Bio:

Professional Wildlife, Nature and Landscape photographer, Kristen Westlake, is co-founder of COPA (Coalition of Photographic Arts) and a member of NANPA(North American Nature Photographer’s Association). Westlake’s photography is featured in many publications throughout the United States, including Birder’s World, My Midwest Magazine, At the Lake, Lake and Country, and many more. She has been featured on PBS television’s “Outdoor Wisconsin” and “Six Degrees”. Westlake specializes in Limited Edition fine art canvas prints and open edition fine art luster prints of her work. Kristen’s work is for sale in fine art galleries and in her own online nature photography gallery. She travels extensively throughout the United States by car and on foot to become part of the environment that she so richly “captures” .

Kristen Westlake grew up in rural Wisconsin. A highly energized youngster, she delighted in adventure, running, roaming, and stopping to watch wild animals for hours. Her childhood passions transcended into her adult life. Combining Kristen the athlete, nature photographer, adventurer, outdoors woman, entrepreneur, and lover of life, she inspires others to live their dreams simply by living her own.

Mission Statement:

Absorbed in nature for hours, I don’t take pictures I make them. Taking implies the hurried feeling of rushing in and gathering up something that is not mine. Making is co-creating with my surroundings, spending the time to get to know the land and Her creatures, and experiencing first hand the dance of life, by dancing with it. My photographs are simply the result of my experiences and surroundings.

Photographing nature is an adventure that requires both physical and mental stamina and results in spiritual growth. My intention is to communicate the voice of nature through my photography. The simplicity that allows one to hear his or her inner voice happens in nature, away from the chaos of everyday pressures, labels, expectations, and deadlines. The greatest gift that I can give to others, through my photography, is that same gift that nature has given to me; inspiration, wisdom, experience, the ability to hear nature’s voice as well as my own inner voice.

I realized that in order to follow my dreams I had to stop just dreaming them and start living them. Someday never comes, the time is now. Keep dreaming and then do the dream to make it real. The road will reveal itself along your journey.

Recent Bio / Mission from the G2 Gallery in Venice, CA

About Kristen Westlake

Kristen Westlake became involved with photography as a direct result of her intimate connection to her subject matter. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, Kristen spent her childhood days immersed in the natural world, as an adult she recognizes how fundamental it is to humans and to her as an individual artist. Out in the field, Kristen waits patiently for just the right shot, in which she connects with an animal in perfect communion, in the instant of a clicking shutter.

Emerging II is the G2 Gallery’s second annual exhibition of images by early career photographers working with the subjects of nature, wildlife, and landscape. Emerging II is a juried exhibition that expresses G2’s environmental mission; the selected artists have proven their commitment to conservation through their artistic and personal choices.