Copyright Carol Albers
Every time I finish a workshop, I marvel at the people who are a part of them – thoughtful and kind, as well as excellent photographers in their own right. They all seem to have a thirst to continue to grow and evolve, and to do it with others. We really do learn from each other.
In this series, I feature some of these wonderful people on this blog – to show you their work, and allow them to tell their photography story.
Today, you’ll hear from Carol Albers, who contributes to the wonderful site, Focusing on Life.
Carol has been a part of my workshops – The 50mm Project, Going Abstract, and Adventures in Seeing. I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at Star Island, New Hampshire last year, and she is as delightful in person as she is online. As you will see below, she values community learning and growing experiences.
Meet Carol Albers
How and when did you get started in photography and what drew you to this medium?
My parents gave me a Brownie camera when I was about 8. I owned a camera, pretty much, from then on. Despite my father’s interest in photography as a hobby, I was not encouraged to major in the arts in college. My parents wanted me to be able to earn a living. I have come full circle on this one, because I later ended up a single mother with a newborn and a one year old, and I was grateful that I could support them in my job as an audiologist. When my younger child left for college, the first thing I did was sign up for a photography course. I “was bitten” and have indulged myself ever since, doing the thing I love!
Copyright Carol Albers
Describe your evolution as a photographer. Who are your mentors?
You asked previously what drew me in. In my mind, that ties right in to my mentor. I have a large “box store” near me that offers equipment, as well as classes. You can do anything from seeing a one hour slideshow by a National Geographic photographer, to taking a 5 week PS course, or joining a group shoot. I sign up for almost everything. Eventually, I took a course there from Nancy Ori, owner of The N.J. Media Center, and founder of The N.J. Photography Forum. Nancy is a lifelong professional photographer, with corporate, fine art, and teaching experience. That allows her to teach clearly and concisely about art. I have found that to be a rare combination of skills.
In my job as an audiologist, I spend my time teaching people how to relearn to hear with their new hearing aids. When Nancy talked about “learning to see,” I was drawn to the parallels. I have since started a research base about retraining our senses. I don’t know where that will eventually lead, but I am interested in reading and writing about it. And contemplative photography fits nicely into that.
Then I took the leap. Despite my nervousness, I signed up for one of Nancy’s destination workshops – a week in Cape May, NJ for a course in “Color, Light and Composition. “ I ended up meeting 5 women there. We realized we lived within a few hours of each other and began to meet up every few months to shoot events in our area. We returned to the Cape May workshop for 5 years running. We encourage each other to try new things. We share our books, articles and supplies. We send our work to each other to critique; we travel together; we enter exhibitions. These women are my safe environment, and Nancy has long since become a good friend, as well as mentor and generous teacher.
Copyright Carol Albers
Why do you photograph and what types of subjects are your favourites?
There are so many reasons I photograph. It gets me outdoors in every season. It has taken me to many interesting places that I would not otherwise have seen. This year alone, photography has taken me to France, Star Island New Hampshire, and Texas. That is not even including all the local fun I’ve had – miniature donkeys, wolf preserves, glass blowers exhibitions, the Martin Guitar Factory – anything out of the ordinary is worth a visit!
I also am aware that I am a worrier (you have written about this, Kim). When I am photographing, or even post-processing, I have no worries – I am totally in the zone. And all the experiences I just mentioned have given me much courage to pursue my interests wherever they may take me. I have a new-found confidence that allows me to benefit from critique, and to grow in every direction!
I love the process as much as any particular subject, but I have to say that water and boats are everywhere in my work, with trees a close second. I am most comfortable out in nature.
Copyright Carol Albers
Tell us more about your involvement with Focusing on Life and how that’s affected your photography and life.
My collaborative blog, Focusing On Life, is another unexpected gift that photography has brought to my life. Years ago I took an on-line course with Shutter Sisters, called Picture Winter. It was a new experience for me having a daily prompt, and then photographing for the prompt and posting it at night. I found that similar people are drawn to similar photos. As I progressed through Picture Spring, Picture Summer and Picture Fall, I began to see the same people commenting on my pictures, just as I searched out their prompts. We became more and more familiar in our comments to each other. And then – the course ended! We were bereft! We began our own group, called Prompt Addicts, and voluntarily posted prompts to a growing group.
Then one day I got a telephone call from Claudia Wrightson, inviting me in on the development of a blog featuring 10 women, of differing ages, from all over the country. The concept was to explore life and women’s’ experience through photography and inspiration. Three years later, we are still going. We communicate almost daily behind the scenes, and have become good friends or – as we call ourselves – Life Sisters. Many of us had never met, but last October we managed to get the whole group physically together in Texas! We were all beyond excited at the prospect of being together, and I found each woman to be exactly as I had pictured her! It was like we had known each other forever and we had so much fun, talking, shooting, and planning for the future of the blog. We even got some contemplative photography in there, as we are all of similar minds when it comes to this wonderful field of study! What a blessing each of those women is in my life!
Copyright Carol Albers
Do you sell your work? If so, where can we find it.
I have sold my work locally and through exhibitions. On The N.J. Photography Forum site you can see a drop down menu under the “Exhibitions” tab that contains the shows in their entirety. I am in two shows currently, and have just been approved to add a personal gallery to the site. (a fall project!). I have also sold images through my personal website, carolcalbers.zenfolio.com (be patient with the empty categories – it’s currently a work-in-progress).
I write every other Monday on FOL. And if you follow the “About Us” tab on FOL, you will see my Flickr, and Instagram streams as well.
So, as you can see, photography has enriched my life more than I ever could have guessed when I signed up for that first adult school class! I have avoided the empty-nest syndrome.I have gained acquaintances and close friends both near and far, and my personal growth cannot be measured. I look forward to many more years of learning and SEEING.
Thank you, Carol. You can see all of her posts at Focusing on Life.
Kim -I am so honored to be a part of your wonderful blog today. I am very glad to have found you on my journey towards contemplation -you are an endless source of information and inspiration! Wishing you the best in 2015 and beyond, and I hope we meet again soon.
Likewise, Carol! Thank you for agreeing to be a part of this series. Your images really stand out in this piece and the ones from Star Island are especially meaningful for me.
Beautiful – I find life is so much richer when you can share the things you love. Thank you for sharing.
This is MY BIG SISTER!! She is an amazing photographer but an even better person. Her warmth and curiosity are reflected in her beautiful, calming, peaceful pictures. I am sooooo proud of her!!
Wonderful interview and insights! Thanks for sharing!
Carol, Your work and words so inspire me! And after meeting you in person this past fall, I realized just how similar we are in our views of not only photography, but life as well. No wonder we became such fast friends!
What a beautiful post, Carol. Your art and photography reflects your love of beauty and soul. I am so happy to call you a Life Sister.
I love the post about Carol and all of her creative ideas about creating community. I also really like her photographs. They speak to me of many beautiful soul searching peaceful things. I hope she reads this.
Carol I feel that you too have enriched my journey as a photographer and as a person – I treasure our friendship and mutual joy of photography! You are a wonderful writer as well
Wow, Carol – what a beautiful unfolding your ‘photography life’ has been; I’m so inspired by all that you’ve shared. Taking that first step toward a life of your dreams, even when you think you’re only taking a photography class, can set magic in motion. Your photographs are breathtaking; you.capture the Beauty of Stillness, an essence that lights up, and heals, the soul. I will think of you (and your loving sisters, how lucky you all are to have found each other) every time I hesitate to show-up somewhere in my own life – I will remember the magic it could lead to, and I will be open to whatever emerges. I’m grateful to have ‘met’ you here. And Kim, I temain grateful to you for the wonder you consistently introduce in my life … Sally
Beautiful. Photographs speak. Carol found a world beyond her world again and again. Inspiring.
What a wonderful interview! Carol is one of my Life Sisters, whom I love dearly. She’s is always an inspiration to me in photography and in life. Thank you, Kim, for featuring her!
Well all, I don’t mean to get too mushy, but these comments make me teary. Its been such a personal journey, and its surprising but nice to see that others can relate to it. Thank you all for reaching out and, you are right -my world just keeps getting richer and richer! Peace.
I think it’s a testament to you and the way you’ve reached out, Carol, that this is a very popular post today!
Such a treat to see Carol here today, she is such a kind soul and it shows in her photography. I just adore the one of the house and rock fence!
as one of carol’s ‘life sisters’, i am reading this and i can hear her voice. i can picture her expressions. which gives me such warm fuzzies. i know first hand what an inspiration carol is. in the short amount of time that we have spent together in person, she has taught me so much about ‘seeing’ and challenged me (in the VERY.BEST.WAY) to become more open to this type of photography. i’m so honored to share a space with her at FOL and so blessed to call her my friend.
I was so excited to see two of my favourite photographers team up for an interview. I have just begun to know Carol’s wonderful work and I love her posts on FOL. I can so easily see how Kim and Carol would turn out to be such kindred spirits.
It’s always so interesting to see other photographer’s work and hear why they take the photos they do. Beautiful examples of Carol’s photography here. I especially love the first one and the last one because of the stories they tell. Thank you for sharing!