Photos Put a Spotlight on Nature

Alechia Swaim has been interested in photography since she took a class in high school. Since then she has taken hundreds of photos of wildlife, nature, her children and still life scenes.

More than 20 of her photos of varied sizes are now on display at. They can be re-printed in different sizes, and are for sale.

She said her favorite is a close-up of two beetles on a leaf, because of the deep jewel tones, red and green, of the beetles’ shells.

The 31-year-old mother of two said she finds beauty in the ordinary, like an old chair on a porch or a close-up shot of an insect.

 “I see it more like art, I take pictures of things others might not think to take a picture of,” she said.

She has done some portraits, but enjoys taking more natural pictures of people in their element, rather than posed shots.

She was awarded two ribbons last year in the Glastonbury Audubon show. She also entered the Piedmont Photography Show in Somers, an annual juried show.

She uses a Nikon D50 digital camera. Her black and white photos are shot digitally and then altered in Photoshop to a black and white format. She does use some filters, such as a sepia filter for a shot she took in Monson of the tornado damage.

The framed photos range in price from $35 to $100.

The Broad Brook resident also enjoys baking, creating custom-made cupcakes and other treats. She recently set up a Facebook page, Littlest Bake Shoppe, to display her sweet creations.

To contact her about her photos, e-mail alechiaswaimphotos@yahoo.com.