My first Conservation Photography Project focused on the Bronx River in Tuckahoe, New York
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I love being in nature.  Maybe it is because I am an Earth sign (proud Taurus here!) or... Maybe it's because whenever I am in nature, I feel at peace and connected to something greater. In 2015, I learned about the mental health benefits nature naturally provides after my father passed away. I instinctually turned to nature to help work through some of my grief. Then, in 2016, I was compelled to pick up a camera to capture the sense of wonder I was feeling and the beauty I was seeing. 
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Shortly after I got serious with photography, I formed Westchester County Photography, a free membership group for all types of photographers. I believe the first outing that I planned for the group was to Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers, New York.  We also traveled to Barton Orchards in Poughquag, New York for a Sunflower Sunrise, visited Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, New York, and explored Untermyer Gardens Conservancy in Yonkers, New York. I worked with Westchester County in planning a private photography event at Playland Park. And, I even led a group of photographers through Letchworth Village in Thiells, New York, but my focus always fell back to nature and conservation work. I began leading  photography hikes for Westchester Land Trust in Bedford, New York, and worked with the naturalists at the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center in Garrison, New York on planning a couple of nature photography events and hikes down to the marsh.
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But then, during some year, maybe 2019, my daughter Sam was going to college and I decided to stop Westchester County Photography. I was also having a lot of issues with my legs at this time, and was no longer able to do all of the above, especially the walking.  That's a story for another time, but it was time to focus on me.
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This was around when I began to explore the genre of Conservation Photography. I *thankfully* listened on repeat to Jaymi Heimbuch's  podcast (no longer available) and began studying how I can do more with my own photography. 
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Now... here I am. It's pretty cool to reflect back and see the things I've accomplished, and all ways I have evolved over the years as a photographer.  Never did I ever say "I'm going to set out and be a conservation photographer". It all just unfolded naturally, like a peony in the spring.  

Currently, my goals are to use the skills I developed as a nature photographer to support conservation efforts right here in the lower Hudson Valley region, to develop resources as a conservation photographer for the public and other photographers, and to those who view my photography, I hope you experience or feel a sense of awe and responsibility towards Earth.

Respect Your Mother!