"Portraits of Nature" Gallery opens in Waitsburg

WAITSBURG - Growing up in Western Montana, Dave Tipton said he has photographed landscapes and wildlife since the 5th grade. 

With a passion for wildlife, he found himself wanting to capture everything he encountered outdoors, keeping a constant eye on the weather patterns. His travel includes Canada to Belize, thourhgout Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. He focused much of his attention on Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and Glacier Park National Parks.

Tipton's appreciation for the ever-changing outdoors has continued since moving to Waitsburg, Washington in September 2021. He has found many opportunities for photographing the rolling hills of farmland along with the beautiful coastal scenes of Oregon and Washington.

"Mountainous areas inspire me because there's always something unexpected around the corner," said Tipton.

Dave Tipton

"Lost in the Rockies"

Tipton said his photography skills grew as he worked with photographers from National Geographic, Outdoor Photography Magazine, Getty Images, Canon Explorers of Light, and Nikon Ambassadors.

His big break was in 2011 when he was hired by a L.A. based entertainment company to shoot Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. He photographed and interviewed players from the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburg Steelers.

He has photographed celebrities and numerous events, including The Black Eyed Peas, Hugh Jackman, Gene Simmons, A Taste of the NFL, and the Porsche Experience, .

And now, With the encouragement of friends, family and customers who already own his prints, he is opening the Portraits of Nature Gallery in Waitsburg, Wash. The small gallery in the front of The Waitsburg Town Hall will have big art and big ideas by Tipton. The gallery will have a wide variety of prints, available mounted on foam core, ready to hang, and as greeting cards.

In addition to selling prints, Dave will also be giving photography classes, including Learning Composition, Mastering Your Camera, Taking Better Photos Outdoors, Night & Low Light Photography, Headshot & Portrait Photography, On-Location Lighting, Take the Studio Outdoors and Understanding Flash Photography.

"I've been teaching photography for close to 20 years and have had over 4000 attend classes and Photo Tours," said Tipton.

Many in Waitsburg know Tipton who is on the board at the Waitsburg Town Hall and Lions Club. He is also a very active member of the Cardinals booster club.

Meet the photographer and support one of Waitsburg's newest businesses at the grand opening of Portraits of Nature Gallery during Waitsburg's Hometown Christmas on Saturday, December 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Waitsburg Town Hall located at 121 Main Street.

Business hours will be Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, or to sign up for a class, please visit http://www.bigskyphotography.net/.