Awakening a Passion

I always knew deep down that I loved photography. It wasn't until I bought my current camera that I knew that I had potential. Currently I shoot with a Canon SX30IS digital camera.

I started using it as just a fancy "point and shoot." I took it to Mexico, the Alabama Gulf Coast, and then finally to the Rocky Mountains. My father, who as I mentioned is also a photographer, told me that I wasn't using my camera to its full potential. He said I needed to research how to use it in manual mode. Wow! What a difference that made. It is an awesome camera, but in manual mode it is almost as good a DSLR. I wouldn't be able to take the beautiful images I share without it.

Fast forward to 2012. My husband and I moved to Colorado in September of 2012 and I began taking more and more photos. My friends and family encouraged me to put them out there for the world to see. That is how Nature's Lens was born. I started and was only posting a few photos that I had edited with Paint and Windows Photo Viewer. The support was overwhelming.

 

I was so surprised at the reviews I was getting. I decided I needed to start looking into what the real photographers did. I researched local photographers and asked many questions about how to get the best shots. I spoke to a friend at work that has been taking lightning and landscape photos for a while and he suggested I look into Adobe Lightroom.

Lightroom was another "life-changer." The game changed. I started editing my photos the same way the professionals were doing it. 

My current mentor is Erik Stensland from Images of RMNP (www.imagesofrmnp.com) He gives advice on his website as well as in person at his gallery in Estes Park. He is very humble and I strive to be the same way. The photos I take are not about me. They are about capturing the moment forever so that, through the ages, all can enjoy. From an animal in its natural habitat to a beautiful sunset, capturing Earth's beauty is my goal. I encourage you to purchase a piece of art if it moves you. The thought of someone feeling what I feel when I shoot the photo is very rewarding. That means I have succeeded.

Thanks again for all your support. Continue to be on the lookout for more posts in the future.

From the mountains,

Savannah Donaldson
Nature's Lens Fine Art Photography