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Staff Writer

Justin Tedford Fine Art Photography

tedfordphoto.com

It all began with a creative spark that has always been a part of me. From my early days of painting and drawing, there was an underlying passion waiting to be unleashed through the lens of a camera. My first real encounter with photography happened unexpectedly on a vacation when my aunt lent me her 35mm SLR. Despite the shutter malfunctioning on the very first day, that moment marked my introduction to the world of photography.

In high school, photography started as an easy A but quickly transformed into something far more profound. It ceased to be just a grade; it became a driving force, a passion that has endured through the years.

The enchantment of watching my first print emerge in the red glow of the darkroom's safe light is a memory etched in my soul. They say our past shapes who we are, and growing up amidst the hills and farmlands of Harrison County, Iowa, profoundly influenced my style. The Loess Hills and the vibrant communities there molded my artistic vision, inspiring me to capture the essence of what many see as just a fly-over state.

I'm not the photographer you'll find in a studio snapping portraits of seniors. Instead, I'm the one whose car is perpetually coated in gravel dust, navigating the rural landscapes and winding back roads of Iowa. I'm more than a photographer; I'm a husband, a photo educator, and an explorer, capturing the heart of Iowa's agriculture and rural communities before they fade into distant memory.

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