Why nature photography? For the love of our beautiful planet, for the love of its wildlife, and most of all, for the love of animals. For the love of photography, both the art of it and the science of it. For the love of the challenge of it all. This is what brings me back full circle to merge my passion for nature and my passion for photography. This is why, as my business career gets nearer to the finish line, my passion for photography has once again crossed the starting line.
I first crossed this line when I took a beginners film photography class back in my 20’s and the lights went out. Yes, the instructor had explained to the class how we were to secure the photographic paper on the glass plate before turning the plates over, and yes, it was my glass plate that went crashing to the floor. All that could be heard was glass shattering. My glass shattering. But even in the darkness, embarrassed and unsure what to do next (thankfully the instructor was at my side helping me in a flash), yes even in that darkness I knew the light had already turned on for me. I loved photography. I loved everything about it, even my mistakes, which could be expensive back in the pre-digital days of developing film.
Later in life I was busy with a family and a business career. I found my way back to my love for nature through travel and volunteering on committees and Boards of nonprofit organizations. I found my way back to my love for animals through feeding baby squirrels at a rehabilitation center and cleaning cages at a shelter for dogs and cats. And I found my way back to my love for photography while capturing images during travels to Africa to help primate sanctuaries.
There were many ways back but now I have found a path forward. I move forward through sharing the beauty of our planet’s animals and wildlife and through creating awareness by partnering with nonprofits who work tirelessly to protect them. I have created two photographic essay books: A Flash of Their Soul: Inspiration from the Wildlife of the Tehachapi Mountains and A Flash of Their Soul: Inspiration from the United Pegasus Foundation. The latter is about the founder of one of the first and largest Thoroughbred horse rescues in California and this amazing nonprofit that currently cares for over 130 beautiful horses, most are ex-racehorses who often arrive as elder animals or with severe injuries. I am very excited to share more about this organization in my next blog, and I am very excited to be on this path forward. I hope you’ll join me!
All profits from the sale of any of my books, fine art prints and notecards are donated to 501(c) nonprofit organizations such as the United Pegasus Foundation, organizations working so hard to save animals, wildlife, and our planet’s biodiversity. (To make a purchase please see ‘Fine Art Prints & Notecards’ and ‘Books’ pages of website.)
Stay Inspired!
Wendy