As Naturalist – Pamela’s experience with plants outdoors was limited during her youth because of allergies. It did not exile her to the indoors, she began collecting butterflies at age 6.  Pamela still has her collection 50 years later intact, including donations from her parents’ travels and a teacher. She spent many wonderful hours observing her mother’s wonderful garden, appreciating the diversity of the plant world through her garden as well as Missouri Botanical (“Shaw’s”) Garden.    As Photographer –   Pam watched her father’s enjoyment of photography. In college her interest in photography blossomed when she met Steve, her future husband. His hobby happened to be photography; from him she learned to read light meters and use manual SLR cameras. Looking for a temporary job while she waited for a teaching position as a newly wed in Chicago, Pamela took a receptionist position at a portrait studio. Two years later she and Steve purchased the studio, beginning a 22 year career as portrait and wedding photographers. She earned her Certified Professional Photographer degree in 1991.  She chose to capture images of flowers and wild life in her garden to for pleasure, combining her love of nature with her new love of photography. As Teacher – Excitement of learning, observing and questioning makes teaching science a natural fit for her. Sharing her butterfly collection and nature photography with her young students allows her to show them the fun and excitement in being a scientist; amateur or professional. It helps guide her students in their own explorations of the natural world around them in their lives.

Certified Professional Photographer 1991