"Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past." —Berenice Abbott

I've been fascinated by the work of Berenice Abbott since studying her work at Boise State University. Her collection titled Changing New York was a portrait of the changed and changing city she loved. Although, she didn't consider herself an artist. This was "straight photography." She wasn't caught up in the sentimentality of what she was photographing. She simply documented her subjects (architecture, culture, the city) as they were, no frills.

The Artistic View

This is where we differ. While my goal is to follow in Abbott's footsteps by photographing Idaho, documenting it as it is now—creating a snapshot in time—I am very much sentimental. I look for those angles that create a story. A story of the present. A story of the past.

For instance, the Boise Train Depot is one of the most photographed locations in the state. Instead of shooting it as others have—recognizable, distinct—I chose to look for a different angle. One that would tell a story of a quieter time. A time without distractions. I found that story, seen through the changing leaves of the Autumn season, cast in a beautiful golden light from behind and across the tracks.

These are the types of photographs I plan to capture as I travel the state over the next year. Each region has a story to tell and I'm making it my mission to find that story through photography.

Where I Began

My husband, Steve, has a job that takes him all over the state of Idaho and I often join him on his travels. This has given me a great opportunity to visit out-of-the-way towns and discover their unique attributes as I walk the small, sometimes gravel, streets with my camera. I've spent the last seven years collecting photographs of the places I've visited, and I began to notice a theme... this was Idaho... a moment in time. And thus began my passion for this project.

The Next Step

In order to do this project justice, I knew I needed to upgrade my gear. I had been using my standard 18-55mm and 50mm prime lenses, but I just wasn't getting the sharp, crisp images that I craved. Yes, an upgrade to the professional grade lenses (14-24mm 2.8 wide angle and the 24-70mm 2.8 mid-range zoom) was in order. These lenses boast crisp images wide open at their full ranges. This is what I needed.

An opportunity arrived. An opportunity to apply for a grant. The Alexa Rose Foundation is a wonderful organization in the Treasure Valley that supports local artists, individuals rather than organizations. This was the opportunity I was waiting for.

I dug in. I researched everything and anything I could find about grant writing. I researched my project more. I spent days, weeks... researching. I remember learning about grant writing in my Professional Practices class in college, but that was almost two decades ago... gasp! I needed to brush up on the latest best practices. I was so nervous submitting my application, these were dream lenses, it seemed unattainable, but I'm so glad I pushed through because...

In August this year, I was notified that I had been awarded the full grant! No way! Guys, this is a dream come true! I have the ability now to capture wide angle crisp shots AND closer images to show sharp details. I can't express my appreciation to the Alexa Rose Foundation enough. This is an amazing opportunity as an artist and photographer.

What's Next? Photo Adventures, Of Course!

This next video features Roseberry, a quaint historic town hidden away in the West Central Mountains of Idaho—a sampling of the type of Photo Adventures we'll take you on...

So, if you're interested in photography or just want to follow along with this project, I invite you to join me over on YouTube! Also, see the full collection of photos as it grows over the next year over on my Idaho: A Moment in Time collection page.