“Jennybear” Stevens
On my 14th birthday my parents gave me a brand new Eastman Kodak Brownie. Though these were humble cameras with no aperture control or focusing abilities, amounting to essentially little more than cardboard boxes with a simple meniscus lens, they made photography accessible to everyone. As my first camera, I used it for the rest of my childhood, mainly taking photos of friends and family.
The Brownie ignited my love of photography, and throughout my life and travels I've continued developing my knowledge and skill, focusing on landscapes and the natural world.
After retiring in 2003, I travelled by icebreaker through the Northwest Passage, and was encouraged by the ship's photographer to pursue professional wildlife photography. I took several workshops with him, and found my niche.
Wildlife photography is my calling, and thrills me continuously. I am at peace in the wilderness and a special space in my heart is reserved for bears.