About Michele Crawford Fine Art Nature & Wildlife Photography

“Here…. Make Grandmother’s Picture.” That’s how it all started. When I was a very young child, I remember my grandmother loved to have her picture taken. Once I was old enough to operate the camera, she showed me how to do it and would hand the camera to me to take her picture while she posed. She knew I liked operating the camera over one of her grown children, who was usually tending to other children. 

After years using a 110 and whatever else my grandmother had in the 1970’s, my mother bought me my first 35mm for my 16th Birthday. Then I got my first telephoto lens for high school graduation.  

Like most photographers I dabbled in a little commercial work and did a few weddings before I totally realized where my heart was with my photography. 

I have loved the natural world for as long as I can remember. My mother would to have threaten me to come in the house so we could all go to bed. I was mesmerized by nearly everything that I discovered. My mother hated it when I discovered how cute green snakes were and that they like laying around my neck. I never fell in love though with spiders; and never will. 

After meeting my husband, I used my camera equipment and time to photograph for him. Shortly after our marriage he began working on his dreams to pursue a career as a Wildlife Artist. Thanks to him wanting to paint so many different subject matters, I unknowingly was polishing up my skills with the camera and learning about wildlife habitats and habits so as to capture some great images for his paintings.

The more I was out in nature, the more I loved it so much, I just had to get back out as often as possible. Unlike painting all day, my work doesn’t always end the day with success. While I may spend hours with different critters, opportunities for great images don’t always happen. But what I get to see and witness is priceless, whether it results in a stunning photograph or not. Some of my recent favorite memories are watching a mother duck take care of 11 babies. Teaching them to dive and to swim through rapids. Sitting underneath giant Live Oaks watching Barred Owl parents care for their owlets that had just fledged the nest. As the sun was rising, they communicated back and forth through a “cooing “sound. Then you never forget watching mother bears.  Mom and cub interactions will melt your heart.

The longer I spend outside, the more I am amazed at everything God created. Sometimes, I don’t get anywhere that I had intended to, because so many little things catch my eye. Once I see them, I want to learn about them. Two of favorite subject matters is wildflowers and birds. My husband and I journal all the bird species we see, and I’m trying to find all my favorite wildflowers in Rabun County. Several of them I have found in the Southern Appalachians, but my goal is finding as many as possible in Rabun. 

My interests in all living things (except spiders) continues to evolve. I am looking forward to expanding my travels in the next couple of years to try to capture a few different species on my bucket list. 

I am beyond blessed to be doing what I truly love. My hope is to find more ways to use my work in conservation efforts, and I hope that those who are no longer able or just don’t have the time can find some joy in looking at what I’m able to share through my photography.