Guardian

GuardianParts of the Earth: A Story of Longing and Wild Beauty What began as a sparkbeautiful girls with sticks and mossevolved into Parts of the Earth, a fine art photography collection featuring taxidermy wild animals. Over a year, I poured myself into this project, driven by a message I felt compelled to share. It was a roller coaster: early wins with award winning portraits like Refuge gave way to dry spells where animals were nowhere to be found. Prayer

Parts of the Earth: A Story of Longing and Wild Beauty

What began as a spark—beautiful girls with sticks and moss—evolved into “Parts of the Earth,” a fine art photography collection featuring taxidermy wild animals. Over a year, I poured myself into this project, driven by a message I felt compelled to share. It was a roller coaster: early wins with award-winning portraits like “Refuge” gave way to dry spells where animals were nowhere to be found. Prayer opened doors—a taxidermy collector, a lion shoot funded by chance—each step a testament to faith and persistence.

Shooting with a 4x5 Graflex was grueling: loading film holders, later developing over 150 sheets of film,  wrangling heavy taxidermy, and coaxing models into harmony. The Miami shoot, surrounded by hundreds of creatures in late summer, nearly broke me—until shade and support carried me through. The series came alive from 3 images to 21, culminating in an April exhibit where 70 people celebrated the work. Later, *Foundation* won Best in Show at the AE Backus Museum, a nod to my late father’s legacy.

“Parts of the Earth” is more than photos—it’s my longing for nature’s wild heart, gratitude for God’s creatures, and a belief we’re all wonderfully made. Each frame echoes a journey of struggle, awe, and purpose—a glimpse of something greater.