Go 4 It - Colleen Miniuk-Sperry - episode 125

Go For It!

Sleep When You're Dead - Colleen Miniuk-Sperry

Today’s featured guest is Colleen Miniuk-Sperry

Colleen is an outdoor photographer based in Chandler Arizona. She has authored 3 books, instructs for many workshops, and she is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA). From corporate America to becoming a full time freelance photographer I am excited to have you on the show today!

Note from Rob: Now Photo World it has been months since I have had an episode go much further than my usual 30 minutes of amazing content but today is nearly twice that. After getting to know Colleen a bit I knew that she had a lot to share with you as you grow on your own journey's. Also I can't even remember the last time I wet over all of my questions for an interview. I am glad to say that today's episode is saturated with value and as a thank you for all this wonderful free content I ask that you share this interview with your facebook and twitter networks to let more people know they are welcome to join Photo World and the Take & Talk Pics Podcast.

Hi! My name is Colleen Miniuk-Sperry (pronounced "Min-ick-Spare-ee"). I'm a Corporate-America-escapee-turned-full-time-freelance-outdoor-photographer-and-writer, supporting a wide range of assignments for editorial and commercial clients. Specializing in outdoor recreation, nature, conservation, and travel, my work has been published in National Geographic calendars, Arizona Highways magazine, books, and calendars, Outdoor Photographer, AAA Highroads, AAA VIA, Extraordinary Vision, National Parks Traveler, Smith-Southwestern calendars, and a broad variety of other publications.

In November 2011, I co-authored and published the award-winning book, Wild in Arizona: Photographing Arizona’s Wildflowers, A Guide to When, Where, and How with my good friend and fellow photographer, Paul Gill. After selling out the 1st edition, we published the 2nd edition of this title in March 2015.

In addition, I've been selected three times as an Artist-in-Residence with Acadia National Park in Maine (November 2010, October 2011, and January 2013) which enabled me to author and publish mysecond award-winning guidebook, Photographing Acadia National Park: The Essential Guide to When, Where, and How in February 2014. In July 2015, I published my first instructional photography eBook titled, Seeing the Light in Outdoor Photography.

I'm just as excited to help others learn photography as I am making my own images, so I've proudly led photography workshops for the Arizona Highways Photography Workshops (AHPW), Moab Photography Symposium, The Nature Conservancy, Arizona Wildlife Federation's "Becoming an Outdoor Woman," Through Each Others Eyes, and numerous private clients.

As an active Associate of Through Each Other Eyes (TEOE), I have proudly participated in cultural photographic exchanges and international exhibitions with Japan, Mexico, and Canada.

Being a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) has allowed me the opportunity for unrivaled personal growth and new friendships with like-minded and extremely talented outdoor communicators. I've served as a Board Member since September 2013 and have won numerous Excellence in Craft awards for my photography, book, and blog, as well as the prestigious 2010 President’s Choice Award, the 2013 People’s Choice Award, and the 2014 and 2015 Outstanding Board Member Award.

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