Gallery on Main's "Artist of the Month" series features Greenbrook, New Jersey-based photographer Stephanie Napholtz from March 1 through 31. Admission is free, and the photographs are available for purchase.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, March 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Stephanie Napholtz describes herself as “a 34 year-old, Mexican/Native America, fully self-taught photographer.” She says growing up in Gillette, New Jersey, just a short trip from New York City, gave her a unique opportunity to have many different types of photography subjects — from skylines and architecture to nature and wildlife photography.

Says Stephanie, “As a teenager and young adult, I was interested in photography but never really committed to learning and mastering the craft. Around 26 I started back up with photography, it was my way to take a step back and escape from the everyday stresses and fast-paced culture we are all accustomed to. NYC is one of my favorite places in the world and with it practically in my backyard I decided to start shooting it from all angles. I fell in love with aerial photography and the freeing feeling of hanging out of a helicopter high above NYC. It is an experience like no other and it’s never the same, each time is different in its own way.”

Stephanie is equally passionate about wildlife and nature photography. “From the fast pace and stress of everyday, finding time to get back into nature, to sit and wait patiently and silently, to be able to photograph animals in their habitat is magical to me,” she says.

“I think that most people go through life not realizing or recognizing how beautiful the world around them is,” Stephanie continues. “My hope is to just give people a chance to take a moment, to slow down and see the beauty that we all tend to rush and pass by.”

Awards:

• First and Second Place in the Natural Environment Professional Category for 2017 Somerset County Through Your Camera Lens Contest

• First Place in the Transportation Professional Category for 2017 Somerset County Through Your Camera Lens Contest

• Finalist, 2019 Empire State Building Photo Contest

• Featured Artist, 2021 Autumn in New Jersey Photography Exhibition by Jersey Collective

• First Place, Wildlife Category, Hunterdon County Library Photography Contest 2022

• Patron’s Choice for Best Photograph, Hunterdon County Library Photography Contest 2022