An internationally collected, award-winning conservation photographer Phoenix is the recipient of two Artist-In-Residence programs - Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Olive Stack Gallery in Ireland, two public art grants, nine public art awards, and many other prestigious art awards. The featured artist for the first Endangered Exhibit – United Kingdom, her works have been honored in numerous juried exhibits, showcased in 20 solo exhibits, and featured in magazines and calendars worldwide. Professionally Phoenix is in her sixth year serving as president of the National League of American Pen Women, Fort Lauderdale Branch. She is a principal in the Innovative Public Art Group and was appointed to the Public Art and Placement Advisory Board for the City of Fort Lauderdale. A native Miamian, Phoenix lives and works in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and calls The Everglades her studio.

“My approach to photography and life is grounded in my philosophical belief that we are all one, we are all interconnected.”

Artist Statement

It has been said that the camera reflects both ways. As an artist, every vision I capture through my camera’s lens reflects my heart being touched by the soul of wild places and their inhabitants. Every time I go out to photograph nature I really find myself going within. I love the sacred opportunity to commune with the divine, transcendent essence of nature. For me, the extraordinary beauty of nature and wilderness is a wonder. Attempting to fix them in time is my passion; photography is my art.

Though my subjects differ widely – from owls, egrets, and flamingos to sacred trees and forests to the moon over marshes and the Milky Way over national parks to dramatic sunrises and sunsets to delicate flowers – my photographs all carry my signature style that inspires peace and serenity featuring subjects that are either endangered or threatened. Known for my painterly approach to photography, my great sense of oneness with the natural world, and my understanding of composition, light, and timing comes through. More than a beautiful piece of fine art photography, with each of my pieces it’s always my intent to raise awareness of endangered and threatened species and habitats that we stand to lose in the natural world if we are not careful. I’m honored that so many collectors tell me they feel as if they are right there with me while I’m taking the photograph when viewing my artwork.

“Ultimately in protecting the world's nature and wildlife, the environment, we are really protecting the family of humanity.”

The seeds of being a nature photographer (and primarily a landscape conservation photographer) were first planted as a child on family vacations to national parks like Yosemite and the Everglades. Although my father never handed me a camera, I stood right next to him as he magically captured each vista. This love of nature and photography was nurtured with a steady diet of watching nature programs on television and reading National Geographic Magazine. In retrospect, I believe these early experiences helped shape my art of seeing and passion for protecting nature.

I’ve been asked why habitat conservation is important and often the subject of my fine art photography. When natural environments are disturbed, usually by human destruction in addition to weather conditions, keystone species are often adversely affected through the loss of habitat which also impacts their food sources which may then impact their reproduction and the health of their species. This creates a domino effect that ultimately affects many other species in the habitat. Some species’ numbers will increase dramatically and in turn affect the survival of other species. In essence, the environment is the foundation that allows all others in a particular habitat to flourish in balance - or not - with each other – flora and fauna.

See more of Phoenix’s work and get in touch with her, by clicking on the links below:

Website: http://www.photographsbyphoenix.com/

Facebook: @Phoenix SpiritDiva

Instagram: @PhoenixSpiritDiva

Twitter: @SpiritDiva

LinkedIn: Phoenix SpiritDiva

Email: info@photographsbyphoenix.com