GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN · Her work is in the Permanent Collection of the ... (singing and playing the piano), quilting, knitting and, most importantly, ... Kelly Walkotten

Nature Photography Weekend— 2018 Featured Speakers —

David AkoubianDavid Akoubian has been a photographer since 1972, when his father presented him with his first camera. But his career in photog-raphy started in 1992.

David learned his craft originally as a painter and from his father, who shares his love of nature and photography. Early in his career, he traveled with, learned from and taught beside some of the masters of nature photog-raphy, including John Shaw, Art Wolfe, Galen Rowell, Bryan Peterson, Pat O’Hara and Rod Planck.

David has been teaching photography since 1994 in the classroom and leading workshops around the United States, as well as presenting at numerous camera clubs.

David’s clients include, but are not limited to, Coca-Cola, PNC Bank, Tamron, Sirui, the Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia, Lensbaby, The Nature Conservancy, Scholastic Books and Gibbs Gardens. His photographs and articles have appeared in publications, such as Nature Photogra-pher, Audubon Magazine, Blue Ridge Country, Birder’s World, Outdoor Photographer, Backpacker Magazine and many local publications. His work has appeared in several feature books and calen-dars, as well as in instructional guides. David is a Tamron Image Master, as well as being designated as a Sirui Professional. For more information, visit www.bearwoodsphotography.com.

Mollie IsaacsMollie Isaacs is a professional photographer spe-cializing in nature and wildlife, abstracts and flow-ers. She runs Awake The Light Photo Workshops and Tours, leading photo workshops across the country and beyond. She loves sharing her passion for photography with others and enjoys teaching her techniques and simple tricks of the trade.

In addition to photographing nature and wildlife, Mollie is an experienced portrait photographer and has photographed many famous faces, including actress Meryl Streep, jazz musician Wynton Mar-salis and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Early in her career, Mollie studied with Ansel Adams. Her work is in the Permanent Collection of the International Photography Hall of Fame and has been exhibited at Epcot Center in Disney World and Grand Central Station in New York City. She has authored books and e-books. She lives at the Outer Banks of North Carolina and enjoys all things beachy. For more information, visit www.awakethelight.com.

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN

Les SaucierLes Saucier is a professional photographer and teach-er, living in Brevard, N.C.

Saucier Photography offers workshops that teach students how to create images with heart. For more than 30 years, Les has conducted workshops across the country. As an educator, he has led courses in nature photography at the University of Georgia and Western Carolina University and has been a presenter at NAN-PA and CNPA and a keynote speaker at Western North Carolina Foto Fest, now known as Smoky Mountain Foto Fest.

Les has a Master’s in field biology, which lead to a career with the USDA’s Department of Agricul-tural Research Services. It was through his work researching insects for their positive impact on crop growth that Les discovered his passion for macro photography. Combing many hours of self-study with workshops with leading photography teachers John Shaw and Larry West, as well as collab-orative workshops with Nancy Rotenberg, all of whom greatly influenced his photography, Les has become well known for his photographic contributions and teaching of the art.For more information, visit www.saucierphoto.com.

Kyle Cook & Melissa Southern Familiar faces at Nature Photography Weekend, Kyle Cook and Melissa Southern are co-owners of Bear Creek Photography, where they offer myriad photography services, host workshops and em-brace adventure.

Kyle Cook is a self-taught photographer, having photographed nature since her children were young. Throughout the years, she’s attended vari-ous workshops, won a few awards for her nature

photography and has assisted in workshops as a guide and as the Canon support person. Kyle is also a member of Canon Professional Services. She was educated as a sign language interpreter at Maryville Col-lege in Tennessee and is currently a veterinary nurse. Her duties include acting as the social media director and photographer for the Animal Hospital of Statesville. She is currently working on a book with her busi-ness partner, Melissa Southern. Kyle is married to Roger Cook, and Kyle’s two sons and Roger’s three sons round out their family—almost! They’ve adopted quite a few cats, and are also proud parents of Cailin the Wonderdog! Kyle’s other interests include music (singing and playing the piano), quilting, knitting and, most importantly, camping, hiking and enjoying nature.

An award-winning photographer and presenter, Melissa Southern has been shooting since childhood and a working professional since 2003. She has photographed all over the United States, as well as in Ireland, England, France and Mexico. Melissa is a member of Nikon Professional Services and is a sponsored Lowepro Photographer. She has photographs published in the “Guide to the National Museum of Natural History” at the Smithsonian Institution, Nature Photographer magazine, various product magazines and several other publications. She has presented at Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic (and is a member of the Team for the Nature Photography Weekend and the Camera Clinic), Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), the City of Orlando and Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

She has judged numerous photography competitions over the years for various groups. Melissa has worked as a forensic photographer for more than 10 years and was the first International Association for

Identification (IAI) certified forensic photographer in North Carolina. Melissa has a B.A. in Anthropology and an Associate Degree in Photography.

Melissa and Kyle met at Grandfather Mountain around eight years ago. Since then, they have developed a close friendship and enjoy shooting and working together. Their decision to go into business together seemed a natural progression of their mutual interests and the adventures—and misadventures—that are always a part of their photographic outings. Melissa and Kyle enjoy people and love instructing photogra-phers at all skill levels, encouraging and inspiring them.

— 2017 Presenters —

Kelly WalkottenKelly Walkotten combines her passions of photography, travel and writing to bring the wonders of nature to others. Through her travels, she captures images for publication. Then, through research, writing and presen-tation, she brings nature to an audience and teaches them about the habitat and behavior of unique creatures from around the world.

She is an avid scuba diver, whose images, articles and blogs have brought the undersea world to readers of the PSA Journal and Fem Worldview. These publications have featured articles by Kelly that include photos from diving the Caribbean, the Pacific and Indo-

Pacific. Her favorite destination is Indonesia, where she has spent 16 weeks above and below the sea. She has been published in many other print and web publications.

Kelly lives in the greater Grand Rapids, Mich., area and winters in Islamorada, Fla. Her images have been exhibited in many venues throughout Michigan and the Florida Keys. Kelly has presented to numerous camera clubs and civic organizations, along with teaching Photography, Photoshop and Lightroom. She also presents and leads workshops.

For more information, visit www.kellywalkottenphotography.com.

Vinny ColucciAward-winning photographer Vinny Colucci has been an active photographer since 1979 and a shooting profes-sional since 1995. He has photographed North Carolina to the West Coast and north to the Canadian Rockies. Along with his wife, Annette, Vinny conducts nature and wildlife photography workshops throughout the year.

Vinny is an active outdoorsman and a member of Nikon Professional Services and Wimberley Professional Servic-es, as well as a sponsored Mindshift/Think Tank Photog-rapher. Vinny is also a Singh-Ray Filter Technical Advisor. His images have appeared in numerous publications, including Nature Photographer magazine, New Bern Travel magazine and Microwave Journal. He has also authored and co-authored multiple books. His speaking engagements have included Popular Photography magazine, as well as presentations at Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), St. Augustine Photo & Birding Festival, Orlando Wetlands Festival, Crane Festival and several universities around the country. For more information, visit www.vinnycolucci.com.

Tommy WhiteTommy White is a visual artist and landscape photog-rapher in the Southern Appalachians. Living in the quaint mountain town of Boone, Tommy is immersed in the heart of old mountain culture and the incredible beauty of the High Country.

With a great passion for nature and the outdoors, Tommy enjoys exploring the remote reaches of the Western North Carolina wilderness. His connection with the natural world is best seen captured in his dramatic and dynamic imagery.

Tommy’s life-long passion is evident in his award-winning work, and his style is unmistakable. His talent for capturing rare moments of fleeting light and synergy between elements have become rec-ognizable in his work, and his style can best be described in the way a scene is captured, unique in time, place and atmosphere.

As a photography instructor, Tommy enjoys sharing his years of experience and his artistic approach with aspiring photographers. Tommy is especially fond of helping photographers identify and nur-ture their artistic vision and, more importantly, how to bring it to life — an aspect of photography that is frequently overlooked in the common quest for speedy improvement and tomorrow’s post.You can view more of his work at www.tommywhitephotography.com.

Alistair NicolAlistair Nicol is a fine art landscape photographer based in Charleston, S.C.

He was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and quickly developed a love for both the ocean and the mountains at a young age. Hiking out his backdoor up the side of Table Mountain and heading off to surf at the many beaches were some of his favorite activities growing up. His thirst for adventure and the great outdoors started early and firmed a strong handhold on him.

Now, he relishes getting out into this big beautiful world and capturing the incredible landscape and finer details. Making memories and experiences of this natural world has always been a passion for him.

Sharing these experiences and helping others capture the beauty all around is his life mission.Alistair specializes in landscape and fine art photography. You can learn more about Alistair, view his work, and see more on his website at coastalinsight.com.

Want to give another of our photo events a shot? Learn about the Grandfather Mountain Amateur & Professional Camera Clinic,

returning Aug. 18-19, by visiting https://bit.ly/2kzSVGZ