Congratulations to Anne Dignam for becoming our September 2023 Photography Virtual Artist in Residence. The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist (or photographer) who has submitted four or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest and has been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.

Artist Statement

I grew up on Long Island, New York, and worked for the Half Hollow Hills School District where I taught Physical Education from 1974-1988. During my last 16 years, I served as the District Director of Athletics, retiring in 2004 and currently living in Delray Beach, Florida.

Since I was a child, I loved animals and wildlife. If there were a pet or an animal in need, I would bring it home and with the help of my parents, try to nurture the animal back to health. The unconditional love given by animals attracted me as I was fascinated by their behaviors and instincts. After retirement, I was blessed to have the time to travel, develop my photographic artistic passion, and capture images of wildlife in their natural habitat. The quest to interact with wildlife has brought me to the Colorado Rockies, Canada (Canadian Rockies and Churchill), Alaska, Florida Wetlands, and Africa (Tanzania and Botswana). My passion has been photographing polar bears, grizzly bears, black bears, cheetahs, cougars, lions, leopards, elk, whales, sea lions, dolphins, and many other animals. I often photograph birds in flight with my favorite being birds of prey.

Since pursuing my photographic passion, I have been fortunate to receive recognition, which includes:

• Black and White Magazine: Smartphone Contest Winner December 2022

• Our Magnificent Planet: Three Single Images - “Celebrations from Lens Work”, 2021

• International Color Awards: Multiple Honorable Mentions and Nominations

• International Black and White Spider Awards: Multiple Honorable Mentions and Nominations

• Motif International Collective: Juried On-Line Shows. Multiple Top Tier Finishes

• Fort Lauderdale Women’s Club: “Women Behind the Lens: Capturing Visions” Photography Exhibition, 2022

• Pennsylvania Center for Photography: Transformations Exhibit, 2021

• Hunt’s Photo Spring Gallery Contest: 2021

• Coastal Fine Art Photography Exhibit: 2021

• Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Photography Contest, FL, 2018

• As I see It Photography Competition, Coral Gables, FL, 3rd Place “On the Wild Side” Category 2021

• Mounts Botanical Garden Contest, Palm Beach County, FL 3d Place 2021

• Florida Camera Club Council Tri-Annual Contests: Multiple ribbon winners. 

Associations

• Co-Organizer of The Art of Photography International: Jack Wild Photographer and Founder

• The Art of Seeing - Irene Hill, Photographer and Founder

• Professional Photographers of America - Membership 

My Photography

I am beyond passionate when it comes to photography. While wildlife, seascapes, and landscapes have always excited me, in recent years I have found myself immersed in fine art, nature, abstracts, architecture, travel street photography, and graphic art. I try to see things from a different perspective and shoot many days per week, regardless of the genre. When it comes to wildlife though, I am always looking to tell a story, capture behavior, or evoke an emotion. I love capturing an animal in its natural setting and am patient when it comes to waiting for eye contact. 

Personal Message About Conservation

For me, it is important “to be a voice for the voiceless”. My heart breaks when I see the destruction of lands and forests so needed for the survival of animals in the wild. So much of our wildlife is living in constant threat due to a loss of habitat, poaching, cruelty, or sport. I continue to support those organizations that spread conservation awareness and encourage others to respect the lives of animals and wildlife that share our planet. I entered the ENDANGERED Fine Art and Photography Contest because I respect the intent of the organization. I do not actively try to sell my photographic prints, but if some of my work is appreciated and purchased by viewers, hopefully, the organization will be able to provide greater benefit to all those creatures in need. 

See more of Anna’s work and get in touch with her by clicking on the link below:

Website: https://annedignam.smugmug.com