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- Flowering Quince Leaves and Fruit
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- Burning Bush Leaves and Berries
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- Locust Leaves and Pods
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- Virgin’s Bower Leaves and Flowers
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- Red Oak Leaves and Acorn
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- Gingko Leaves and Fruit
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- Milkweed Pod and Seeds
Carole Smith Berney
Botanical Portraits
The natural world—whether in the wild or near urban settings—is the focus of my photographic work. Photography connects me to the natural world in an intimate and immediate way and anchors me. I feel an emotional connection to the living things I photograph.
Wandering out of doors is an energizing and joyful endeavor for me, as is the making of photographs to share revelatory discoveries with others. I am personally motivated by the belief that the love and appreciation of our living planet can lead to the protection of its environment.
In these botanical photographs, I isolate a small piece of nature to reveal its uniqueness. They are visual descriptions, or portraits, that emphasize the special qualities of the subject through the details of color, texture, rhythm, and form, without distractions. As “studies” depicting the individuality of particular varieties of plants, they enhance our appreciation of a striking world up close that might go unnoticed from a distance.
Artist Bio
Carole Smith Berney, M.A., is a wildlife photographer, naturalist, and writer based in Watertown, MA. Her lifetime interest in the natural world derives from growing up on the edge of wooded areas in Trumbull, Connecticut.
Her emphasis has been on enhancing the community’s appreciation of the biodiversity of the natural world close to urban settings through her visual studies of diverse flora and fauna, and numerous presentations, which include projected images accompanied by narration and music.
Her previous work has focused on the wildlife along the Charles River and in other urban “green” spaces in the greater Boston area. Her solo exhibits and multimedia presentations have been featured in libraries, community centers, retirement communities, Audubon centers, schools, and restaurants. Her recent project, “Botanical Portraits,” is currently featured in the Atelier 29 exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Photography.
Awards include “Best Science Feature” in Highlights for Children for her photographic essay “Big Night at the Vernal Pool”; a Gold Star Award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for her field guide “Wildflowers Along the Charles River,” published by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation; the Environmental Preservation Award from the Watertown Historical Commission; and several grants awarded by the Watertown and Belmont Cultural Councils.
Her publications include River Walk, a picture book for pre-readers, and The Charles River Through a Photographer’s Eyes, a photographic essay appreciating the wildlife along the Charles River path.
Contact Carole Smith Berney