If you are familiar with the style of photography that I shoot, you already know that I prefer to create photos that have an artistic mood and sometimes a paint-like finish look. Photos and landscapes of nature in particular is where I find my zen. But in the Fall of 2023 I had an opportunity to travel for 32 days to 5 countries and 9 cities in some of Europe's most captivating places. So with a carry-on on one hand and my coat on the other, I embarked on a journey that would be filled with art, beautiful sceneries, delicious food and plenty of photographic opportunities. I am calling this new Gallery: "Urban Landscapes".

When I took these images, I was not looking for perfection, I was looking for moments that would remind me of the beauty of a place, the places that moved me, inspired me or where I had that incredible meal! I am grateful to have had this time away, in fact as I get to see my images completed, I reminisce of every place that I visited, of the kind people that helped me along the way and am incredibly grateful for having had this fabulous opportunity.

I am in the process of curating over 2000 photos! Not all of them will make it into this gallery, but wanted to give you a sneak peek of the ones I have completed so far. So check-in and see what is new in this gallery from time to time and let me know if you have a favorite in the bunch and if it is time to add new art wall to your home or office or need a gift idea (cards, tote bags, etc), I am here to help!

Thanks

Connie :)

In architecture we conceptualize the built environment from the start of a schematic design and construction plans to the exterior façade and what the skin of a building will look like. My love for photographing landscapes and nature, allows me to step back from construction methods and analysis, into what is fluid, unrestricted and free. 

In my series, Water Reflections, I’ve done exactly that. Over the course of a week at a lake in north Maine, by the Appalachian trails, I photographed autumn colors, reflected in water as currents of air gently rippled the surface of streams. The sky, the trees, the rocks provided the permanence, while the wind, rippled surface, time of day and weather, provided the freedom, impermanence and fluidity.

Reflections in a body of water are something we are all familiar with. But it becomes a little less familiar when you stop its movement on your camera. Stopping time on each image reveals patterns and shapes that we typically don’t notice or see. Curved edges of water that change every time the wind blows and touches its surface. Each image presents a mirror image of the surrounding trees and leaves, while the sky as well as the world beneath the water’s surface is simultaneously present and alive.

Something very familiar and solid is here but also something impermanent, mysterious and fluid.

The winter landscape at an indian reservation speaks very gently to the soul.

If you listen carefully, you can hear the whispers of the elders when the air softly moves the grass and the leaves of the trees on the hills and meadows. This land has seen so much. One can almost see the footprints of the great Taos ancestors on the snow, feel their happiness and their anger for what history and destiny brought to them.

But their wisdom remains:

“LET THE ELDERS SPEAK”

LET THE ELDERS SPEAK. LET THIS BE THEIR MOMENT TO DECLARE THE DESIRES OF THEIR HEARTS.

LET THEM HAVE THEIR SAY, THAT THE WORDS SPOKEN MIGHT BECOME THE FIRE OF WISDOM.

LET THE OLD ONES ADMONISH THE YOUNG, TO KNOW THEIR CREATOR GOD, TO BECOME THECARETAKERS OF THEIR LAND, TO FULFILL THE PRAYERS OF THEIR ANCESTORS.

LET THE ELDERS SPEAK, THAT THIS GENERATION MIGHT INHERIT A PORTION OF THEIR STRENGTH.

By R.L. - Taos Pueblo