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Sunny Walter, Washington Photographer

© Jerri Brooker

Sunny Walter and I met on the internet when I asked for a one-time use of a photograph she took at Skamokawa's Paddle Center and Estuary in Southwest Washington for a past article I wrote ( http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/wash... ). She graciously agreed.

She has since let me know she has a new book out, Washington Nature Weekends, published by Falcon Publishing. I thought you might enjoy reading about it in the following interview. But first, about Sunny and her craft.

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Question: Tell us a little about who you are and what your connection is to Washington State? Are you a local?

Answer: I’m originally from the Midwest, but I feel like a native because I’ve lived in the Puget Sound region for over 40 years. I was a systems engineer at Boeing in 1995 when they announced an excellent one-time early retirement package. I took it without a backward look to follow my dream of travel and nature photography. I live on a mountain south of Issaquah (east of Seattle) with my daughter and lots of wildlife, but spend a lot of time traveling. I have a small hard-sided A-Frame tent trailer with all the amenities for living, photographing, and writing in the field. When I am home I write, do research on the Web, and design Web sites for nature, photography, and environmental clients.

Q: What was the catalyst for a career in photography?

A: I have always loved the great outdoors and have been an avid sailboat racer, backpacker, ski instructor, and hiker. I always took snapshots during these activities. One year I had a woman living in my home who was really into nature photography. I signed up for a photography course at Bellevue Community College so the quality of our monthly slideshows wouldn’t be so lopsided, and fell in love with nature photography. It slowed me down so I could see the wonders of nature that were all around me rather than always being destination oriented. Now I use my nature photography as a great excuse to get out of the house and travel to places of great beauty and solitude where wildlife is supreme.

Q: What's your specialty? Are there certain areas/objects that you like to photograph more than others?

A: Oh, yes. Early in my photographic career, I was known for dramatic light scenics – the spectacular images you can capture in the magic light near sunrise and sunset. Then I started taking pictures of wildlife and I was hooked. When I look into the eyes of a marmot, a bighorn sheep, or a wolf I see the majesty and beauty of a creature that has the right to share this world with us, not be driven out of it. When I see a pair of courting avocets, an eagle soaring overhead, or an osprey feeding its young, I am filled with awe. When I photograph wildlife now, I’m trying to capture their essence so that people can see what I see when I’m out in nature. Then, perhaps, they will understand why saving habitat is so important and will get involved with an environmental action group.

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