journal has been on North Carolina Public Television for nine years. Along with his extensive travel in North Carolina he has filmed in Africa, South America, and across North America, including Alaska. His still photography has graced many magazines and his video footage has been used in commercial television, videos, and museums. Joe has also spent much time in front of the camera as a television host, and is a skilled editor and writer. He has a large collection of still photographs and video nature footage from every region of North Carolina.

Tom Earnhardt, a graduate of Davidson College and UNC School of Law, was a law professor for 20 years. He has written or edited several books and has been a frequent contributor of articles and photographs to a number of outdoor magazines. Tom has served on the boards of major conservation organizations, including The Nature Conservancy (state), Trout Unlimited (national), The North Carolina Wildlife Federation, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. He has been a sought after speaker by clubs and organizations. His outdoor/adventure-related travel has taken him across North America, Europe, and Russia, along with trips to China, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. Tom has appeared in, or been host of, a number of television programs and videos. He is a past recipient of the Governor’s Award as “North Carolina Conservationist of the Year.”

Joe is married and lives in Greenville with his wife and son. Tom lives in Raleigh with his wife, son, and daughter.