Focused Moments, featuring photography and poetry by over 20 local and regional photographers, will highlight work by Stanley Johnson, Cynthia Rose, and Katie Clark, as they emphasize the need to focus on the moments that bring beauty, peace, and joy to our souls. These photos and poems are a testament to the beauty that is all around us.
 
Stanley “Stan” Johnson
http://www.stanjohnsoncreative.com
Born in Quincy, Florida, Stan gained an interest in photography while in high school after he was given a camera by his father - a novice photographer who purchased the camera in Germany while serving in the U. S. Army. Stan began honing his skills photographing family and friends and further developed his love for photography as a graphic communications student at Florida A&M University and later served in the U. S. Marine Corps as a communications specialist. But, it wasn’t until he captured the images of foster children that were to be used in adoption marketing materials that he started to take photography seriously as a career. This highly visible project began Stan’s quest to use his photography skills to bring positivity to the world, help as many people as possible, and to give meaning to his life. To widen his range of photographic skills, Stan enrolled in the Academy of Art University and earned a Master of Arts degree in 2019. The additional knowledge gained and his award placement in the 2019 Academy of Art Spring Showcase has invigorated Stan's mission of being a catalyst for positive social advocacy and capturing the beauty that surrounds us.
 
Cynthia M. Portalatin, a.k.a Cynthia Rose
https://www.facebook.com/lapoetachina IG: @lapoetachina
Cynthia's most expressive form is poetry, and she enjoys photography, drawing, and painting. She believes healing comes through creative expression, as she has experienced her own healing through poetry and art. Writing literally saved her life during her battles with depression and anxiety, which she fought silently for many years. After publishing Bloom Forever - A Poetry Journal, and performing poetry readings in several states, a common thread appeared. People increasingly expressed gratitude as Cynthia shared her healing journey through poetry. In 2017, she began to offer intimate “Write to Heal” sessions to share writing prompts and poetry as tools that help and encourage people on their own healing journeys, in a safe space. Cynthia believes we can rediscover our own beauty through beautiful poetry and art. In this way, we can share our best selves with each other. There is beauty all around us, and we find it when we open our ears, eyes, and hearts to love and acceptance.
 
Katie Clark
Instagram: Kmclarkphoto
Katie Clark, writer, photographer, educator, a mental health advocate, all around dreamer, is from the Panama City Beach, FL. She gets inspiration from the beauty of North Florida. She is a third-generation photographer and first-generation poet. She has been writing and capturing light and shadows since high school. Many of her poems have been published in anthologies. Her photography has been displayed in many galleries in North Florida, including Tallahassee City Hall, Panama City Center for the Arts, FSU Museum of Fine Arts, and LeMoyne Arts. Her poetry book, “Acceptance of Season,” won the FAPA President’s award (bronze). She received her B.S. in Education from Florida State University, PC, and is currently a full-time writer and photographer in Tallahassee, FL.