You can never predict what will happen when you’re tasked with interviewing someone. As I strolled through the yearly Chain of Parks Art Festival, en route to meet photographer Elizabeth George on a lovely Saturday afternoon, I encountered two local artists within the first few minutes of my relaxed walk from the parking area to our meeting spot. They enthusiastically wanted to express their opinions.
“Oh wow, Elizabeth is definitely one of my favorites,” stated musician and environmental advocate Scott Buchanan. His beaming grin unmistakably conveyed his joy and respect.
Approximately two minutes later, I ran into musician and historian Kelly Goddard. With great enthusiasm, she exclaimed, “Elizabeth is amazing!” She then pointed excitedly towards a lady standing near the music stage holding a camera, saying, “She’s right over there!” This spontaneous display of fondness made clear that Elizabeth George holds a cherished position within our community.
The enthusiasm for photography has taken hold.
In 1980, George moved to Tallahassee when she started studying at Florida State University. Nonetheless, her artistic journey had begun long before that in Miami.
“I am a first-generation American with parents who survived the Holocaust in Hungary,” explained George. “I was raised in Miami and went to North Miami Beach High School. There, I had access to a photography program that provided me with four years of hands-on darkroom practice.”
George had already caught the photography bug during his initial trip to Hungary several years ago.
When I was nine years old, I traveled to Hungary with my mom,” she explained. “She handed me a small Kodak Instamatic camera. At the zoo, I began snapping photos of the creatures.
George quickly got a taste of what it felt like to be a photographer. Yet, it was his mother’s response to the photographs that left the strongest impact overall.
“The delight evident in my mother’s response upon seeing my photographs filled me with immense happiness,” stated George. “Witnessing such an impact from work I created was profoundly moving. This moment confirmed for me that pursuing this path was indeed what I desired.”
Then George pulled at one of my childhood heartstrings by referring to a cherished magazine from my very own home.
She mentioned, “Throughout middle school and high school, I used to gather National Geographic magazines.” She continued, “I would carefully trim all the stunning images of wildlife and landscapes and pair them with my poems. This inspired me to envision publishing my own book someday, featuring both my photographs and verses.”
Certain aspirations become reality when you possess ample patience and accumulated wisdom from life experiences.
In 2019, I stepped down from teaching and started concentrating on my photography venture,” she mentioned. Her dad shared with her his immense pride and noted the evident happiness in her work. Since he hadn’t expressed such sentiments during her time as a teacher, this reaffirmed that she had made the correct choice.
First Prize at Creative Tallahassee Show
Fortunately for George, her affection, commitment, and feeling of unity with her community generate numerous uplifting validations.
George’s “ Searching for Gold” photo recently clinched first place at the annual Creative Tallahassee Art Exhibition. She regards St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, located below Tallahassee, as one of her most cherished spots. A significant portion of her collection showcases stunning scenes of tranquility and elegance found within this distinctive natural environment.
George mentioned, “The photograph depicts a female Grackle.” He explained, “Last year, while searching for Pinky the flamingo near St. Mark’s Place, I stumbled upon this serendipitous scene involving light and a bird. The swaying grasses caught my eye too. It felt like an ideal conclusion to celebrate turning 62. My journey started at St. Marks earlier in the year, so returning here seemed perfect to close out the chapter.”
Initially, the image appears as though it were a painting. Many people frequently confuse George’s photographs with artworks crafted by brushes rather than captures through a camera lens.
My aim exactly,” George replied. “I envision it as a painted piece. For me, photography is akin to capturing paintings. I prefer not to rely on Photoshop; instead, I focus mainly on lighting and framing within the camera itself for most of my creations.
Along with the Creative Tallahassee Exhibition presently featured at City Hall, George also has another exhibition she’s looking forward to. You’ll have the opportunity to view her creations at the Req Room during June. The venue is situated at 1208 N. Monroe Street.
Although grateful for the chances to exhibit her photography, George aims to leave a enduring impact on those who see her images. In the early stages of her career as a photographer, George found inspiration in the works of Annie Leibovitz and Ansel Adams. These artists provided her with a profound link to both the cultural milieu and natural scenery of their nation.
The emblematic glow inside each of us
“I aim to inspire, elevate, and enhance someone’s life,” she stated. “The focus is on providing an individual with a specific instance when they sense a connection to something greater. I cherish documenting genuine expressions of individuals during their everyday lives. My desire is for others to recognize our interconnectedness. Essentially, photography involves pursuing illumination, much like how each person carries this metaphorical inner light. I wish to convey universal experiences that resonate at the core of humanity.”
George experiences a strong feeling of bonding with Tallahassee.
“I’ve journeyed far and wide, but Tallahassee really resonates with me as my home,” she stated. “The city boasts an incredibly vibrant arts scene. We are genuinely blessed to call this place our residence.”
If you go
What
Creative Tallahassee 2025 | showcasing work from 43 artists such as Elizabeth George, Alisha Lewis, Echo Gates, Sjatha Swaminathan, and others
When:
Through June 2
Where:
City Hall Art Gallery, located at 300 S. Adams Street, features its main gallery on the second-floor mezzanine.
Contact:
tallahasseearts.org/online-galleries | 850-224-2500 ext. 6 | info@tallahasseearts.org
Tracy Horenbein is a contributing author for The Council on Culture & Arts. Marking its 40th year, COCA serves as the overarching organization for arts and culture in the capital region (tallahasseearts.org).
The article initially appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat.
A Tallahassee-based photographer named Elizabeth George forms connections through her pursuit of lighting.
