Chasing Sunsets and Waterfalls

Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: Winter 2024

“I do what I love and find the customer later.” – Michele Schwartz

Imagine spending years establishing an online following, 70,000 devotees to be exact. Then, in an instant, have it all vanish. No warning, No explanation. No retrieval.

That happened to local photographer Michele Schwartz. Her burgeoning career was swallowed-up by a huge black cyber hole. That would be soul-crushing for most artists. But for Michele, over time (as the song goes), she picked herself up, dusted herself off, and started all over again.

She shares her backstory: “I began photography 15 years ago. On a vacation I fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains and Smokies. The region continued to call me back five to six visits a year. While here, I made time to be in the moment, be present, and welcome the calling.”

She spent every hiking-moment absorbing the panoramic beauty. And it wasn’t just visual. It was sensorial, emotional and healing.

She bought a digital camera. Snap, snap, snap – her shutter button ablaze. She carried the Blue Ridge Mountains in her pockets to absorb their energy, like patches of spiritual medicine.

She says, “I never thought I’d make a living selling photographs.”

But she trusted her journey. She connected with Cynthia Strain, also a remarkable photographer, who encouraged her to participate in her annual shows. Michele was surprised to meet people who’d seen her work in other venues. It stoked her fires to know there were people out there who remembered her. An artistic re-birth was blossoming.

To rebuild her business, she sold her condo, made the leap, and moved to the place that nourished her most, the Highlands area.

“Now photography is my career,” she says. “I am blessed to chase waterfalls and sunsets all day long – and get paid to do it.”

Michele’s eye is that of a veteran pro. Capturing perfect light comes naturally to her. She says, “God gave me a gift, so it’s my job to use it. I try to capture beauty of the world to share with others.”

When you see her landscapes, skyscapes, mountainscapes, waterfalls, and dramatic cloud formations, it’s clear why jaws drop and eyes pop.

And who can say? Perhaps her horrific loss became a gift in disguise.

Okay, that’s stretching it, but whatever road-bumps veered her journey toward us, we are glad she and her magical eye were guided to our patch of paradise. By the way, her magical eye has its sights on establishing a small gallery on Main in a few years. Keep posted.

See Michele’s work in The Bascom gift shop, Calders Coffee Cafe, Facebook, andmydivinelandscapes.com, or selected local shows.