Toni Lankerd's Biography I have lived in southwestern Michigan for most of my life, immigrating to the United States at a young age from the Netherlands. After acquiring my first camera at the age of 12, my interest in photography grew (as I did through the years). My first 35mm SLR was a Pentax ME Super, which, at the beginning, I mainly used to record family milestones and vacations. After taking a short course in photography, and with encouragement from the instructor, my interest became more intense. I began focusing my photographic endeavors on scenic and landscape images due, in part, to my love of Nature. My confidence became stronger and pushed me to move on to other subjects in the natural world: macro/closeups, flowers, and wildlife. Living along the shores of Lake Michigan provides me with the endless opportunities for nature photography....from the sand dunes to wildflowers and waterfowl. In addition to Nature's creations, I expanded my photographic base to include people and man-made subjects, such as architecture and (one of my personal favorites) lighthouses. I have used various film media to record my subjects: slides, B&W, and infrared film. In 2005 I acquired my first DSLR, which brought about a renewed interest in photography. As a professional, I view photography as an art form. As such, I try to stir the soul of the viewer - whether it be a single flower with morning dewdrops poised to let go, or a lighthouse frozen in ice during the death of winter. I strive to capture the real world around us - showing Nature's compassion and wrath, along with people, from infants to seniors.