See you in the woods!

Last Saturday I had the unique opportunity to meet and visit with Arkansas' Wilderness Photographer, Tim Ernst at his home called Cloudland in NWA near the Buffalo River.  Wesley and I were lucky enough to have a day with nothing to shoot, and also lucky enough to catch Tim on a day he was not shooting in the woods.  

Wesley and Tim are two of the best and most successful photographers in Arkansas.  It was a privilege to sit and listen to them talk and ask each other questions about how their own businesses work.  There is so much more to being a professional photographer than just taking good pictures.  Along with the guidebooks, maps, picture books, and calendars, Tim also runs his own publishing company, does slide programs, and recently built the Buffalo River Gallery, where he does his photo workshops and displays large canvas prints (which he prints himself of course).   Tim interviewed Wesley for a new podcast feature on his website.  You can hear it at www.huevosrancheros.com

I love reading along with Tim's descriptions in the guidebooks of trails as I hike them.  Tim has a specific style of writing he uses in these books, and admits that he basically gives directions for a living.  At one point toward the end of our visit, Tim began to give us directions on how to drive back to Fayetteville a different way than we had come in.  I was happy to actually hear him give directions in person instead of just reading them in the guidebook.   I got a little giddy when he started telling us specific mileage to the turn offs, and I about lost it when he warned us about the dirt road dropping with a 17% grade on what he and his family call "The Hill".   I guess I am a bigger fan than I thought.  A great experience and a great day.  Thanks Tim and Wes.