theArtists
Mark E. Vollmer
Mark Vollmer is an award-winning outdoor photographer, instructor and freelance writer based in Reno, Nevada. His illustrated feature articles have appeared in Nevada Magazine, and his images have been widely published in regional books, calendars and brochures. Mark’s first book, Tahoe Rim Trail, Exploring the Jewel, which he authored and co-photographed with Reno Gazette-Journal photographer Scott Sady, broke sales records in Reno and Tahoe area bookstores upon its 2003 release.
Mark chooses to use the 35mm format camera for its lightweight versatility that enables him to move easily in the wilderness in search for nature’s special moments of light. His love of photography began with family outings to the Grand Canyon and other Southwest locales as a youngster in Arizona, and later while earning his geology degree in Northern Arizona University. He enjoys sharing with photo workshop students his knowledge and passion for the West that grew out of these early journeys. A student of Galen Rowell, Frans Lanting and David Muench, Mark teaches photo classes of his own through Washoe County Parks, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, and Truckee Meadows Community College. In April 2007, TMCC awarded Mark Part-Time Instructor of the Year, Continuing Education division, for excellence in teaching photography.
Mark has created multi-media presentations of slides matched to music for over 20 years, more recently in collaboration with local singer/songwriters Joyce Vetter and Jim Eaglesmith. Acclaimed for their “multi-sensory” approach to nature-based themes, the shows are performed for schools, service organizations, and other forms of community outreach in Reno and Carson area venues. Watch for their upcoming DVD’s of original music blended with images. Mark also photographs fragile habitats endangered by encroaching development for local non-profit groups, and seasonal garden splendor of the Wilbur D. May Arboretum for its fundraising projects at Rancho San Rafael Park.
Mark’s photographs have hung in galleries in Reno, Sacramento, and South Lake Tahoe. The images on display here reveal his love for the rich natural heritage of Nevada.
Artist Statement
My Vision
The physical and spiritual beauty of the earth and its inhabitants inspire my outdoor photography.
I use dramatic lighting and unusual angles for a creative composition to express on film my insight and feeling for a scene. The professional outdoor photographer has a responsibility to preserve the integrity of the natural environment. In the field, this means treading lightly, so as not to damage any part of the scene that is being photographed. At home, this means sharing the beauty and knowledge of what the photographer has witnessed and promoting, through images, a message of appreciation and preservation.
A successful photograph evokes from the viewer a response similar to the photographer’s original insight and feeling toward the depicted scene. For this emotional connection to happen, the photographer must focus his or her senses before focusing the camera. I explore a location’s lines, patterns, colors, shapes; and listen to sounds and smell fragrances before I take out my camera. This enables me to photograph as an active participant the scene. Using a 35mm camera, as opposed to the heavier medium and large format cameras, allows me freedom for this active involvement in the rugged backcountry where I spend so much time exploring.
Current Projects
I publish work as a photographer and writer; teach photo workshops for Truckee Meadows Community College and Washoe County Parks.
I do photo assignments for non-profit groups that seek to preserve local habitats. Since 1985, I have used multi-media presentations of slides, music and storytelling to share my appreciation of the West’s beauty and history.
I fulfill my desire to share my experiences of the natural environment by giving these programs to schools, community organizations, environmental and science groups. These presentations have led to collaborations, beginning in 1996, with songwriters and musicians; and, together we have presented live multi-media concerts.
For example,” Story Songs”, a collaborative effort with Reno performer/songwriter,
Jim Eaglesmith, links our artistic visions with community outreach, as my collaboration with singer/songwriter Joyce Vetter. Our live concerts
“edutain” audiences through stories, nature-based music, and photographic images of the West and its native inhabitants.
Volunteering my time and talent for non-profit groups such as the
Tahoe Rim Trail Association represents another community outreach project. The TRTA recruited me in 1998 to create a slide show incorporating my Lake Tahoe images with recorded music. Working with other TRTA volunteers, I have presented this show to Northern Nevada and Northern California community groups. Publicity generated by the program brings new volunteers to the trail-building project and is a message of environmental stewardship. Continued success of the slide show inspired me to begin a coffee table photo book project as author and co-photographer. Carmel Publishing Company published the book
“Tahoe Rim Trail, Exploring the Jewel” in November 2003. Supporting our environment comes naturally to the eye of the nature photographer.
View online gallery pieces by this artist