 Donna Rosser is a fine art
photographer with a unique body of work. She is inspired by the usual everyday subject – but it is
her unusual interpretation that makes her photos completely her own. When she shoots, she says she
allows the photos to happen. Donna says that her laptop is
her darkroom. She continues to take all photos in color and convert them to black and white with editing
software only after the color version has been completely edited to its best possible look. “Just
taking the photo is half of the job,” says Donna. She adds another dimension to her work
with the Lensbaby selective focus lens. Donna prints her photos at home on art papers with archival ink.
Donna was born in Fredericksburg,
Virginia and traveled up and down the east coast with her parents. As a child Donna was happy to spend
time with her Kodak Instamatic on family trips or just in the backyard at her home. She has always been
drawn to photography as a medium. For a few years she worked as a decorative artist and painted more than
she photographed. It was not until 2005 that she was encouraged to show her photography publicly.
Ever since that first time showing her work, she has not looked back and continues to explore new venues.
The life-long love of photography is no accident; there is a photographer
in her immediate family. Donna did not find out that her grandfather was an avid photographer until after
his death. In the 1920’s, his early years in the Marine Corps, he took many photos of depicting his
travels and military life. In the 1930’s and beyond he took many photos of his children and other
family members showing their everyday life. Donna has possession of these treasures as well as his
Kodak Hawk-Eye camera.
In 1985, Donna moved from Virginia to Georgia with her husband. Forty
years since Donna tracked the woods of Virginia with her grandfather, she is spending time in the woods near her Georgia
home. Donna prefers natural light and natural settings. Her favorite subjects include cemeteries,
old buildings, everyday situations, and normal household items. Growing up in the area that her family
had lived for hundreds of years, Donna likes to think of herself as a photographer with a southern perspective.
Her Virginia roots, travels, and life experiences influence her work. Just as the photos in
her grandfather’s collection, every photograph in her collection has a story.
In April 2006, Donna founded the Fayette Photo Club and began teaching
photography. In 2009, she turned her talent to directing Nature Undisturbed; a juried photography exhibit benefiting
Southern Conservation Land Trust. Donna has been featured in newspapers and magazines. Her work is
part of many private and public collections. She writes a popular blog about her photography and what inspires
her.
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