Artist Statement
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My photography is rooted in a love for the natural world and a fascination with the dynamic connections between wildlife and the places they inhabit. I am especially drawn to birds and wetlands—ecosystems that, to me, embody both fragility and resilience. Through my lens, I try to capture not only the beauty of these environments, but also the stories they tell about survival, balance, and interdependence.
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As a self-taught naturalist, I’ve come to see photography as a form of stewardship. Each image is both a work of art and a reminder of the importance of conserving habitats that sustain life. Whether I’m exploring the mountains of Western North Carolina, walking the tidal flats near Hilton Head Island, or traveling farther afield, I approach my work with the same intent: to notice, to learn, and to share what I find.
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My background in literature and journalism continues to influence my practice. Storytelling, attention to detail, and a respect for language have naturally carried over into the way I frame and interpret the natural world. Founding Wink Gaines Photographer| AluminArte Collection in 2012 allowed me to merge these passions—presenting fine art photographs in a form that highlights both their vibrancy and permanence.
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Ultimately, my work is about honoring the wild—inviting viewers to pause, look closely, and feel a deeper connection to the living world around them.
The Real Me
"You're the photographer?" I get that question with a quizzical look every time I'm showing my collection at market. The next question, usually asked with eyebrows raised high, is "and YOU took these pictures?"
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First and foremost, I am a working wildlife and nature photographer. When I'm not in the showroom, I'm dressed in camo and tweeds, carrying a backpack full of lenses and a camera, and "hunting' in far-flung locales to record nature's wonders. Bird photography is my specialty but photographing the beauty of all creatures and lands is my passion.
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Since 2011, many of my bird and wildlife images have received national commendation from Audubon and the Audubon calendar in addition to Nature's Best Photography magazine. In 2015, the National Wildlife Federation highlighted my photograph of a Great Horned Owl as Bird of the Year. So my answer is always a happily definitive "Yes!" to both questions. It's what I do! It's who I am!
In addition to my profession of photographing wildlife and nature, I am principal and founder of Wink Gaines | Photographer and the AluminArte Collection. Established in 2012, the AluminArte print process redefines and refines the art and display of individually crafted photographic images for residential. commercial, and hospitality venues. Through the pairing of photography with innovative print materials, nature, technology, sustainability and high design meet.
AWARDS
2024
National Wildlife Federation membership card cover image
2018
Best Of High Point Furniture Market
2015- 2012-2011
Audubon Photography Contest Top 100 Birds of the Year
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2015
NWF Bird Division Overall Winner
2014
CNPA Choice Award in Advanced Category
2013
Top 300 Wilderness Forever Semi-Finalist
When I was asked by childhood friend Ellen Hemphill, founder of Archipelago Theatre and noted professor of Theater Studies at Duke University, to provide wildlife photographs and videos for her legacy film, North: A Love Letter, I was both excited and challenged.
Hemphill's film confronts with distressing clarity the toll of climate change and the price that animals pay because of human excess and neglect. After consulting with Hemphill and other creative contributors, I was motivated to share the beautiful and life-changing moments I have spent with animals in the wild as a way of changing perceptions about the value and quality of all life.
North: A Love Letter has been the recipient of several international film awards in 2022 including the SAOS Award for Best Wildlife Film at the Universal Film Festival Samothraki in Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Watch it below...
Associations
