Ten Years a Photographer

Photo by Liz Birnbaum, The Curated Feast for Ten Speed Press

Travel far enough, you meet yourself. - David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

It’s amazing how some things take a long time to come around. Lately I’ve been thinking back to August 2009. That was the beginning of the creation of the person I am today.

Ten years ago, I became a professional photographer when my then-boss Glenn, @thoughtstoodeepfortears, handed me a camera on a field trip to Volo Bog. I’m sure he asked me on a whim. I was asked to document some study materials — photos of tree buds, leaves, and branching patterns, etc., but I got much more. I can still vividly remember some of the shots from that day. Bright hemlock, Sandhill Cranes, Black-eyed Susans, and my first introduction to one of my favorite trees, Larix laricina, also known as the Tamarack.
Every moment was enhanced by being able to document it. I was hooked.

Now ten years later, the book I shot for @tenspeedpress — showing fruit trees through the seasons — hits the shelves tomorrow!

Over the last decade, I’ve grown as a photographer in so many ways, including a lot of years where I didn’t even have the confidence to claim the title. Now, I’m ready to claim it: I am a professional photographer. Thank you all for being with me on this ride — what a beautiful one it’s been.

Photo Portfolio: https://lizbirnbaum.carbonmade.com/