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My love of photography began when I was very young. I pored over albums of photos my mother had taken in her youth. As I was growing up, she continued to make photos of our family and of daily life. I admired how she gave ordinary scenes something extra. She was creative. She had an eye. For my tenth birthday, my mother gave me a Brownie camera.
My early inspirations were the great black & white photographers of the 20th century, whose work often appeared on the back page of Life Magazine. I thought National Geographic photographers had the most glamorous job in the world. I was mesmerized by the eyes of Steve McCurry’s Afghan refugee girl on the June 1985 cover. I still have that issue.
An experience I had when I was fresh out of college was instrumental in my wanting to be a serious photographer. I spent six months in pre-revolutionary Iran, which I documented with a Kodak Instamatic. The connections I made with Iranians and their ancient land were exhilarating, and I wanted more.
At every opportunity over the years I have studied photography, the technique and the art of it. I started out shooting film and stood for hours in the darkroom; now I shoot digital and sit down when I edit. I have taken classes and workshops and sought out mentors who challenged and encouraged me. I continue to look for learning experiences that increase my clarity of who I am as a photographer and as a human. I photograph to give voice to my journey through life. I want my work to become a memorable part of the viewer’s own experience.
Judy
About Me
I’m a storyteller. A good story uncovers the unseen and the unnoticed and makes it seen and noticed. It’s a shared human experience, enriching both the teller and the receiver.
I’m a wanderer. Montana is now my home, but I’ve lived in many places, taken numerous road trips, and travelled to other continents. I photograph what’s around the world and around the corner. Going out with my camera sharpens my powers of observation and fills my world with peace and calm.
My approach is instinctual and my subjects diverse. I respond to the connections I feel with the world around me, to the land and those who inhabit it. I photograph what grabs my emotions and captures my imagination. I like encountering the unexpected. I often lean into the abstract and intimate. I like open spaces, history and decay, edginess and whimsy.