Christine Merchent knows golf and she knows photography. Nearly a decade ago, Merchent took up the art of photography and hasn’t looked back. Her work has been featured in PGA Golf Magazine, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Style & Clothing, From Photographer to Gallery Artist, and the iTunes “What’s Hot” list.
How did you get involved in photography? How long have you been practicing?
When the late Pamela Mougin became our family photographer in 2007, I saw her create amazing artwork from images she captured in our backyard. Now I was really interested, so I took and finished by first online photography class in October of 2009 and haven’t stopped studying since.
What is your goal as a photographer?
I like to tell stories with my photography. With “Ballerinas on the Green,” it’s all self-reflective and autobiographical. I’m taking stories that I see play out every day and adding a twist to make them more interesting. Since the dawn of time with the cave dwellers, they painted the buffalos on the wall, what they saw every day. Then with the ancient Egyptians, they did the same thing but to add emphasis, they made the Pharaoh huge. The ballerinas are my Pharaohs, adding importance to my everyday life.
What are your favorite sources of inspiration?
Everyday life. Lovely and intriguing things develop before our eyes every day. I have the great blessing of being able to capture them with my camera.
Learn more on her website.
Nickel Plate Arts cultivates arts resources to enrich the lives of everyone who experiences our community. A commitment to creativity, leadership, innovation, efficiency and individual dignity guides what we do and how we do it. Nickel Plate Arts serves eastern Hamilton County, from Fishers to Atlanta. To carry out our mission and spirit of collaboration, we also engage with neighboring cities and towns. Learn more at nickelplatearts.org, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.