Bio

Kirsten Hines is a Coconut Grove-based author, photographer and conservationist. Anchored by her master’s degree in biology and background as an environmental educator, her writing and photography highlight nature and wildlife around the world, as well as closer to home where, among other conservation work, she aims to inspire the re-greening of South Florida’s urban corridor.

Kirsten’s photography illustrates her co-authored books Attracting Birds to South Florida Gardens (2015 Florida Book Awards gold medal, Home & Garden), Birds of Fairchild (2015 Florida Book Awards gold medal, Coffee Table Book), and Biscayne National Park. She is also co-author of the books Key Biscayne (2015 Florida Book Awards gold medal, Florida Adult Non-fiction) and Dry Tortugas National Park. Her photography has been featured in other sources, including Shutterbug, Expressions, Audubon, and various national and international nature photography showcases, such as that hosted by the North American Nature Photography Association. She has presented solo photography exhibitions at multiple venues in South Florida, including at the Frost Museum of Science, Biscayne National Park, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the FRANK Gallery in Pembroke Pines, and the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center in Naples. Additionally, her work has been part of the public art programs at the cities of Hollywood, Homestead and Coral Springs. She has participated in more than 50 juried group exhibitions and art festivals, locally, nationally and internationally. She lectures on photography, leads workshops and has judged photography competitions. Her work can be seen on her website at www.KirstenNatureTravel.com

Artist Statement

I have always been inspired by nature. The plants and animals in my childhood yard in the Philippines hosted many an adventure, and led me to a master’s degree in biology. But somehow important issues, stories and even the wildlife I so adored lost their magic when defined by columns of scientific numbers. I now strive to convey environmental issues and stories through my writing and photography, without sacrificing the magic. I seek to provide an intimate perspective on nature from around the world, reflecting wildlife, their behaviors, and habitats both in an unaltered documentary-style and in a more interpretive abstract style achieved in-camera to convey the emotional experience. I minimize post-processing and avoid digital manipulation both in an attempt to stay as true to the moment as possible and because nature is impressive without human intervention. With my photography and writing, I aim to lure viewers more deeply into the natural world than they might venture on their own. I aim to reflect nature and inspire conservation.