Interview with Photographer Nancy J. Locke (and giveaway!)
UPDATE: The winners of HOPE AND COMFORT FOR EVERY SEASON are Dino Rubio and Playground Monitor. Please send your physical addresses to contests(AT)knightagency.net. Thanks to everyone who commented. Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Nancy J. Locke's inspiring photographs are the perfect accompaniment to New York Times bestselling author Cecil Murphey's words in the recent release, HOPE AND COMFORT FOR EVERY SEASON (Harvest House, June 2010). Today, Nancy is stopping by to give some insight into the world of photography, sharing some images from her fabulous portfolio and giving away TWO books. Check the bottom of the post to find out how to win!TKA: What is HOPE AND COMFORT FOR EVERY SEASON about?
Nancy: We all have individual journeys in this life that include sparkling sunshine and dark storms. In HOPE AND COMFORT FOR EVERY SEASON, Cecil Murphey illuminates Ecclesiastes 3 and the fact that we should allow our emotions to experience life to the fullest. If we are dancing, we should dance joyfully, if we are crying, we should mourn and not hold back. This gift book embraces the emotions of life and encourages us to trust God and reach out for His guidance as we experience our journeys on this earth.
TKA: What elements of composition were you looking for in deciding what images would work best for HOPE AND COMFORT FOR EVERY SEASON?
Nancy: Having lived close to nature for eighteen years, the whispering leaves and soothing sound of the waves have become part of my spiritual connection with God. I see how much He cares for us through the gift of nature and I want others to experience the inspiration I am feeling when snapping photos and talking with God. The elements I look for are the ones God chooses for me to see when I have moments of enlightenment.
TKA: Why do you think photographs/art are just as inspiring and important to readers as the words on a page? How is the impact of imagery different from words?
Nancy: Photography encapsulates emotion. It’s an intimate connection that is shared with others. One glance at a photograph can speak volumes. The artist connects with his subject and his own soul, and the viewer connects with the artist and the emotions that he or she has experienced in the past and have been brought to light.
TKA: How did you get your start in photography?
Nancy: When in high school, I became co-editor of the high school newspaper which published in the small town newspaper. I spent much time with a camera and in the darkroom and loved it!
TKA: How long does it take you to get the perfect shot?
Nancy: Sometimes I’ll lift my camera over my head in the double-seated kayak and snap a photo of my husband who has been paddling me to the perfect shot along the lakeshore wilds, and when I arrive home I see how pale he looks. Other times the perfect shot lies seconds away. Knowing how the camera works and having the eye needed for composition are all it takes after reaching a location. Lighting is key too. I generally only snap photos in the early morning or evening hours.
TKA: What elements of composition were you looking for in deciding what images would work best for HOPE AND COMFORT FOR EVERY SEASON? Nancy: Having lived close to nature for eighteen years, the whispering leaves and soothing sound of the waves have become part of my spiritual connection with God. I see how much He cares for us through the gift of nature and I want others to experience the inspiration I am feeling when snapping photos and talking with God. The elements I look for are the ones God chooses for me to see when I have moments of enlightenment.
TKA: Why do you think photographs/art are just as inspiring and important to readers as the words on a page? How is the impact of imagery different from words?
Nancy: Photography encapsulates emotion. It’s an intimate connection that is shared with others. One glance at a photograph can speak volumes. The artist connects with his subject and his own soul, and the viewer connects with the artist and the emotions that he or she has experienced in the past and have been brought to light.
TKA: How did you get your start in photography?
Nancy: When in high school, I became co-editor of the high school newspaper which published in the small town newspaper. I spent much time with a camera and in the darkroom and loved it!TKA: How long does it take you to get the perfect shot?
Nancy: Sometimes I’ll lift my camera over my head in the double-seated kayak and snap a photo of my husband who has been paddling me to the perfect shot along the lakeshore wilds, and when I arrive home I see how pale he looks. Other times the perfect shot lies seconds away. Knowing how the camera works and having the eye needed for composition are all it takes after reaching a location. Lighting is key too. I generally only snap photos in the early morning or evening hours.
Leave a comment to win a copy of HOPE AND COMFORT FOR EVERY SEASON. Two winners will be drawn randomly and announced in this post tomorrow morning. Good luck!
To learn more about Nancy J. Locke, visit www.NancyLocke.net.
Labels: hope and comfort for every season, interview, nancy j locke, photography
posted by Jia Gayles at 7:52 AM
31 Comments:
I think just about everyone deep down wants to be able to take great photos. I would love to see more of your photography.
seriousreader at live dot com
Wow, this book is an inspiration to all of us, just as Nancy J Locke is! This book sounds like a perfect gift for all to have beside them...helping us through our good times and those moments that seem negative. Nancy J Lock's photography is sensational and inspirational to every mood to being us into the tranquility essance of God's gifts. Awesome interview, and I look forward to having this book available to my right hand! Congratulations on your wonderful encouraging book!
8o)
I've "known" Nancy online for a few years now and have seen her journey to this point. I have a copy of HOPE AND COMFORT and the photos are just breathtaking! I've shown the book to several friends who all agree.
I love the tie in with Ecclesiastes and how well Nancy's photos and Cecil's words illustrated those well-known verses.
Marilyn
OH WOW! Those are some of the most beautiful examples of photography I have ever seen! I consider myself a VERY amateur photographer because it is something I love to do, but gosh I don't think I could ever do anything that beautiful!
As it has been said many times a picture is worth a thousand words. Nancy has a true gift of finding the perfect photo to complement what the author is saying.
Jennifer
Enjoyed the post today and the pictures are wonderful! tWarner419@aol.com
Great interview and photos! Who wouldn't want to be able to create art like yours?
Ann
ann_stewart79@hotmail.com
Thank you, everyone! Photography does speak to the soul and I love immersing myself in it. :D
Blessings, Nancy J Locke
My first dream is to be a writer. My second would be to have the ability to take photos like these. Sigh.
You said, "I want others to experience the inspiration I am feeling when snapping photos and talking with God." What a perfect way to share your calling and do His work. How blessed you must be.
Very well said Nancy! Thank you for sharing. I wish there would be more people like you.
Michal
I love this book!! The photography is amazing. I will be giving this as a gift to friends for years to come.
Molly
Kirk, LSU Reader, Michal and Molly, you have touched my heart with your comments as the other posters have.
We all are here to help others and I'm happy the Lord has found a way for me to do this through my photography.
If I have encouraged a smile on someone's face who has been having difficulties, that gives me an inner joy that can only be found through the spirit.
Blessings, Nancy J Locke
Hi Nancy,
Just wanted to add here that I am so happy for you!!! You are a wonderful inspiration to me and I'm positive others... Your sight into nature is breathtaking and thank God you found a way to share your photography with us.
I'm thrilled to have found you and your creative images through BP and wish you best wishes and success with this book and more!
Sincerely,
Smiling With You,
Christine Lobsinger
This book seems like a great book to pick up...I may to go get this one. I love the photographs Nancy.
Nancy, congratulations on the wonderful work you have done for this lovely book. Your photos are as inspiring as you are. What beautiful answers you gave to the questions.
Wonderful interview. It was nice to learn a little about you. Beautiful photos. I wish to one day to put together a photo book showing the glory of God.
Dr Silly :O)
Nice article which shows some of the reasons for Nancy's artist's eye and perspective! ~ jb///
Thank you for the beautiful comments. Good morning!
Christine, a photographer's creativity delights me because God has made us all different and we interpret from our own perspective, which makes images unique. I've had fun getting to know you at BP and Dr. Silly and Nancyj too! Have had some great times.
I love finding the natural images where the background and foreground come from the shot. It's a challenge in nature because not all is beautiful out there, but that's where I find my passion.
Marilyn has known me since I first came online and she has watched me grow. :D Thanks for being there, Mar!
Suzanne, thank you and you have helped me grow as a writer. I appreciate that, always!
How blessed I am to meet new blog readers from my interview. I will visit your blogs and websites. :D
Have a super day!
Nancy J Locke
Dino, thank you! Let me know how you like the book if you buy it.
Thank you, LZ! So glad you dropped by to comment. :D You've taken me on amazing journeys across the country.
Blessings, Nancy J Locke
It's been GREAT working with Cecil Murphey on this gift book!
He has a Writer to Writer blog for those who are looking for tips to increase their skills, and he has some beautiful and helpful posts.
http://cecmurpheyswritertowriter.blogspot.com/
Blessings, Nancy J Locke
I have been a fan of Nancy's work for 4 years. I have been mesmerized by the depth, the volume, the texture that the photos speaks of the Divine Mystery. I always think of pristine clarity. A crisp, clean, fresh, clear, beautiful, heavenly place when i see Nancy's photos. they remind me of Heaven. They remind me of all that is perfect about Planet Earth. I think that is what I love most about Nancy's work. This can be a powerful and much needed reminder sometimes.
I love seeing the beauty that this planet has to offer -- of knowing it is still here, existent, intact.
Nancy, has been an inspiration and guiding voice through her work for me for some time, a friend, and I cherish her as an artist, spiritual being and friend.
Love & light,
Ruthie
Dear Ruthie, you have me teary-eyed! Thank you, hon, for the caring person you are!
Blessings, Nancy
This comment has been removed by the author.
I am so honored to have this wonderful book, Hope and Comfort for Every Season. Every page is filled with such beauty and wisdom. I feel inspired to change my attitude faster like a child would so I can be a better child of God! :) This book has me wanting to clean out the filing cabinets of my heart (and college papers too!), so I can fully embrace what is really important. Thank you so much. I am blessed to have this treasure of a book and would recommended it to anyone who desires personal growth and a closer relationship with the Lord and Each Other, no matter our age. Eph. 4 31-32..
The Images In This Book By: Nancy L Locke are as beautiful and inspiring as the words I read.
Yours sincerely,
Laura E. Swan
Calgary, Alberta., CANADA
Laura, I'm happy you found inspiration with Cecil Murphey's beautiful words and enjoyed my Michigan nature photographs. :D
Blessings to you as you embrace your new beginnings. :D It's great to find focus for what counts most in life. It brings that elusive peace-of-mind that brings happiness as we face this difficult world.
You're such a doll!
Nancy J Locke
I have appreciated Nancy and her beautiful photographs since we met this past year.
In this particular book written by Cecil Murphey, there is a wonderful match of soul words with soulful imagery. I feel that Nancy's photos really illuminate Cecil's text. They helped me, as a reader to meditate more fully on how the message he brings with each section apply in my life.
Illuminating! Truly that is the right word to describe any of Nancy's photos I have seen. Her gift for capturing a moment is evident on a consistent basis.
I plan to give this book to friends as a gift and pass along the joy!
Lynn, I have loved meeting you this past year through your beautiful devotionals. :D
Cecil Murphey's words have always touched my heart and his faith and love for helping others has inspired me with my photography.
I loved 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN - which he co-authored and have begun reading it again. :D Cec has an open and beautiful heart that one can't help but admire and embrace. His strong faith soothes the soul.
God's gift of nature brings us to that beautiful experience of meditation with the Lord and with understanding ourselves. Photography captures those moments in a fine way. :D Thank you for enjoying my images.
Blessings, Nancy J Locke
Nancy, I just wanted to you know how much I love this book. I just get lost in the depth and beauty of your photography. It is a perfect match for the wonder writing of Cecil Murphey.
This is a book I will treasure! I showed it off at work and sold several more copies for you. Everybody was very impressed with it.
Looking forward to more of your beautiful work.
Deb
Nancy, I just wanted to you know how much I love this book. I just get lost in the depth and beauty of your photography. It is a perfect match for the wonder writing of Cecil Murphey.
This is a book I will treasure! I showed it off at work and sold several more copies for you. Everybody was very impressed with it.
Looking forward to more of your beautiful work.
Deb
Thank you, Deb! Your comment brings tears to my eyes. :D
Blessings, Nancy J Locke
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