My name is J. C. Strange. I am a nature photographer from North Carolina. My passions for art and the outdoors merge behind the camera.
I am a certified member of Nature First, the Alliance for Responsible Nature Photographers.
THE NATURE FIRST PRINCIPLES
Visit the Nature First website for more info.
My photography is all based on three core principles. They ground my work and give it purpose
1. Glorify God.
I believe that the loving God created this beautiful world we live in. Both mine, and nature's only purpose is to bring glory to the Creator. I hope and pray that everything I say and do, including my photography, will, in any and every insignificant way, fulfill this calling. This is my number one principle and you can see it in my symbol; a lens with arrows pointing up. Without this I am nothing, and my work is utterly meaningless.
2. Impact People.
My second wish for my art is that it will impact myself and others in a lasting and meaningful way. I want my photographs to cause emotion, bring people closer to the beauty of the world, and leave them with a thought or smile. I don't want to be a "flash-by" or an Instagram star. I strive every day to make my photos more grounded, more deep, more thoughtful, more true.
3. Promote Smart Protection of the Earth.
As a Christian and naturalist, I believe that we have been given the earth to enjoy, love, and care for. I do my fair share of enjoying, and in all my interactions I attempt to do equal amounts of smart, balanced protection. It is in this line that Nature First comes in. I also use WHCC, a highly eco-conscious print house.
In the 2019 Wildlife in North Carolina competition, I won first and second place in the youth category and second place in the invertebrate category. You can see more here.
I am a Close-Up Photographer of the Year Shortlisted Photographer. CUPOTY is an international competition of the best macro and close up photographers. You can learn more and view my entries here.
I have been a photo of the day winner on The Imaging Resource thirteen times. You can see a list with links here
I was named second place in the 2019 EcoWatch Earth Day photo contest. You can view that here.
I was awarded an honorable mention in The Photograph International Photography Awards. You can see more here.
And that's just the beginning of this incredible journey!