​Tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Jane Brown; I go by “MsKirpi”, as Kirpi is my nickname.  I live in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. I'm 55 years old.  I’m been interested in photography since I was a young woman (my dad was an avid photographer), but really have been able to explore the world with my camera since probably the mid-1970s.  Started with Minolta film cameras (I was living in Japan at the time, and picked up some great deals!) and eventually got into digital about 5 years ago (2007 or 2008) when my dear husband gave me a Canon Rebel XT for Christmas.

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Are you an amateur or a pro photographer?

I would call myself an amateur photographer and photo enthusiast.  Maybe more enthusiasm than skill at this point!
 

What do you like to photograph?

​I really like to photograph the outdoors—nature, animals, landscapes, even "cityscapes" of my small town.  I do like to photograph my grandkids whenever I get the chance (which is not often since they live far away from me).

 

​What is in your photography kit?

I have three cameras at the moment:  Canon Rebel XT, Canon T2i and Canon T3i.  I have Canon 18-55 mm and 70-300mm lenses with image stabilizer, as well as a Sigma 50-500 mm lens.

 

What's your favorite lens?

Probably the 70-300mm lens and why? It’s very versatile and I can use it without a tripod (love that IS feature).

 

​Any favorite photographer(s)?

Ansel Adams is my all-time favorite.  However, one of my good friends, Keri Blue, is a professional photographer (portraits mostly) and she’s on the short list!

 

​Which is your own favorite picture?

It’s a photo of a hazelnut.  We have wild hazelnut bushes along the front of the house, and usually the squirrels and birds get the nuts before we even see them!  One summer day, I managed to capture one of the nuts, still in it’s protective covering, shining in the sunlight.

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What is your dream?

​I want to take a photograph that will leave a stunning image in peoples’ heads—an image that won’t go away!

 

​Any advice or great tips to share?

Carry a camera with you everywhere!  Even if it’s just your smart phone or a little point-and-shoot model.  You never know when a great opportunity will present itself!