GNPA - A Passion for Nature

Horace Hamilton

Jenny Burdette Photography

Stewart Woodard

A Passion for Nature

By Anna DeStefano

“I believe the world is incomprehensively beautiful— an endless prospect of magic and wonder.” ~ Ansel Adams

Istumbled 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. 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. 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.

Jenny Burdette Photography

more than just about anything else. Her specialty is bears and other large wildlife, and she’ll travel wherever to capture them. When GNPA needed a coordinator and guide for longer member trips to places like Glacier National Park, Bosque del Apache, Yellowstone, and Banff and Jasper National Parks in Canada, Mary Jo stepped in. She served as committee chair and later Vice President, so others could have the same experiences she has, far away from our own backyards. Stewart Woodard is one of the hardest working GNPA volunteers I know. And one of the gentlest, most caring souls I’ve encountered. Because of his lifelong love for nature and nature photography, his latest gift to our membership has been coordinating GNPA’s annual “Stand in Ansel Adams’ Footsteps” exhibit at the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning. This year over 130 black-and-white images are on public display through April 17th, juried into the exhibit by renowned photographer Charlotte Gibb—showcasing some of the truly remarkable work our members do. The generosity of these friends and mentors is only one of the reasons GNPA has become my creative touchstone. If your passion runs toward nature photography, make some time to experience for yourself the same community, encouragement and inspiration I’ve found.

And if you see a bunch of us out in the woods, roaming with excited grins on our faces, cameras at the ready, know you’re always welcome to join us. The more the merrier. Let’s experience the incomprehensive beauty of our world together!

Georgia Nature Photographers Association is dedicated to helping nature photographers of all skill levels grow in their craft and network with other outdoor photographers. Over 600 members participate in eight chapters throughout Georgia. Visitors are welcome at our monthly meetings. Members enjoy guided photography trips offered across the state, as well as larger trips and conferences organized several times a year. For more information, visit GNPA.org. Mary Jo Cox

Anna Destefano, Affirmation Photography