by Christy Rodriguez de Conte

Joel Dawson, who placed third at this year’s Photofest, displays a lifetime of travel and teachings in her photography. Photofest is on exhibit at the Artport Gallery through Jan. 22.

With travel comes endless possibilities, especially if you are a photographer. No matter what camera the photographer may be sporting, a Nikon with a long lens, a Sony 100, 200, or 300, or even an iPhone, a trip to Tanzania can produce iconic shots.

The key is not to search out the perfect shot but to be open to opportunities and allow the photo to present itself. It is about being at the right place and at the right time.

Photographer Joel Dawson has spent much of her adult life experiencing the world through photography. Dawson’s travels have led her across oceans and over mountain ranges to experience magnificent views, unique species of fauna and flora, and the dream-filled eyes of children worldwide. Each subject brings a different perspective. “I especially like to shoot close-ups,” says Dawson.

“I have been lucky to travel extensively, so I have been able to capture lots of unusual photos. I think my success is mostly related to how I go about taking photos rather than the camera I use.” The photographs Dawson takes are profound. She can capture the subject as if in an intimate moment. Her minimalistic style aims to eliminate distractions and provide contemplation by capturing a moment of joy.

In 1972, Joel Dawson took the trek to Tallahassee to marry George Dawson and has called it home ever since. Like many others who arrived in Tallahassee, Dawson took advantage of the college town to attend Florida State University and earned her doctorate in science education.

For 26 years, she served her community as part of the Leon County School system. “I was the first principal of SAIL (School of Arts and Innovative Learning), principal of Sabal Palm, involved as a teacher trainer in a desegregation project, and science coordinator for the district.”

Her life in Tallahassee solidified as her family grew beyond her husband and stepchildren to grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dawson also found community through her photography and has remained active in her volunteering.

Read more on the Tallahassee Democrat.