Workshopping with a Wolfe

Me and Art Wolfe at his gallery in Seattle (photo by Karen Lanzendorfer)

Last year I had the distinct pleasure of meeting one of my favorite nature photographers, Art Wolfe, while visiting his gallery in Seattle. He was gracious enough to stop and talk with me and my relatives, and more than willing to accommodate a photo. 

Well, one year later I have the distinct pleasure of attending one of Art's photo workshops in the Olympic Peninsula. Art grew up in Seattle and has always considered the Peninsula his backyard and will be taking us to some of his favorite spots in Olympic National Park.

Considering photography has always been a solo sport for me, working with Art and another 20 people should be a lot of fun. I also hope to learn a thing or two from a world renowned master photographer. 

I'm Opening My Doors

Since moving to a larger studio on the 4th floor of the Park Trades Center last year, I'm finally opening my doors to the public. On display will be some new works printed really large, including the portrait above. So if you're in Kalamazoo this Friday, hopping around for the biggest Art Hop of the year, stop on by and pay me a visit. The art and I would love to see you!

The Colony Farm Orchard - Back in the News

Not only has it been a while since I last posted, it's been a really, really long while since I last posted about the controversy surrounding development of the Colony Farm Orchard in Kalamazoo. 

This is an issue that became centrally important to me 5 years ago because I was spending a ton of hours photographing wildlife in the Orchard and was concerned that WMU and legislators were looking to absolve the deed restrictions that were protecting the Orchard from any significant development or public disturbance. It was one of Kalamazoo's most unique wild spaces.

Well, the Orchard is back in the news again because WMU is very close to actually breaking ground on the property and beginning their expansion of the BTR Park. But their developments have not gone unnoticed. Protestors, organized in large part by the Kalamazoo Peace Center, marched outside the gates of the Orchard on April 3rd, 2015 to voice their opposition to any future development. You can read the Mlive article by clicking HERE.

My response to the controversy five years ago was the creation of a 20 minute documentary about the Orchard and WMU's plans to develop it. I recommend it as an educational primer for the issue. Given where the video leaves off, it comes as no surprise that we're now facing WMU's subsequent plans to finally move ahead with expansion. They're pretty much right on schedule. The question is what happens next?

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge

Northern Harriers doing their aerial acrobatics over the wetlands at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.