Thank you for taking part in our Community Conversations interview Liz!

What brought you to Gather Academy in the first place?

Short answer: social media. :) After following on Instagram for a while, I had seen an invitation to a Project 52 which led me to the website. I discovered art and community that fit with my vision, a little outside-the-box, and a lot welcoming. I had taken a course years ago with April so I was acquainted with her vision and creativity and passion and expertise which led me to apply to be a Gather Pro.

(Taken during April’s Course October 2017)

Congratulations on becoming a Gather Pro and teaching your first workshop. I hear you are teaching a new workshop soon. Can you tell us more about this?

Absolutely! The day the “world shut down” in the U.S. I had this feeling in my soul that we would all need light and hope in the coming days (I didn’t realize at the time it would be a year plus!) On March 16th, 2020 I began a project of “Finding Beauty in Uncertainty”. We were shut in, isolated, stationary, but the natural world around us was still blooming and growing. Every day I sought it and captured it and posted it on Facebook. This process opened my eyes to the richness of the experiences we can discover wherever we find ourselves despite what may be occurring outside in the world or inside of us. This workshop explores these opportunities with reflection, exercises, feedback, challenges, and creative techniques. This course is open to all skill and experience levels! The course runs from September 12th - October 8th and will provide weekly live group Zoom meetings, video, written, and visual content, daily prompts for class connection, and video and/or written feedback on assignments. I'm looking forward to experiencing together the beauty that surrounds each of us!

(Taken in my front yard during the COVID-19 pandemic.)

What’s next for you? Where can you see your photography heading in 2023?

I am grateful for Gather Academy and the opportunity to teach and I would love to expand on that by providing Webinars (2 hour live “mini classes”) as well as in-person events locally such as Photowalks, personal instruction, and documentary projects.

(Taken in Gettysburg, PA on a Lensbaby Photowalk)

Can you tell us a bit about your personal photography journey thus far?

I have always been a “documenter.” My mom recently unearthed a box of photographs from my middle school years. It contained candid photos of a field day and photographs of my brother in the back seat of our station wagon - everyday life. In high school I began capturing images for the yearbook and through the years was frequently asked to take photographs at family events. As my college graduation gift, my dad gave me my first Canon SLR (yes, with film). As a musician he has always had a creative side and a draw to nature which naturally instilled those in me. After the birth of my second child I dabbled in portrait photography but soon found my passion and joy in envisioning and capturing the moments around me with unique views.

Lensbaby lenses play a big part in your photographic practice, as do flower and nature photographs. Can you share with us what you love about these and how you like to work with them?

Life isn’t always clear. Actually most of the time it’s quite the opposite. Lensbaby allows me to capture the world in a way that has just a bit of focus. That leaves space for imagination, for dreaming, for wondering. Lensbaby lenses, optics, filters catch and capture light in ways that are sometimes surprising but also majestic. They enable me to tell a visual story with an added depth of emotion and connection.

Speaking of connection, part of my soul relates to nature and flowers in that way. Slowing down to observe how the light interacts with the petals or the shadows fall through the trees causes awe and wonder at the majesty of God’s creation, inspires a sense of gratitude, and draws me to use my photographic lens to hold onto that feeling.

(Reverse freelensed with the Lensbaby Burnside 35)

Where in the world are you, and what can you see right now?

I live in South-Central PA. Our little town (home of the famous Martin’s potato rolls!) is settled in a valley so I get a view of the Appalachian Mountains no matter which direction I drive. Just outside of town we have fields and farmland and at the moment there are wildflowers popping up along the sides of the road (which delights my heart!). I also see my children popping in and out of my door - their vibrancy gives me energy!

When you are not busy photographing, what else might you be doing in your spare time? I hear we can find you running on any trail you can find.

You got it! I am a trail runner but also enjoy biking and training. I celebrated my 40th birthday by running 40 miles in the local mountains and have run a few ultramarathons (but never a “regular” marathon!) I also enjoy simply being in the forest with the trees and earth and take myself and my family there as often as the schedule allows. I have yet to figure out how to combine my passions and run with a DSLR. That said, moving through the woods without a camera helps me to slow down and appreciate the shadows and light and life without the capacity to capture it which hones my observation skills.

(Taken after a run through Caledonia State Park)

Tell us one thing about you that often surprises people?

I have 4 children ages 8-15 (two in middle school this year! Yikes!). They will appear in my art sporadically. Although they are no longer my “go to” subjects, they are each developing their own interest in the photographic world. For example, my oldest daughter is completing a photo-a-day project on her iPhone and my younger two documented our week of adventures while the big kids were at camp.

Also, I am an occupational therapist. I have my Master’s Degree in Gerontology (the study of aging) and worked in a nursing home for years but switched to the other end of the spectrum and now provide OT services in homes for children 3 and younger and their families. OT’s guiding principle of promoting optimal engagement in meaningful activity enables me to discern priorities and routines in my own life and shapes my art.

Photography is not always easy, right?! What do you find is your biggest struggle with it?

My biggest struggle is the feeling as if I should always be photographing. Just because I CAN doesn’t mean I SHOULD. At times I leave my camera at home or it sits in its bag for days. I start to feel like I should be doing more or capturing more. It’s a process for me to recognize that it’s healthy to just be and experience without documenting or creating. And then to pick up the camera when the moment is right or inspiration strikes!

Most rewarding part of being a photographer?

The most rewarding part of being a photographer is when an individual shares that my art has caused them to feel. Evoking emotion, providing a sense of hope or peace or vision all provide such value to my work. Each time someone purchases a print, affirms my art with words, shares my art with others, it provides a sense of affirmation that I am offering a visual gift to the world. Ultimately I hope to help others see and embrace gratitude for the beauty around them.