Inspiration :: If we could see the miracle of a single flower then our whole lives would change... Eastern Proverb	Samantha Byrnes is a Denver-based computer-geek-turned-photographer. A love of flowers drew Samantha to photography, and through the camera's lens she found a new way to see the world - that beauty surrounds us in tiny details every day and all anyone has to do is be truly present in the moment.
	Following a philosophy that as few things as possible should be between her and her subject, she works within a very minimalist studio setup, without tripods or rail systems, the sun as her sole source of illumination. Her work is available locally in Denver area at Abloom in Highlands Ranch. When not working on her photography she enjoys reading Japanese haiku late at night, indulging her coffee habit, and attending classes at a local dojo. www.WildLotusPhotography.com Email :: sam@wildlotusphotography.com Facebook :: http://facebook.com/WildLotusPhotography Instagram online :: www.instagram.com/sami8901 Instagram :: #wildlotusphotography Blog :: www.ImpressionsOfWaterlily.me

Artist Statement...

"In my mind art, Buddhism and the dojo are very entwined. The martial arts style I practiced while growing up was derived from a style practiced by Zen Buddhist monks in Japan, and while my teachers didn't openly teach the religions aspects of our practice, the basic tenants could be found underpinning the martial arts system. And those same tenants underpin my life to this day as well. Its always interesting to look back and realize which experiences have had the most impact. It was at the dojo ~ 12 years ago that I first learned to flow, and even today, with a life full of responsibilities, with managing a department and running a business, its one of the things in my life that keeps me grounded. I got into what people have told me is botanical photography through my obsession with plants. At any given time there are fresh flowers all over the apartment, orchids covering the window sill by my desk at work, and bulb catalogs laying everywhere. Now I simply have a more justifiable reason for my Poison-Ivy tendencies, and my obsession is a tax deduction. Photographing flowers grew naturally out of my fascination, and now its taken on a life of its own, walking around and collecting plants like a Godzilla monster collecting cars. It makes me giggle sometimes. I mean I have a background in science, engineering and computers, and if someone had told me even three years ago that I'd be this immersed in art I'd've thought they were out of their minds. Sometimes we stumble upon something that we're meant to do, and for me this is one of those things."