About:
I have been inspired by Nature for as long as I have been alive. Growing up in rural Wisconsin gave me ample opportunity to enjoy the dance of Life ... and I continue to do so, sitting for hours at a time entranced by an animal's behavior. Nature is and always has been my greatest teacher. By slowing to make the time for Her, She teaches love, kindness, happiness, patience, serenity, respect for oneself and for all other living things. The greatest gift that I can give to others through my photography is that same gift that Nature has given to me.

At the young age of 12 my Dad gave me my first SLR camera. I began making pictures as a passion. Later, my passion became my purpose in life as I re-connected to my childhood. My current equipment includes Nikon D2X camera bodies and Nikon Lenses.

Artist Statement:
Absorbed in photographic surroundings for hours, I don’t take pictures, I make them. Taking implies the hurried feeling of rushing in and gathering up something that is not mine. Making is co-creating with my surroundings, spending the time to get to know the land and Her creatures, and experiencing first hand the dance of life, by dancing with it. My photographs are simply the result of my experiences.

In all that Nature gives to me, I hope to awaken that intrinsic childhood joy in others through my photography of Her. My hope is to create awareness in others to see the beauty in Nature and to cherish and protect Her always.

Within the Sanctuary of My Creative Mind I am Peace, Serenity, Love, Light, Passion, Heart, and Soul... Happy in this Space where I can create and give to others NATURE... that they might see More than what they merely look at... Kristen Westlake '03

Kristen Westlake has devoted her life to holding the beauty of nature with her photography and sharing it with others. Westlake feels that her life has benefited greatly from the time and attention she has given to observing nature. "My intention is to communicate the voice of nature through my photography. The simplicity that allows one to hear his or her own inner voice happens in nature - away from the “chaos” of everyday pressures, labels, expectations, deadlines, … LIfe's overwhelm suddenly seems small and we are reminded of who we really are and what the “big picture” is really all about."

Credits include:
Birder's World Magazine, Wisconsin Trails Magazine, Nanpa's Impressions 2007 & Expressions 2008 print Journals, Exclusively Yours Magazine, At the Lake Magazine, Whisper in the Woods Magazine, Lake and Country Magazine, Spirit Magazine, Outdoor Wisconsin television interview, 6 Degrees television interview.


Photographic Integrity
All wildlife images photography on my website are images of wild animals, uncaged and free. I do not support game farms. I do not support the capture or tethering of wildlife for the sake of photography. I do not support any physical manipulation of animals, birds, or insects to make a shot. No photograph is worth compromising the safety of an animal. I believe whole-heartedly in honesty and integrity when it comes to meeting my subjects. When a wild animal accepts me & trusts me it is more euphoric a feeling than the resulting photograph made. Nature Photographers Ethics Resource Page & Principles of Birding Ethics.  



Supported Organizations
I am a member of NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association), Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, The International Crane Foundation, and a founding member of COPA (Coalition of Photographic Arts).

Please search my Wildlife and Nature Photography Gallery to see first hand the glory of Nature that I am so blessed to be a voice for.