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The Cook County News-Herald is thrilled to announce that a group of great local amateur and professional photographers have agreed to submit pictures to the newspaper for your enjoyment. We will introduce these men and women over the next few weeks so you can get to know who is behind the camera.
Some of these photographers have excellent websites with their work for sale or just for your viewing pleasure. We will include these websites and hope you visit them because you will find that what we can show on our pages is just a small sampling of their hard work and amazing talent
Meet Sarah McGann
Q- Please tell us a little bit about where you grew up and what you did, or currently do, for work. Also include your age, family, and where you live, if you like.
A- My father was in the Navy, and we moved and traveled a lot before settling in southern Georgia. After my second year studying biology at Florida State University, I accepted a summer internship at Grand Portage National Monument. It was a large weather adjustment from Florida, but I fell in love with this gorgeous lake, welcoming community, and long summer hikes.
Photo by Sarah McGann
I was a park guide at the monument for four years, a zookeeper for 11 years, and did marketing, social media, and photography for a resort group in South Carolina for five years. Zoo keeping gave me insight into animal behavior and experience with contributing to zoo blogs, and my marketing position trained me to use a DSLR camera to take photos of the resorts and edit them with Lightroom and Photoshop.
I recently moved back to Grand Portage to help out at the national monument, and now I’m excited to be the new Benefits Clerk at the Reservation Tribal Council Office. It has been such a good way to get to know this awesome community, and moving back here is the best decision that I’ve ever made.
Q- What or who inspired you to become a photographer? And when did you first start taking pictures?
A- I took a photography course in college, but I started doing a lot more nature photography when I moved to Minnesota. That was 20 years ago (there’s my age lol) and before digital cameras, but I had a little Canon Rebel film camera, and a point and shoot that was lighter to carry.
Being back on the North Shore makes me want to take photos every time I step out of my door. We’re always surrounded by impressive nature and dramatically changing seasons. I’m also lucky enough to live and travel with Travis Novitsky. Our photography styles and interests are different, but his talent and knowledge of this area are a constant inspiration.
Q- How much time during a given week do you spend on your photography?
A-I take photos of the lake on my way back and forth to work, and most weekends include a drive up the lake shore or into the interior for photos. I would guess about eight hours a week.
Q- Is this a hobby or something you want to turn into a profession?
A- Now that I’m not working in marketing, photography is a fun hobby and creative expression for me. I’m currently exploring an interest in watercolor painting and children’s book illustration, and I would love to use my own photos as references for future artwork.
Q- Do you have a favorite season to shoot pictures? Or favorite time of day, night, or weather you like to take pictures in?
A- I enjoy taking photos of small details in nature, so it is easier to capture them in full light such as early afternoon. I also like going out at sunset to get videos of the lake with my tripod. Our light window is pretty narrow in the winter time!
Q- What is your favorite subject matter? Nature? Animals? Birds? People?
A- I find myself drawn to patterns created by ice and shadows, birch bark, and small plants. I definitely grab photos of our local wildlife whenever the opportunity presents. I was a bird keeper for much of my time in zoos, so I will always have an interest in bird watching and bird photography.
Q- What is your favorite camera that you use? If you have several favorites, you can include those as well.
A- I have a Nikon D3500 DSLR, which is a small downgrade from the Nikon that we used in my marketing position. The body feels a little “cheaper” but it takes excellent photos, and I like the color capturing on Nikons right now. It has a 18-55mm, 1:3.5-5.6G lens, so I have to borrow Travis’ Sony with a better zoom when there is a cool bird shot available! I also use my phone’s camera a lot – phone quality shots are just fine for social media.
Sarah’s pictures can be found here: Ottergarden’s Minnesota Backyard: ottergardens.wordpress.com
Instagram: @ottergarden
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