Susan Day, NANPA Executive Director
Did you know that June 15 is Nature Photography Day? NANPA registered this date in 2006 in Chases’ Calendar of Events, and each year we’ve celebrated the day by encouraging people to get outside and take nature photos and share them that day.
Nature Photography Day was originally proposed by Shirley Nuhn, who volunteered (and continues to do so) for NANPA’s History Committee. Shirley did the research, contacted the appropriate people, (by snail mail, which was how things were done back then) and collected the necessary paperwork and applications which the NANPA board approved. Thanks to Shirley, who continues to help with planning Nature Photography Day and who prepares and distributes media releases and public service announcements, 2018 will mark our 12th year of Nature Photography Days.
For the last 11 years, I have made a point to take a nature photo on June 15. Some years I planned ahead for what I wanted to photograph and others I walked around my gardens and found something special to document. Many of those images were snapshots, but I remember a few of them. One of my all-time favorite photos that I’ve ever taken was of a Clematis vine growing on my deck. I don’t remember the year, but it was back when NANPA asked folks to take only one photo on June 15 to share. I cheated a little and shot two frames– a vertical and a horizontal. Since then, I’ve licensed these two images many times for calendars, cards, and editorial use.
Ville de Leon Clematis taken on my deck on Nature Photography Day © Susan Day/Daybreak Imagery
Through the years, nature centers, parks, National Parks and Refuges, camera clubs, civic groups, and other organizations have planned events around Nature Photography Day and used this opportunity to teach others about nature and photography. NANPA has a flyer on the website that you can print and hand out locally—or you can direct people to our website which has a nice list of ideas for Nature Photography Day https://nanpa.org/events/nature-photography-day/. Feel free to spread the word so others can find ways to enjoy nature photography.
This year NANPA is hosting another Nature Photography Day Photo Contest on Facebook, which I encourage you to check out. You’ll have an opportunity to enter your favorite nature photos between June 8-15 and be eligible to win some great prizes. B&H Photo, Cognisys, MindShift Gear, Olympus, Tamron, Wimberley, and NANPA have donated gear, equipment, and gift certificates! There are no entry fees, it’s open to all photographers 18 years of age or older, and you can enter one nature-related image per day through NANPA’s Facebook page.
For more information, https://nanpa.org/official-rules/
June is a perfect month to celebrate nature and photography. I’m looking forward to finding a new favorite photo and hope you will too.
Susan Day
NANPA Executive Director
