As someone trained in photography and fortunate enough to call it both a career and a passion, I’ve always found that photography sits at a fascinating crossroads: it’s joyful, but also undeniably challenging. The field is competitive, and it’s so easy to get discouraged when “everyone else” seems to have such amazing photos. But when I pause and step back, I’m reminded — photography is not about comparison. It’s about connection.
That’s why our annual Photo Contest and the Photo Walks leading up to it are so meaningful. They remind us that this is not just about submitting images online. It’s about building community, celebrating local identity, and seeing our neighborhoods with new eyes.
Reconnecting through the Lens
After the pandemic, when so many jobs shifted online, I found myself wondering: how does a photographer work “virtually”? If you’re not on site, how can you capture authentic moments? More importantly, I felt the loss of connection — with people, with places, with the energy of being present.
Photography became my way to re-root myself. To walk nearby trails, notice what’s around me, and be fully in the moment. It’s not just about making an image; it’s about observing, feeling, and then sharing that sense of wonder. That’s why I say: photographers are lucky. We get to carry these small miracles of light and time in our cameras, and then offer them back to our communities.
Wendi’s 2023 TTF Social Media Takeover photos
First Photo Walk: Learning with Disposable Cameras
This summer, our first photo walk brought us to Ferko Summer Camp, where we handed out disposable cameras to the kids. The simplicity of this medium carries its own special lesson. Each photo costs nearly a dollar to take. There are no previews, no endless reshoots, and only a limited number of frames. Suddenly, photography becomes about patience and intention, rather than snapping hundreds of shots and hoping for one good image.
Photo by Jason Quach
It was inspiring to watch the campers slow down, look closely, and truly see before pressing the shutter. That, I think, is the essence of photography — being present and honoring the moment in front of you.
Second Photo Walk: A Young Photographer Shines
Our second photo walk filled me with joy in a different way. Among the participants was Briel, a young photographer who seemed to have a natural gift for the craft. She approached photography with passion and curiosity, but what impressed me most was her way of engaging with people. She spoke to strangers with ease and respect, always asking for permission before photographing them. Watching her work reminded me why I fell in love with this art form in the first place — it’s not just about pictures, but about relationships, respect, and shared stories.
Meeting Briel and talking with her about photography was an honor. I couldn’t help but think: here is a future master photographer in the making.
Photos Brielle took during the Tacony Creek Park photo walk
2025 Photo Contest
This year’s Photo Contest is more than an online submission. It’s a chance to strengthen the ties between people, places, and stories across our watershed. Every photo — whether from a disposable camera or a digital lens — carries within it the spark of connection.
For me, photography continues to be both a profession and a path of joy. But most of all, it is a bridge: linking us to each other, to our neighborhoods, and to the natural beauty we’re all working together to protect.
So let’s keep walking, observing, and sharing. And let’s celebrate every photographer — from seasoned professionals to children with their very first camera — for the way they help us see our community in a new light.
