Goin' Local with My Personal Work

As a photographer, you could drop me just about anywhere and I could start photographing something that catches my interest. This is a symptom of my obsession to share what I see with anyone willing to look. My personal agenda or intention is moving viewers to generate change, recycle, start a dream, take a walk, mentor, or whatever moves them. I try to separate my ego from the image making. My most recent personal project photographing Florida's native lands is no exception. I grew up just a few miles east of the Everglades, but never truly understood the significance of her ecosystem until I began to photograph the omnipotent landscape.  The history of Florida's development is imprinted on the Everglades and Scrub lands. Even the ancient Lake Okeechobee, with dams circling the perimeter,  is right in South Florida's backyard.

As a resident, I felt a responsibility to learn and understand the environment where I call home. As a photographer, I have a responsibility to share not only what I see and create with the camera, but contribute to the greater good. During my recent visit to Clyde Butcher's gallery and studio for a swamp walk, Clyde told me,"Sarah, the world is round." He reiterates the reciprocal nature of our universe. Feeling the cold water in the swamp really penetrated the significance of Florida's environment. Only 1% of the population visits Big Cypress. Big Cypress meets the Everglades in a space few have ever seen. The most significant photographic work I can produce is about the land I call home; for the gifts of living in this paradise, I use my passion of photography and nature to share of Florida's native ecosystems. I encourage other photographers to contribute to their communities by giving back with their talents and passions. Going Local is where the heart is...

Cypress Equivalence is now showing at the Elliot Museum's Florida Reflections exhibit until January 17th, 2010