I am humbly seeking financial backers for a large-scale photography project. Please take a moment to review my project goals. Perhaps consider assisting me to bring the beauty of the Great Lakes in a unique photographic way:

Since the launch of my photography career, I decided one of my goals would be to share the best of what nature has to offer, and strongly advocate WHY it needs protection. The TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® race series is a very popular public event. I immediately saw an opportunity to connect the excitement of the Race, with the beauty of the Lakes via another popular public interest… photography.

Educational research vessels such as the Denis Sullivan (home port Milwaukee, WI) will be leading the race fleet. I will be boarding this ship in mid-July for 11 days, serving as an photographer/eco-blogger on the important scientific studies taking place on board. While chronicling the research, I’m certain plenty of natural beauty photo opportunities will present themselves, along with thrilling Race highlights.

You’ll even be able to track the ships while we are traveling from Bay City, Michigan to Duluth, Minnesota!

While I have the proper photo equipment and ability to travel, I cannot personally fund the entire voyage as required. There are many other expenses involved. All donations will go directly to travel expenses – such as to cover my passport fee, access to the Festival areas, gasoline, lodging or other required expenses such as a return bus ride home from the destination port (most likely – Duluth, Minnesota).

Additionally, I must create the final ArtPrize exhibit pieces and cover the installation. If my funding goal is not reached by July 11, 2010 – all pledges are canceled, so you will only be contributing if the project is a “GO!”

Contributions are as low as $5.00 and there are generous photo rewards such as signed prints and fine-art canvases for those who can contribute at larger amounts.

To learn more and to help contribute to the project please click on the box at left,
or visit the Kickstarter Project Page.

THANK YOU!

Come celebrate the release of Healing Images – A Selection from the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion at the Specialty Shop at the Pavilion (on the 3rd Floor of the Pavilion) – from 11 am to 2 pm.

The images featured in the book represent a portion carefully selected to be included in the permanent artwork collection of the Spectrum Health Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The use of artwork and photography throughout the building helps to create an environment that is therapeutic, supportive and restorative for patients and their families, as well as their caregivers.

Photographer Stacy Niedzwiecki will be signing copies available for purchase. Discounts on photo prints by Niedzwiecki will be offered as well.

Facebook Users – RSVP here!

Order your copy online

Stacy at Nat Geo

On the evening of our third day in DC – it was time to experience the event that brought us there in the first place… The 2008 National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine’s Adventurer of the Year Celebration!

This is an annual event that honoring those in the world of adventure whose extraordinary achievements have expanded our sense of what is humanly possible. The best new products on the market that have made adventure sports safer and more fulfilling are also highlighted. The honorees are selected by ADVENTURE’s editors and their Retail Advisory Board.

The event was held right at National Geographic headquarters. We were greeted right away by some of the ADVENTURE staff, and taken to an area where a professional photo shoot of all the honorees was taking place. We were invited to join them few photos as well (I haven’t gotten copies these images yet, but when I do – I’ll post them). After a brief time chatting with some of the folks in the lobby, we were ushered in to the Grosvenor Auditorium for the Celebration.

Deia & Gregg Receive their Award

The host was Boyd Matson, former anchor of National Geographic Explorer and host of Wild Chronicles on PBS.  ADVENTURE’s editor-in-chief John Rasmus assisted in handing out awards as well. The evening consisted of some fun jokes, some jaw-dropping stories and some amazing video clips of the honorees.

The program was extremely inspiring. Russ and I decided it was rather embarrassing to complain about the cold DC weather – or how our feet hurt after sightseeing in town – after hearing what THESE folks did!

E. Benjamin Skinner and Stacy

Immediately after the ceremony, it was time to get the party started! The packed lobby and dining area was really already rocking by the time we headed in. Someplace I heard there were over 400 in attendance. The evening’s theme had an African flair – as South African Airways was giving away a vacation to Africa as the Grand door prize.

For those of you who expected Russ and I to win trip to Africa… seriously? Do you really think we could be THAT lucky?

Around the parameter of the room were exhibits of some innovative outdoor travel gear. Some of the gear was also given away as door prizes at the end of the evening. There were delicious appetizers, good drinks, and some progressive-sounding world beat music. Out on the patio, some folks were even toasting marshmallows around fire pits!

Ashley Clements & Stacy

Andrew Skirka and Stacy

Russ and I truly enjoyed mingling about, meeting the honorees. Some of them had just flown in for the event an hour before it started! I’m very glad I had enough sense to grab a freshly printed copy of the magazine and a pen. I had each honoree autograph the pages for me. It will be a treasured keepsake, because I can’t imagine where else we would ever again meet such people – who collectively share such spirit – all gathered at one time?

Boyd Matson & Russ

It would be easy to go on and on about all the things these folks did – so it’s best I just provide the link to their stories and great video clips on the ADVENTURE website.

Russ had a bit of fun with Boyd Matson performing a bit of magic while I chatted with others. As we left, each guest was handled a “goody bag” (containing some great items like flashlights, winter cleats for shoes, a hiking headlamp, wool hiking socks – great stuff!).

Stacy with Sam Stime

As it turns out, all of the honorees were staying in the same hotel as we were. Once we left the event, the party just continued into the wee hours of the morning at the hotel bar – until it was closed and we were asked to leave!  I think some of us could have partied all night…

Rob Gauntlett, Stacy and James Hooper

However, we were invited to join everyone for our last morning in DC back at National Geographic for breakfast and a tour.

So… there’s just one more story left to this memorable trip…

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I was just informed I won the Grand Prize in a National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine contest to receive two all-access passes to the third annual Adventurer of the Year Celebration. I was chosen after submitting a short statement describing a favorite adventure destination in 150 words or less.  This means I will travel to Washington, D.C. to coincide with the Adventurer of the Year Celebration in November.

It is really an amazing coincidence. The contest was open to the general public (this was not a photography contest) – and they unknowingly selected a nature photographer. I’ve admired the stories and images featured in National Geographic since I was a kid. There were a pile of very old ones in the farmhouse where I grew up – dating back around 1910 or so. There were just as interesting then as the new ones published today. Apparently, folks back then couldn’t bear to part with their back issues either…

What could be more exciting for a photographer than being at the National Geographic Headquarters? I’ll have chance to meet with people who have big dreams, huge ambitions – and actually go on to achieve them. I’m certain the entire experience will be fascinating and inspirational.

I admit that when I first received an email stating I had won the prize, I was skeptical. I found the email in my inbox in the evening, so I was awake most of the night. I had to wait until the National Geographic offices opened – the next morning – to call and confirm it was real!

This will be my first trip to Washington, D.C., so I’m looking forward to the photographic opportunities the area will offer. My trip includes four-day, three-night accommodations at the Madison Hotel and entrance for two to the event, courtesy of the National Geographic Society.

National Geographic ADVENTURE’s Adventurer of the Year Celebration is an annual event that honors those in the world of adventure whose extraordinary achievements have expanded our sense of what is humanly possible, and also salutes the best new products on the market that have made adventure sports safer and more fulfilling. The honorees are selected by National Geographic ADVENTURE’s editors and their Retail Advisory Board.

The event will be held at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. on November 20, 2008. Russ and I will meet explorers from around the globe and ADVENTURE editors at the high-profile event honoring the extraordinary people, landmark achievements, and innovative gear featured in the “Best of Adventure” year-end issue. Presented by National Geographic Adventure magazine and South African Tourism, the Adventurer of the Year celebration includes video clips from the winners’ adventures in the field, as well as music, food and entertainment. Raffle prizes include a trip for two to South Africa, courtesy of South African Airways and Mountain Travel Sobek, and many items from the best gear of the year. Additional sponsors of the event include Crown Imports, GU, Headsweats, Intrepid Travel, KHS Bicycles, Nature Valley, Oakley, Petzl, Redwood Creek, Salomon, Silver Joe’s Coffee, Smartwool, South African Airways, Yaktrax.

Special appearances at the event will include previous Adventurer of the Year honoree Andrew Skurka. In 2007, Skurka hiked the Great Western Loop in 208 days—a 6,875-mile journey.

Stay tuned! Of COURSE I’m going to have some stories from my “adventures” to DC posted here on the blog upon our return!

See full press release