Plate 1 - Sunset Grasses

Choose a Framing Option

SKU:SFP1012181

Story Behind the Art

I’m always exploring Nauvoo for emotional scenes—pictures that capture the pathos of those trying and wonderful years that were the glory of Nauvoo.****

I was there in winter, shooting those kinds of pictures. I’d read scores of pioneer journals and was especially moved by the writing of Bathsheba Smith, who recounted her feelings about leaving Nauvoo:****

“My last act in that precious spot was to tidy the rooms, sweep up the floor, and set the broom in its accustomed place behind the door. Then with emotions in my heart which I could not now pen and which I then strove with success to conceal, I gently closed the door and faced an unknown future, faced a new life, a greater destiny as I well knew, but I faced it with faith in God…”****

How do you capture that emotion? I could feel a lump welling up in my throat as I thought about Bathsheba’s words.****

It was cold and a bit windy as the sun began to set. I saw some tall grasses that began to be filled with the backlight of the setting sun (you can see those same grasses in Plate 2, Bootshop Sunset Winter). I took the Bootshop image then ran for the grasses before I lost the light. It was my last shot of the day.****

I set the camera up on its accustomed spot on the tripod, carefully composed the grasses with that last remaining light and I took the shot. I walked away with Bathsheba Smith on my mind.****

I think she would have been pleased.

About the Artist

I’ve never thought my part of capturing photographs was hard. My job, as I’ve always said, is to press the shutter. That’s all. The Lord paints the picture. He brings in the weather. He is the maker of the sun, the moon and the stars and all of nature. He alone can bring in clouds and angles of light. He alone can bring rain or sun. He really does all the work. My job, again, is only to press the shutter.

Over the years I’ve had hundreds of requests for people to use my photography—for their homes, for their offices, for special gifts, for youth programs, for the Church History Museum and even for the Church’s official publication of the scriptures. I am happy, now, to offer a limited number of special photographs to the general public. I’ve partnered with Foundation Arts to do this and I’m excited to have my fine art photography hang in your homes and be in your lives.

What is so special about these photographs I am offering?

I’ve gone out of my way to try to capture stunning, even spectacular photographs—images that stand alone as beautiful and worthy to hang in your home. But there’s more to each image than meets the eye. My goal is to capture the beauty of the location but then tell the story behind that location and reveal a surprise. I want you to have stories to tell in your homes and to your families and associates. I want your children and grandchildren to grow up knowing these significant and moving stories and when they see those images, those ideas jump immediately to their minds.

Browse through these first 40 images. See which ones speak to your soul.

Shipping & Returns

If your order has a time sensitivity that requires expedited shipping, please Contact Us so that we can confirm our ability to meet your time requirements.

We use real-time shipping on this site. The shipping charge on your order is determined at order placement using UPS and USPS shipping rate calculators. If you feel that the shipping charges are incorrect, please Contact Us and let us know of your situation. A real person (not a calculator) will respond during business hours and resolve your issue prior to shipment.

For more information, please refer to the following policies:

View full details