Success Story: The WinterBadger Collection

The WinterBadger Collection Turns Conservation Photography into a Sustainable Business

Location: Northern California | Marin County | Marin City 

Business Type: Arts, Entertainment and Recreation 

CalOSBA Partner: Marin SBDC 

Assistance Received: Access to capital, technical assistance, and marketing advising  

Visit The WinterBadger Collection website and online shop 

Rob Badger and Nita Winter, award-winning conservation photographers and owners of The WinterBadger Collection, have spent over two decades capturing California’s wildflower landscapes to inspire environmental awareness and action. 

Their journey began in 2009 when Rob and Nita combined their individual photography businesses to better support each other’s work. This led to more art sales and the licensing of images to enhance space. Their signature project, Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change, has become a touring exhibit and a 12-time award-winning wildflower book. Their wildflower and nature photography is featured in over 40 US medical facilities and government, foundation, and corporate offices. 

Rob and Nita first came to the Marin SBDC to help them grow in marketing, including social media and exposure, and get their book published and funded. They also needed help understanding different funding options. Like many businesses, the pandemic increased the challenges facing Rob and Nita. 

Over the years, they worked with multiple SBDC advisors who guided them through business planning, crowdfunding, grant applications, developing an online presence and social media marketing. This included launching a successful Kickstarter campaign that gave them $70,000 and building their following across multiple social platforms. Rob and Nita have attended many SBDC workshops to further advance their skills in online marketing and e-commerce.  

SBDC advisors also supported them through the process of applying for and securing pandemic relief funding, which saved their business. “The pandemic funding was paramount for keeping our business alive and we may not have succeeded in getting that funding without the help from SBDC,” explained Rob and Nita.  

Rob and Nita have deep gratitude for the support they received. “Working with SBDC has been an extremely valuable investment of our time. As artists, we just want to create; we are not trained businesspeople. It’s incredible to have skillful, patient, non-judgmental experts at our fingertips whenever questions arise or when we hit a challenge or when we need to understand the latest trend and/or update. The SBDC has helped us make important and critical decisions for our business and always keeps us focused with a clear strategy to carry out our projects. This is truly an amazing service that can help so many other artists and business owners. Thank you!” 

With continued growth in book, notecard, and merchandise sales, major art installations, and ongoing recognition for their conservation work—including the prestigious Sierra Club’s Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography—Rob and Nita remain committed to using their talents to make a difference, one wildflower at a time. 

[April 2, 2025]