A Passion for Nature By Anna DeStefano
I
Horace Hamilton
“I believe the world is incomprehensively beautiful— an endless prospect of magic and wonder.” ~ Ansel Adams
stumbled across Georgia Nature Photographers Association (GNPA) several years ago, while searching online for somewhere new to photograph. GNPA became my home and its members my “people” when I found myself welcomed, encouraged and inspired by creative spirits equally passionate about cherishing our natural world. As we’ve captured nature’s bounty together, these folks have become integral to the evolution of my artistic voice—inspiring me to spend the last few years serving in various GNPA volunteer, leadership and board positions, hoping to make a similar impact on others. I’m asked a lot how a novelist like me began walking the visual storytelling path of a photographer… I guess I don’t see the difference. Not deep down. I share what I love with words. I illustrate what’s in my heart through photographs. Lately, I find myself doing a bit of both at the same time, through articles such as this one. But it’s all about wanting you to experience the magic I do as I walk this world. And there’s so much about GNPA’s members that feeds into that positive, uplifting vision.
Jenny Burdette Photography
Take Jenny Burdette, for example. We photograph all over the southeast together. A little like Thelma and Louise, minus the unfortunate cliff-hanger at the end of each trip. She’s an award-winning bird photographer. One of the best I know. But for GNPA’s conservation committee, she’s become a liaison for Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. She’s donated landscape and event images to them for years, as well as now doing commissioned state park shoots for the Department of Natural Resources. Yet despite her busy schedule, last fall she jumped at the chance to facilitate GNPA photographers donating over 700 state park images to Friends, for use in their print and online marketing. Horace Hamilton is someone we should all be lucky enough to meet and photograph with. He’s a former GNPA president and helped found my home chapter in Gwinnett, which has become GNPA’s largest. His work is phenomenal. His love for nature is unparalleled. He’s a soughtafter judge for juried exhibits and competitions, and he regularly conducts training classes and presentations—his favorites are when he shares his passion for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But it’s in the field where I see Horace make his greatest impact. I’ve never encountered a more generous, patient, knowledgeable mentor who’ll stop what he’s doing for however long it takes to help someone puzzle through and improve a shot.
Stewart Woodard
Mary Jo Cox, like the rest of us, craves being outdoors photographing
Anna DeStefano lives in Clarkesville, GA, with her husband of over thirty years. She’s the nationally best-selling author of twenty-seven southern-set novels. An award-winning fine-art photographer, she’s roamed North Georgia and beyond for years, eager to share nature’s healing magic through her Affirmation Photography™. Explore Anna’s Heart Open blog and uplifting images at www.affirmationphotography.com. View pieces from her latest collections at Timpson Creek Gallery in Clayton, GA.
18 GML - April 2021
