I am a naturalist and environmentalist first and a visual
artist who uses a camera to share nature's beauty second.
How I photograph is an extension of the values, beliefs and ethics
I live in my life. From an early age, Native American culture
teaches that all things in our world are sacred and
inter-connected. This includes humans, animals, plants, trees,
water, mountains and even rocks. How we relate to and protect
those things is critical to the health of the planet.
Whether it's hiking, walking, sitting by a tree or
photographing my wish always is to help protect the planet and
honor the sacredness of all things. Before photographing, I first
give thanks to the land and state that nothing will be harmed or
disturbed in my visit. Then I walk quietly and wait. Over time,
something whispers for my attention and when it does I always ask
permission first of the subject or scene before making the
photograph.
Ethics
My landscape photography is guided by many ethics and
principles. Here are a few:
I practice the principle of Leave
No Trace to minimize my impact on the land and
protect it for future generations.
I will never intentionally
threaten or create stress or fear in an animal by
approaching too close or making loud noises in an effort to
get a better photograph.
I believe the camera should
be the method used to capture the actual beauty, awe or
drama of a scene. Instead of using the computer to
dramatically manipulate a photograph, I prefer to hike, sit
or walk and wait patiently in nature, often hours at a time,
until she's ready to gift me with an image.
In some rare instances I
reserve the right to modify a photo slightly so as to hide
its exact location. I do this because over the years I've
seen areas featured in well publicized photos that were
damaged, defaced or even destroyed by irresponsible visitors
or thoughtless photographers wanting a souvenir.
I value the quiet, solitude
and peace nature provides and the rights of others to
experience it as well. In that regard, I practice being
silent in nature, avoid making disturbing noises when hiking
and turn the ringer off on my phone.