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President's Message NANPA Recollections and the Future I can remember the day like it was yesterday: January 12, 1995--the day before the opening of the first NANPA summit. I had arrived early, eager with anticipation. I would not be disappointed; in fact, it would change my life forever. From January 13-15, more than 500 nature photographers-amateurs and professionals-convened in Fort Myers, Fla. to celebrate the craft and profession of nature photography. I had often dreamed about such an organization and now the dream was becoming a reality. Down the hotel hallways and in the many meeting rooms I caught my first glimpse of folks I used to only read about-Art Wolfe, Frans Lanting, George Lepp, and Dewitt Jones. Wow, they actually do exist and they said "Hi!" And who would be the first person I would meet at the opening reception that night? None other than Joe MacDonald. Now Joe did not know me from Adam. But here he invited me to sit down and have a beer with him. He talked to me as if we had been friends for a long time. Having read all his books and admired his photography, here I was talking with the guy. How was I ever going to get to sleep that night? I was in hog heaven as we say in my neck of the woods. The excitement of the Summit kept building to the point that no one wanted it to end. We talked about the craft of photography. We listened to the professionals discuss issues of concern to them. We developed new contacts and made new friends. We spoke with the many sponsors and exhibitors about their products. We learned from editors and publishers. We celebrated the success of others, both professional and amateur. We left inspired, motivated, and hopeful. Hog heaven, indeed. Fort Myers was historical and memorable, and I have found that to be true for each successive Summit. To listen to the tops in our craft is like opening individual Christmas gifts. From the attendance records for every Summit since 1995, between 600 and 750 folks agree with my assessment. Having 25 percent of an organization's membership attend annual summits speaks volumes about what the organization means to our members. I will be honored to serve as NANPA's President for 2002. I thank all those who have preceded me and I will do my best to not let you or the membership down. I extend my appreciation to everyone who has served on NANPA's Board of Directors and the various committees. These folks are volunteers; no payment is expected nor received. Yet, they possess such a passion for this thing called nature photography that they want to continue NANPA's bond. The organization keeps us, a solitary lot for the most part, as one family. To all the speakers we've had, from keynote to plenary to breakout to panels, we owe you a big heartfelt appreciation for sharing your world and your passion with us. To our sponsors, we deeply thank you for your support over the years. And to our executive staff, I personally want to express gratitude for your encouragement and advice. To each and every member of NANPA, thanks for what you do to excite others about our natural heritage. Your responsibility as a messenger of good will has been multiplied a thousand fold since the tragic events of September 11. Your images of wild creatures and wild places will continue to serve as sources of inspiration and encouragement. You have a bigger challenge today: to do even more to help our world heal. Your images can do that. Your photographs re-ignite memories of places people hold dear; of moments that help them make sense of this recent madness; maybe even provide a means of temporary escape. You do make a difference. I admire the work of NANPA members and their willingness to share with the world. So, keep sharing. The world needs you more than ever. NANPA can be proud of the many accomplishments it has achieved. The Summits are our annual crowning achievement, but we have done much more. NANPA has participated in discussions and workshops to address access issues on public lands. It signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to work together on issues of mutual concern, including the construction of photography blinds on national wildlife refuges. NANPA's members were among the 700-plus photographers who sent letters to BLM about proposed access restrictions. The membership was successful, through a letter-writing campaign, in preventing the Alaska Department of Fish and Game from invoking regulations to restrict access to the McNeil River Bear Sanctuary. We worked together with other photography associations to address airline restrictions for carry-on luggage. We launched an exciting new website and our student scholarship workshop has evolved into a program of national recognition. We now have special discount shipping rates from FedEx and a camera insurance program. We have just initiated a new NANPA Reference Handbook series too. All of this has resulted from a volunteer organization, whose members are spread to the four directions of the wind and whose majority of members work in professions other than nature photography. Our organization consistently averages a 90 percent-plus retention rate. NANPA is a community of like-minded, passionate, but diverse artists and professionals. The value of NANPA lies in the variety of its membership, both in interest and background. The heterogeneity of our family makes NANPA dynamic, not stale. From the first-time camera shooter to the most renowned professional, everyone plays a part in NANPA. For the year 2002, I look forward to doing even more for this extraordinary group of folks that is called NANPA. Thanks to all of you for allowing me to be a member of this wonderful family of photographers. Stay hungry and happy shooting! Site Index Search Disclaimers Contact Us  North American Nature Photography Association 10200 West 44th Avenue, Suite 304 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-2840, USA Phone: 303-422-8527 Fax: 303-422-8894 E-mail: info@nanpa.org © 2001 All Rights Reserved |
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