Jeffrey Sweet
Being a Springfield native, I have a strong connection to all things natural. An avid adventurer, I spent countless hours hiking, camping, kayaking, and just kicking around the Ozarks. My love of nature compelled me to complete a Natural Resource and Wilderness Management degree from the University of Idaho. Working as a sled dog handler in Minnesota, a backcountry wilderness ranger in Washington, and a backpacking and climbing guide in the southwest helped shape the true meaning of all things wild and the importance of nature in my life.
My love affair with photography began with my first point and shoot camera at the age of fifteen. Chronicling the world around me was a passion, but it wasn't until I returned to the Ozarks in the late 1990s that a serious study of the natural world through the lens began. Combining my two loves, I create photographic images that focus on the inherent beauty of form, shape, color, and design that are so often overlooked in the frantic rush of life. My portrait images focus on each individual person, spotlighting the personality of my subject so often pushed to the back of a portrait. I use very little in the way of props, instead choosing to highlight the eyes, smiles, and character of my subject.
My philosophy is simple: Stop often and explore the world around you...you may find something unexpected and wonderful.
