ANTELOPE ISLAND — It’s all in the timing.

For photographer John Van Natter, whose work is on display at the Antelope Island Visitor’s Center Art Gallery now through July 31, the magic of his work comes in being ready and waiting at exactly the right moment.

“Early on, I realized that if I saw a shot, I should take it,” he said. “If you miss one, you may have to wait a whole year before you see another one like it. Or there may never be another one like it again.”

In fact, timing played a big part in starting Van Natter’s photographic career in the first place. Though he’d always been fascinated by taking pictures, 9-11 gave him the kickstart he needed to actually get started.

“It was something I’d wanted to do for a long time,” he said. “Then, in fall 2001, I told myself ‘The world’s kind of changing around me. It’s about time.’”

He has several favorite locations for his photographs, depending on the time of year he’s shooting. In the winter he spends a lot of time on Antelope Island, as well as trying to make an annual trip to Moab. In spring and fall there are the nearby canyons, and the Great Salt Lake wetlands are a favorite at several points.

“I’ve had people tell me ‘I went here and it didn’t look like that,’ but it takes time,” he said. “You have to be there at the right moment, like when the sun is going down or just as the sky is clearing.”

Or, in one circumstance, the moment where the mood of a moose met up perfectly with the whims of the sunlight.

“I spent 45 minutes standing there waiting for the light to change, and as soon as it did I took the shot,” said Van Natter. “Seconds after that, the moose got up and left.”

No matter what happens, though, Van Natter is right there.

“When you’re a kid you spend a lot of time outdoors, but when you grow up you kind of lose touch,” said Van Natter. “Photography helps keep me more connected to nature.”