Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheri Freeman.
Hi Cheri, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I like to say that it only took me 59 years to find my passion. I never felt that I had any artistic leanings but have always been fairly analytical and my chosen career in starting my own company in the healthcare industry 20 years prior reflected that.
Lockdown in 2020 really changed my perspective, I think it did for a lot of people. I took up photography at that time as a hobby out of sheer boredom because business was extremely slow. The big surprise was that I fell in love with it! Who knew?
I quickly became drawn to nature, spending as much time outdoors exploring and photographing as I could. As I began putting myself out there and sharing my work, I discovered that folks genuinely liked it. My photography not only gave ME joy and connection to nature, but it also reached others and gave them that same sense of connection.
A few good friends urged me to get serious about my “art” (I was like, “art? you mean my photographs?” lol) and so I set up a website and started entering my images into exhibits. I love looking at the work of other photographers and I’ve come to realize that photography is, in fact, an artistic expression of the photographer who is conveying a message, a feeling, or a story through their work.
A couple of years ago, I started displaying my work in local exhibits and galleries which was a real confidence booster. Right now, I am working on a project photographing a Central Texas cattle ranch that has been owned and operated by a single family for over a century. From antique structures to modern day ranching scenes, as well as the cattle and abundant wildlife, it has been a true joy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I had to get over the imposter syndrome, get over the negative comments of others, and really put myself out there–in other words–be vulnerable.
Some lessons I have learned are to let go of the past and use the naysayers as motivation. I’ve learned to not only accept compliments, but to actually believe them, and most of all find joy in what I do!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Nature and wildlife photography has become my niche. I think that is where I found myself over and over again because of the peace and joy that it gives me.
I don’t want to simply document a subject, but to capture that feeling with my images; a moment in time that connects the viewer to the natural world around us, produces a feeling of joy, makes them laugh, or tells a story.
I think I am most proud of being able to help others to appreciate the wonder, joy, and lessons that can be learned in nature and wildlife through my photographs.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think we will see photography used more and more as a tool to promote awareness about the need to preserve our wildlife and the natural environments around us.
I also think that photography will used to promote nature therapy, encouraging folks to get out in nature as a proven means to improve their physical and mental well-being.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cherifreeman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imagesbycherifreeman/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imagesbycher
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjo2JeUtLFL3BDShBLALQPw/channels
- Other: https://www.cherifreemanartprints.com/
