Member Spotlight 2023

Congratulations to Carole Allen

It’s always a great accomplishment as a photographer to have your photo published, it is a greater achievement to make front cover of the magazine. Carole did both, she made the front cover of Hardware Retailing and some of her photos were used inside the magazine. Congratulations Carole you are an outstanding photographer!!!
​You can check it out here.


2023 DNR Photo Contest

Outstanding work Mary Moore
Mary won 3rd place in the Natural Resources Category in the DNR Photo Contest. This is a well deserved award. Mary is an excellent photographer.


Focus Photography Exhibition 2023

Congratulations to Renee Townsend, she took second place in the Manchester Focus show. This is a portrait of her daughter, done in an abstract art form. Renee thought luck had something to do with getting a ribbon, but she received the ribbon for her talent!!!


Mrs. Ida

Congratulations to Karen Mathis for stepping out of your comfort zone and pushing yourself to do a style that you normally don’t do. 

​The Gallery at the Library (Scenic Regional in Hermann) Portraiture exhibit 
Portrait photography intimidates me, so normally I wouldn’t have even considered submitting a photo for a portrait exhibit.  Since Mrs. Ida was already framed up from being at the Framations exhibit and the library’s call for entry said to present your personal interpretation of the theme, so I figured, “why not, I’m not out anything if they decline it”.  It was nice to get the acceptance email for a specific category that I don’t normally do. (I’m still intimidated by portrait photography though!)


​”Just Keep Swimming”

Congratulations Karen Mathis. ​

I took a chance on entering Manchester Arts’ all-media Pop! art exhibit. I’d never tried anything in the Pop Art genre before, but decided to use this call for entries as an opportunity to attempt to expand my horizons. I must have done okay because my entry was juried into the exhibit and is currently on display in the courtroom at the Manchester Courts building until June 18th, along with works from 12 other artists (photographs, paintings, and drawings). There were 20+ artists who had submitted entries.
The image is actually four separate photographs of different colored gummy fish combined into a collage in Lightroom. It’s not matted, just all printed on one sheet to look like poster art.
I tried to include several of the the characteristics of Pop Art (bright colors, dark lines, the incorporation of a recognizable subject, particularly from consumer goods, repetitive images, and a bit of humor).


Congratulations Mary Moore

Mary had a paid photo of a hummingbird published in the April issue of, Nature Friend magazine.


The Rectrix 
A Newsletter of the Missouri River Bird Observatory

Two of our members had their photographs published in The Rectrix, it is a Newsletter of the Missouri River Bird Observatory. Congratulations to Mary Moore and Scott Villmer.


The Gallery at the Library

Several of our members have photos in, “Black and White and Eight Shades of Gray”. This is the newest exhibit at The Gallery at the Library, featuring more than 90 black and white photographs. The photographs will be on display at Scenic Reginal Library in Herman Missouri until May 20, 2023. All photographs are for sale.

Scott Villmer  Mary Moore
 Bill and Molly Coatney
Andrea Moore
William Field Jim Descher

​Mary Moore Photo Published!

This February 2023 issue Nature Friend Magazine.
Mary said that she is fortunate to see wildlife in her yard on a daily basis. Often times she only has
to step outside of her house to photograph deer and other critters passing through.  On this particular
day several inches of fresh snow had fallen and was outside with her camera enjoying the beautiful
scenery.  She spotted the doe and her yearling at the edge of the wood line and was able to move in a 
little closer to take their picture without scaring them off.  CONGRATULATIONS MARY!

Mary Moore has two photos accepted into the
Black and White and 8 Shades of Gray Exhibit!


Congratulations Mary!

Mary Moore “Don’t Let Go” Mary Moore “Fearless Challenger”

Scott Villmer’s “Lotus Petal” accepted in the 
Black and White and Eight Shades of Gray Exhibit!

This is such a beautiful serene photograph with a thin layer of fog in the background.
Scott’s use of negative space is quite effective, resulting in a fine art style image.
CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT!

Bill and Molly Coatney accepted into the
Black and White and Eight Shades of Gray Exhibit!

Their seven photos will be displayed in the Scenic Regional Hermann Library gallery beginning with the free reception between 6pm to 8pm on March 3, 2023.  The library is located at 123-A Bavarian Hills Plaza, in Hermann, Missouri.  CONGRATULATIONS BILL AND MOLLY!

Bill Coatney

Molly Coatney


Mary Moore’s Majestic Bull Elk Photo On The Cover Of Estes Park News

January 2023

“It was bitterly cold that day even though the sun was shining. The wind was blowing hard rearranging  the snow drifts when
I spotted a small herd of elk resting peacefully in the meadow.  I crept up to a small cluster of trees so I could get a better view
of the elk. The trees provided a little shelter from the wind and gave me something to lean against for stability since
I was not carrying a tripod.  I could see that a few of the bulls were keeping an eye on me, but they made no effort to get
up or move from their resting place.  One particular bull looked so peaceful and content and he was nicely lit up in the
sunshine.  So I dialed down my exposure compensation due to the brightness from the snow and sunshine and proceeded to
take some photos.  When I finished, I crept back out the way I had come and continued on my way.”


Karen Mathis Juried Into Manchester Recreation Small Works Exhibition

January 2023

Scott Villmer Photograph Shines High

January 2023

Scott Villmer winner of 2022 “Golden Ambassador’s” award for all of his hard work and generosity not only to our club he continues spreading his talent throughout the surrounding communities in multiple counties making a name for himself.  Now his work is being shown high in the sky on billboards advertising the Sweet Water Holler Band in four separate locations (Karsch Blvd/Maple Dr) Farmington, Mo. (Visible from the Applebee’s side), (32 & Woodland) Park Hills, Mo., (Hwy 32 1/2 mile south of Hwy61 Junction) Ste. Genevieve, Mo., (Hwy 51near Robinson Outdoors) Perryville, Mo
Wow, Wow, Wow! This is the greatest! We are so proud of Scott and he still works a full-time job!  I don’t think we have to worry about him being bored sitting home when he does.  He truly is our golden child 🙂 


Karen Mathis

Juried Into Framations Beyond The Lens 2023

Karen Mathis was one among many talented artists that submitted photographs in “Framations” 17th annual “Behind the Lens” photographic competition held on main street of St Charles, Mo.  To be juried into the gallery showing and judging is not an easy task, and many do not make it.  We are so happy for Karen with these strong entries, and we hope she will do well.   Congratulations Karen, a job well done!! We are very proud!
Below are her two entries and lovely synopsis of how and why she took the photos.

​My husband and I were on a fall fly fishing trip to Bennett Spring State Park.  I was keeping an eye on the forecast while we were there and when I heard there was fog in the forecast I told him to count me out of morning fishing, that I would be out fishing for fog photos with my camera.  On the second morning of walking the misty stream bank, I happened upon these two anglers in the stream with one giving guidance to the other.

Ms. Ida

Sweetgrass basket making is a tradition that has been passed through the generations in the Lowcountry of the southeast.  The tradition came to South Carolina in the 17th century by way of West African slaves.  They are made with dried sweetgrass, palmetto fronds, and pine needles.  It is said that these baskets are so tightly woven that they can hold water.  While my friend was selecting a basket to buy, I spoke with and photographed Ms. Ida as she was making a basket on the back porch of the Angel Oak Tree visitor building.