Kelly Coursey-Gray of Trafford, Westmoreland County, will be the first to say that being a wildlife photographer takes more than a camera and a desire to explore the outdoors.

She will bring as many as 100 framed photographs to her one-woman show at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County in conjunction with the nearly monthlong exhibit of wildlife.

Coursey-Gray will be at the opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. March 4 to conduct a walking gallery tour, which will include her philosophy concerning wildlife photography ethics.

When she first started to take wildlife photographs, Coursey-Gray said her enthusiasm and lack of knowledge prevented her from getting the images she craved. 

Looking back, she said she was fortunate not to put herself or others in danger.

“If you do your homework, and have a little ‘good animal karma’ you can find creatures,” she said.

“Great light, interesting behaviors and backgrounds that are not distracting are the most difficult things to capture, in that order.”

Coursey-Gray is a 1992 graduate of Allegheny College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in art history, and a 1996 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a master’s degree in history of art and architecture.

Coursey-Gray is an independent commercial photographer, specializing in wildlife, weddings, portraiture, landscape, aerial and commercial projects.

She also is an instructor at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and promotes ethical photography in nature.

“My basic philosophy is do no harm,” she said.

“I abide by the generally accepted wildlife photographer’s code of ethics which says, if a creature changes its behavior because you are there, you are too close.”

Promoting safe interaction between people and animals also will compliment the wildlife education month at the arts center.

Many of her photos, some matted, will be available for purchase and will range in price from $30 to $195.

When photographing wildlife, she tries to use the longest lens available  in order to keep her distance to a maximum.

That’s a good rule of thumb when you photograph grizzly or polar bears.

The moose was the first creature that inspired her to photograph wildlife. Growing up in Pennsylvania, the moose seemed exotic.

After studying moose thoroughly, she quickly learned that they are not the most exciting creature to watch for extended periods of time.

“Spending time in Yellowstone in the early spring and late fall, I began to become fascinated with bears,” she said.

“I have had the great pleasure of interacting safely with all three species of North American bears in the wild, the black bear, the brown bear and the polar bear.“

She said a mother with cubs is always interesting because the cubs are curious about things and they like to play, which makes for interesting photographs.

But she cautioned that getting between a mother bear and her cubs is a formula for trouble.

“I have photos of me holding newborn cubs, but the mother was sedated by the game commission,” she said.

She started her career using a Pentax K1000, a metal body film camera.

When a close family friend passed away, Coursey-Gray inherited a Nikon FE2 and several lenses.

“Once you have a camera system, you tend to stick with that brand because the lenses are where you invest your money,” she said.

“I now shoot predominately with a Nikon D200.”

She was quick to point out that expensive equipment isn’t the key to being a good photographer.

“You can take a great picture with any camera if you know enough about the camera to make it do what you want it to do,” she said.

She has become a devotee of the digital camera because it is expensive to shoot using film nowadays.

“A lot of places that process film scan it and turn it into a digital format before printing it,” she said.

While primarily photographing free-roaming wildlife, she does enjoy visiting game parks and zoos.

“If I take a photograph in one of these parks, I disclose that the animal is captive,” she said.

Coursey-Gray, who also takes wedding photos, compared the two categories.

“Wildlife and weddings are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and there are no ‘do-overs’ in either venue,” she said.

“You have to be prepared to capture whatever happens when it does.”

Coursey-Gray will return to the arts center to take part in Wildlife Education Day, which will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17.

As a photographer, she dreams about having a photograph published by National Geographic or win a wildlife photography competition.

“First and foremost, I want to continue to be a good steward for wildlife by teaching people how to enjoy it responsibly and respectfully,” she said.

“No matter what else I might do, I would like to continue to share my passion for wildlife with others.”

Exhibit

What: “Nature, It’s in Our Hands,” wildlife exhibit.

When: March 4-30.

Where: Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.

Admission: Free.

Information: 255-6515.

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