Vancouver-based photographer Elizabeth Gadd captures the beauty of getting lost in nature. The 20-year-old photographer, who first discovered her passion for photography in 2007, has developed an admirable appreciation for natural environments, finding a sense of peace amidst various refreshing settings.
Whether it's calmly sitting in a field, deep in the forest, high up in the mountains, or by the water, Gadd manages to encapsulate a sense of ease and release. She tells us, “Being the quietest and perhaps shyest person in my family, I developed a deep connection with animals, and often sought the silence of going for long walks with my dog to my favourite places in nature… and my love for nature grew and grew!”
We were lucky enough to ask the photographer a few questions about her work. Be sure to read that interview, below.
What inspires your work?
At first, it was animals I photographed all the time (along with a few landscapes). Around 2009-2010, I made friends on Flickr with a lot of photographers who inspired me to start taking creative self-portraits. Over the year, my photographer eye developed and simultaneously my love for nature deepened. I soon realized how impactful the surrounding scenery could be in my creative self-portraiture, so by the end of 2010 I was mixing landscapes and people together. It's no surprise that British Columbia's lovely landscapes have become my biggest inspiration. I only have to take one look at the mountains before instantly feeling inspired to take a photo portraying that awe-inspiring moment of human interaction with nature.
The landscapes in your images are absolutely beautiful. How does shooting in nature affect your photography?
I usually always have this sense of peace when I'm shooting in nature, and I think that shows in my photos (or so people have said). When I take the time to slow down and really look at things, like how the sun glows through the trees and how the clouds swirl over the mountain tops, I realize over and over again how beautiful it is, and I want these beautiful silent moments to show in my photos.
What do you hope viewers take away from your images?
Taking these photos really helps me to relax and focus on the positive things in life. It's almost like a way of meditation, really. I want other people to feel these peaceful moments too, so I hope that by sharing these photos I can share a little bit of peace with everyone.
