Bio
I turned to nature and photography as a way to deal with grief and stress. Outside on hikes and along lakes photographing the wildlife around me I learned to relax and just breathe.
As a child, I watched my father’s photos come to life as he developed them in the darkroom in our home. Throughout my life, I recorded family events and fun activities with a camera I always seemed to have. When my husband passed away in 2010 I bought a digital camera, not really knowing what I was going to do with it, but somehow knowing I needed to be outside. I soon realized I didn’t know as much as I should about photographing birds and wildlife. Using Auto mode only resulted in the image I wanted occasionally and the wildlife were often too small to identify. I needed help!
Astonishingly, there were photography classes at our school district’s evening adult school. I began with the basic class and learned how to use Manual mode, adjust the shutter speed, ISO and other necessary elements in creating a great photo. I even learned that many of the instructors were international photography award winners with several honored by having their prints at the Smithsonian. Imagine – all in my backyard!
Soon I progressed to composition classes and after hours practicing at nearby lakes and botanical gardens received awards myself. Online workshops during COVID have led to friendships with the top wildlife photographers in the world. Hard to imagine that purchasing a digital camera during a grief-stricken period of my life would lead to this!
Not only have I photographed wildlife in California where I lived for many years, but also in Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Florida, South Africa, South Carolina and North Carolina where I now live. At art fairs throughout North Carolina and on this website are the photos from those adventures!
My photography reflects the emotional moments I see in the wild, especially animal mothers, their young and behaviors. I also enjoy photographing landscapes, birds, flowers and butterflies.
I am an ethical wildlife photographer and do not use bait or any other practice that endangers my subject. Patience and observing behavior give the most satisfying and realistic results. Wildlife needs a voice so that their existence is valued and respected!
Look closely and you will see moments that I have caught in photos that you have never seen before!