My Covid challenge with a surprising twist

In March 2020 my professional university photography freelance work ended with a barrage of phone calls clearing my full calendar. The uncertainty of the pandemic brought everything for most of us to a halt. After wallowing in depression for a week or so over lost work, I began to see this new gift of time as a blessing. I pledged to use the time to educate myself and take time to do things I’ve always wanted to do. I was resolved that during this coronavirus, my self-isolation would be a constructive, learning experience. I didn’t know what that would be.

I’ve always loved nature, but never had the time to spend or emotional support to enjoy it and make images. Suddenly I had both. I had aquariums full of tadpoles, turtles and crayfish in my bedroom as a kid, and a biology minor from college- remnants of the time I thought about pre-med and went into photojournalism instead. Outdoor photography made sense and would be safe.

This journey began making images of birds near our feeders in our backyard as spring arrived. I tried to learn their habits and capture moments in flight, frustrated with my dated photo equipment which worked fine for things not so elusive. I found this new challenge exhilarating and the time I spent very enjoyable. It soon became my passion and obsession to improve.

As a community photojournalist, I had always been content to photograph the world around me. With the addition of a kayak and some new, more modern mirrorless Sony equipment I began to make images that I was prouder of at home and at our cottage on the Torch River in northern Michigan. Birds doing things became my mantra and using a combination of my photojournalism and artistic skills to tell their story became my new purpose. The learning curve was steep, but I stuck with it and the experiment paid off.

Over the next year I posted to social media and received countless notes from many who were shut-in isolating. They thanked me for bringing joy to their sheltered in place lives. I also had many fellow photographers reach out and tell me I’d inspired them with my dedication and persistence. This gave me a new sense of purpose.

I’ve had decent success in contests during my professional career and numerous colleagues encouraged me to enter my work in the Audubon contest. While a professional photographer, I was by no means in my mind a professional bird photographer. I have always made my living photographing people and telling stories, but this was very new to me. As the deadline drew near, I entered four of my favorite images. I am proud to say of the four, two images- Cardinal in Flight and Circle of Life- swept the professional division of the 2021 North American Audubon Photography Awards- winning first prize and the only professional honorable mention.

I can honestly say I never dreamed where this was headed when I began making bird images on my back porch, that this would turn into anything more than me filling my newfound time and keeping my skills sharp. I truly believe when you set your mind to do anything with a pure intention and passion, good things will follow. I am thankful to my wife Brenda for her continuous love and encouragement and to my kids, family and friends for hitting the like button and telling me to keep it up. It’s something I plan to do until I can’t anymore.

Steve Jessmore

7/2021