Photography has always been a part of my life. As a child, dad was constantly taking photos of the family, nature and later in life work. I was usually in front of the camera. I never really had an interest in creating images until I began to travel, even though I was an art student in different medias, at Maryland Institute College of Art. I took my first photography workshop in 1997 with John and Barbara Gerlach. I received the suggested list of gear to have in order to maximize the experience and shortly realized I was in over my head. What the heck was a spot meter? So I did some quick research and purchased a Nikon N90S.

I decided to take the digital leap in 2006, after having the experience of using Nikon's slide scanner and working a little in Photoshop.I bought my first Mac in 2004 and I was ready to take the plunge.

I enjoy being behind the viewfinder where every other thought in the world disappears, trying to capture the most beautiful images possible. My articles and images have been published in Nature Photographer Magazine, iPhoneLife Magazine, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Calendar and in the Maryland Wine Association News.

In 2008 I decided to give the Photo biz a try, with my first Gallery Show. I have subsequently had images displayed in the Rehoboth Art League, and The Seaford Historical Museum; in support of the Smithsonian Museum's traveling show "Fences". Currently I have images on display at More Than Fine Framing in Ruxton, Md.

I have retired from teaching and leading photo workshop tours. I instructed at Johns Hopkins University in the Odyssey Program, Click here for JHU I conducted workshops and lectured for Capital Photography Center in Washington DC. Click here for Capital Photography Center I have lectured at the Mid-Atlantic Photography Expo on Impressionism in Photography;Creative Macro Photography;iPhoneography and in Washington, D.C. during PhotoWeek on the Art of Seeing Creative Compositions and Color Theory. I moved to Oahu, Hawaii in February of 2018 and am currently reestablishing myself in my new home.
You can find me on Facebook too! Karen Messick


AWARDS AND HONORS
2013 3rd Annual Mobile Photo Awards Honorable Mention

Maryland Governors Cup Photography Competition 2009

1st Place Black and White "Stowing the Jib"
2nd Place Color "Ready for the Start"
HM Color "Reflection"

Department of Natural Resources Calendar Contest

2009 Wild Plants Second Place : "Trillium"
2009 Mountains to the Bay: First Place: "Governor’s Cup Setting Sail"
2007 Third Place: Spiderwort

Baltimore Camera Club

2009 Medal of Excellence
2009 Best Color Print "Stormy Morning"