An Exclusive Interview with Tisha Clinkenbeard

It is extremely exciting and I am honored to be selected as the 2nd place winner of Photo of the Month. I love sharing my photos with people and adding a bit of color and happiness to their day.

My late mother-in-law planted many varieties of lilies in one of our flower beds, as we live in the house my husband grew up in and each time I take a photo of the flowers I am reminded of her. I specifically love the lilies because of the very light color of the center of the flower, in this case yellow, against the dark petal colors. My favorite part is always the pollen, or as I call it the “pixy dust”, on the flower.

It is a journey of learning, paying attention to details, perspectives and, most of all, appreciation for what I have been blessed to see and then to share via the photos.

I grew up in rural Texas small town. I’ve lived in the big cities. Since the majority of my photos are nature oriented I think they are influenced by my rural upbringing. Traveling has truly become an influence over the last year and a half. Whether it be big city or rural America I love sharing the adventure with people.

Not any particular genre appeals to me more than others. I look for the beauty, different perspective, moments and places that are relevant in my adventures. I really am a “click as I go along” photographer.

When I first think that I want to take a photo of something I tend to look at it from different physical perspectives and also from different mental/emotional perspectives. For instance, I get down to the level of flowers - on my knees so as I am not taking a photo standing over the flower. I try to find the interesting viewpoint on the photos - not just the normal view.

My first exhibit was at the Hot Springs Fine Art Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA. I was very honored and excited to share two of my photos in a juried exhibit. To be chosen was an honor and to know that my photos would be shared with people for a month was a joyous feeling.

I try to follow photographer groups in various social media outlets. Most of the time I feel that I don’t quite fit in with the “normal” photographer - I don’t own a DSLR and I don’t usually go out with a specific purpose to take photos - unless I am traveling and then it is with the intent to capture the experience. But I do learn from the conversations in the groups that I follow.

It’s all about sharing. Do you want to share your photo? Do you want to share your story? If yes, then go for it.