A black frogfish (or black anglerfish in Australia) – Kurnell, NSW, Australia

Winner in animal portraits category

Photograph: Nicolas and Léna Remy/World Nature Photography awards

Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder.

But it takes a special “I” to notice it, capture it and share it with the world for posterity.

That, in a nutshell, has been the role of the photographer for decades, which has been challenged since the invention of the smartphone.

But for those truly in love with purposefully recording fleeting moments, the passion for photography has not subsided.

For Waverly’s Lisa Ellingworth, the passage of time has only motivated her love for photography more than she ever imagined.

She found that passion for creativity later in life.

In a sense, discovering it – and then acting on it with determination and dedication–came as a surprise for her.

In fact, she may have had it on the inside for many years, but didn’t have the headspace to dive into it, let alone pursue it.

When it eventually surfaced about a couple of years ago, and prodded her to focus on it, and then embrace it, Lisa knew that photography was her thing.

By that time, she and her husband, Jon, the pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, had raised their three daughters and that new chapter in life may have given her the extra impetus she needed to explore her creativity.

Lisa’s story is uplifting as it shows how one can find meaning in passionate pursuits at any stage of life and work on developing their gifts.

For most of her career, Lisa had worked in floral design, working in a dozen flower shops over the past 30 years.

She first started in flower delivery as a high school student, working through a co-op class at what was then Anthony’s Biet Shyben on Main Street in her hometown of Morton, Illinois, a town comparable to Waverly in its midwestern feel and size.

“I needed a job and that lady needed help and she hired me and I walked to school from the flower shop.”

Lisa graduated from Morton High School in 1986, and a month later, with the money from her flower delivery job, she bought an orange 1972 Volkswagen Beetle.

“I loved the color,” she said.

She loved working with flowers, so in 1989 she enrolled at the American Floral Arts School in Chicago to learn more about how to process fresh flowers and how to arrange them in compelling designs.

In between classes, Lisa worked at flower shops in the area, and for two years, even ran her own business out of her house called, “As you like it.”

She mainly did flower arrangements for weddings, Christmas and home decorations, but in 1998 when her husband, Jon, wanted to go to seminary school, she put her business on hold, and the family headed to Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, so Jon could become an ordained pastor.

Twenty-four years later, in the summer of 2022, Lisa discovered the photography program at Hawkeye Community College and eventually returned to school, but with a new mission: to glean more information about photography.

“I never had any intention of graduating,” she said.

But when one of her professors, Doug Benton, advised her to complete the program because the courses are sequenced and therefore she would learn a lot, she listened.

So she enrolled full time in the fall of 2022, and her schooling in the art of photography began.

Reflecting on her decision, just as she is about to deliver the commencement address at her graduation in May, as one of the two commencement speakers, Lisa said that in making it and in becoming a non traditional student, she looked up to her mother, Shelby, as inspiration. Shelby graduated from nursing school the same year Lisa graduated from high school, achieving a lifelong dream.

That connection is more visible to Lisa in retrospect, as at the time she didn’t realize the challenges her mother had overcome to return to school after a long hiatus.

Why photography?

About eight months prior to enrolling at Hawkeye, Lisa had started taking online photography classes from an Iowa photographer, Mark Stoltenberg.

“I started learning a lot and I wanted to learn more,” she said.

In the process, she gained enough confidence to enter a few contests.

Affirmation came first from the Hawkeye Student Art Show last spring. For it, she submitted an image called “Moon in Progress”, a timelapse of the moon she had taken on Feb. 5, 2023 in Ames, where she had gone to visit her oldest daughter, Ada.

“I just knew when the moon rose and there was no cloud cover, it was the perfect conditions,” she said.

Lisa set up her tripod and camera and took shots every 90 seconds of the full moon as it rose. Then she blended the images in Photoshop.

The outcome of that work, which she called “Moon in Progress,” placed second in the show, and was purchased by the school, quite the honor.

“Moon in Progress” also caught the eye of the judges at the Iowa State Fair in August, where it placed second in a category called “Anything Goes.”

Lisa then entered the Iconic Iowa photography contest hosted by PBS, which is part of the Iconic America series.

At the Waverly Library, where the local pictures were displayed in August, another image Lisa had taken, this one of a barn by the Waverly Airport, was voted the most iconic. It was also picked as cover of the book, “Iconic Iowa Snapshots by Iowans,” which will be used as a fundraiser for Iowa PBS station.

Another image she took that summer, this one of Waverly Cruise Night, ended up as the cover of the Waverly Chamber of Commerce Visitors Guide. The popular event in the summer draws classic car lovers up and down Bremer Avenue for good times every fourth Thursday of the summer months.

“My intention was to capture the essence of the car cruise,” she said.

Meanwhile, all these successes have boosted Lisa’s confidence, and two weeks ago, she registered her own business called Wandering Ivy, with a tagline, “The go-to photographer who comes to you.”

The name comes from what photographers like to do, i.e. “wander” and the word Ivy is a reference to a nickname her old friends know her by. She will focus on portraiture and fine art photography.

“I had affirmation, what I was loving to do was being affirmed by others,” she said. “I have no hesitation about moving forward as a new business owner, I look forward to creating beautiful portraits of seniors and families.”

CHENNAI: Photography is a constantly evolving field, and now, Iris Photography – capturing images of a person’s eye – is becoming popular. To introduce this special aspect of photography to the people of Chennai, Madras Sound Production and Anivis Fokazing are organising India’s first-ever iris photography workshop in the city. “Iris photography focuses on capturing the intricate beauty of the human eye, blending art and science. It’s gaining global popularity for its uniqueness. This workshop signifies a major step in showcasing this art form in India. As the saying goes, ‘The eyes are the window to the soul.’ So, what better way to capture and frame the essence of the person who cares for you the most,” explains Rahul, founder of Madras Sound Production.

When you capture a person’s eye, each one is unique. “A normal eye may appear black from the outside, but with different cameras and micro lenses, we reveal intricate details inside. It’s truly fascinating to see the complexity of our iris up close. We’ve previously held two workshops in Chennai, and the response was fantastic. That’s why we’re excited to host the third ‘Iris Artistry’ workshop on March 31 at The Bistrograph in Adyar,” he adds.

Sharing details about the one-day workshop, Rahul says, “Participants can expect to see stunning images that highlight the intricate details and vibrant colours of the human iris, captured by talented photographers. The workshop will include interactive sessions providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the art and techniques of iris photography. While iris photography exists in some foreign countries, they rely on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and graphics, resulting in heavily edited outputs that depict eyes differently. However, here, we showcase the eyes in their natural state.”

After the Chennai workshop, the team plans to conduct pan-India workshops to introduce more people to this unique form of photography. “In India, we are exploring this for the first time. It’s not an easy task, photographers require a lot of practice for this,” explains Rahul. To register for the workshop, contact: 7397699045

In a flip phone video from 2007, when I was four, I am heard in the background saying, “Can I take a picture? Can I take a picture?” Little did everyone know, that was the beginning of the end!

With that being said, as a life-long amateur photographer and lover of 2000’s pop culture, I have to give props to some of my favorite photographers from that era! 

David LaChapelle

LaChapelle’s pop-surrealistic work pushes social boundaries, radiating vibrancy and glamor. His artistry is unparalleled, truly setting him apart in the industry. No one does it quite at the level LaChapelle does. The first time I saw LaChapelle’s work, I was captivated by his conceptual imagery and instantly became a fan of his celebrity portraits.

Phil Knott

Widely recognized for his authentic portraits of musicians, Knott’s work is not only striking but deeply rich and raw, capturing the true essence of his subjects. His images almost offer a glimpse into the souls of those he photographs.

Alison Jackson

Jackson is renowned for her iconic lookalike photographs of celebrities. She skillfully manipulates her subjects into scenarios that often deceive the public, creating images that appear startlingly real due to their paparazzi or documentary style. Her work delves into society’s fascination with celebrity culture.

Steven Klein

Klein’s work is often provocative and known for its theatrical, unique qualities that incorporate high fashion. Many of his shoots also feature elements of the macabre, ​such as the use of dark lighting or gruesome depictions. His daring approach to photography challenges conventions and norms.

Petra Collins

Not exactly a photographer from the 2000’s, but rather the 2010s, much of Collins’ work is heavily influenced by nostalgia, coming of age and the Y2K aesthetic. Her pastel, dreamlike, fantasy style is reminiscent of “Girl Culture” by Lauren Greenfield (another personal favorite of mine) or a Sofia Coppola film. Instead of shooting digitally, Collins shoots in 35mm film. Her photographs are very personal and intimate, contributing to current-day pop culture.

Markus Klinko

Klinko is well-known for defining 2000’s pop culture with many of his images. He uses various techniques and a wide range of aesthetics, depending on his subject, making him very adaptable. Like many of the artists on this list, his portfolio is extremely high-profile and culturally significant.

Mark Hunter “The Cobrasnake”

Ruling and encapsulating the indie sleaze party scene as one of the most popular nightlife photographers in the 2000’s, Hunter’s photos are bold and spontaneous. They exude a carefree, lively energy that makes you, as a viewer, feel like you’re in the moment too.

I have been a fan of Hunter for several years, and his book, “The Cobrasnake: Y2Ks Archive,” was my first photography book. I purchased it the second it hit shelves.

Martin Schoeller 

An image from Schoeller is almost immediately recognizable due to his distinctive close-up style and level of sharpness. This “in your face” nature of his work reveals every physical feature and innermost emotion of his subjects. Schoeller’s photographs are deeply human and truly genuine.

Additional favorite photographers: Annie Leibovitz, Mark Seliger, Terrence O’Connor, William Eggleston, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Robert Sebree.