The Butler’s Regional Photography Exhibition aims to support photographers of the region and expose their talent to art lovers who visit The Butler. The Regional Photography exhibition is dynamic and inspiring and showcases an average of 3-4 different regional photographers per year in the museum’s Anne Kilcawley Christman Concourse on the second floor of Beecher Center.

Artist Statement

Images of Nature

Although I’ve been fascinated with photography since my childhood and have owned several cameras for most of my adult life, including having my own darkroom, my passion for landscape and nature photography really exploded around ten years ago.

My wife Janet and I were in Mill Creek Park photographing the autumn foliage when she noticed a bare tree standing out against all of the colors. We pulled over, I got out, set up my tripod and took the shot.

I entered the photo in the annual Mill Creek Park Nature Photography Exhibit and won first place. From that point on I was hooked and spent most of my spare time at the park with my camera.

Since then I’ve been fortunate enough to travel across the USA photographing many of the amazing sites our country has to offer. I’ve also realized that you don’t have to go far from home to capture a beautiful image and that one can be created as close as your backyard if the lighting is right and your imagination is willing.

I would like to give thanks to my family and friends. It’s their support that helps give me the inspiration to continue pursuing my passion.

— John Fire, Photographer