Alison Meyer received a degree in natural science and only took one black and white printing class in college before setting out on what has been a 20-plus-year career as a professional landscape photographer.
Known for her nature and landscape portraits, she moved to the Moscow area 23 years ago, where she traveled outdoors with her now husband.
“All the fishing, hiking, hunting, gardening, led to wildlife and lands photography, which is my primary interest,” said Meyer, who enjoys shooting photos of Steptoe Butte, Wash., and the rolling hills of the Palouse.
Her latest exhibit at Moscow’s Third Street Gallery draws on none of that, focusing instead on human portraits.
“Moscow Loves Its Farmers Market,” a display of vendor portraits, was spurred by a yearlong project that Meyer started in order to capture the whole essence of the market: the produce, entertainment, arts, vendors and people. While the current exhibit is solely vendors, Meyer said she plans to keep shooting market photos and release more next spring, including a possible Moscow Farmers Market advertising campaign.
“Every weekend, I take a few pictures,” said Meyer, who is a weekly vendor at the southeast corner of Friendship Square, and patrols the area for quick photo opportunities while her husband holds down the fort. “The whole farmers market is very photogenic. You can’t help yourself, if you’re a creative person.”
That said, she had her challenges with portraits.
“I’ve never been comfortable photographing people,” Meyer said. “I’m learning the technical aspects. How do you take a person in a quick moment in time and make them look good?”
But Meyer said she is happy to capture the joy and diversity of the vendors. “The farmers market is neat for anyone to photograph the market, whether with just a phone picture or to take time to paint there,” Meyer said. “For all kinds of artists, it’s an inspiring place.”
Other Meyer prints can be found at www.alisonmeyerphotography.com.
-Lindsey Treffry
->if you go WHAT: Alison Meyer’s “Moscow Loves Its Farmers Market” photography exhibit WHEN: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The exhibit ends Wednesday. WHERE: Third Street Gallery, Moscow City Hall, 206 E. Third St. COST: Free
