Kelley Luikey
Kelley Luikey is an award-winning fine art photographer based in South Carolina who specializes in birds. She is known for her signature soft, dreamy style that brings a painterly, intimate quality to her images. Her work consistently places among the top images in national and international competitions, including those hosted by the National Audubon Society and the North American Nature Photographers Association. While much of her time is devoted to photographing the birds of the South Carolina Lowcountry, Kelley also travels in pursuit of new species and fresh perspectives, embracing the challenge and excitement of bird photography in diverse environments. She shares her knowledge through one-on-one instruction, mentorships, and small group trips, helping other photographers approach bird photography with greater intention, artistry, and creativity. Kelley's fine art bird images are featured at Pluff Mudd Art Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. She donates 2% of every sale to Audubon South Carolina, supporting efforts to protect both resident and migratory birds. Through her imagery, Kelley hopes to inspire others to cherish and protect the extraordinary beauty of birdlife in the Lowcountry and beyond.
A conversation on the preservation and study of photographic archives, the fine art print side of the industry, and the responsibility photographers have in preserving their own bodies of work. Bringing together practical, academic, and digital preservation perspectives, the panel covers how historical collections inform contemporary visual storytelling, how photographers choose labs, papers, and formats, and how print sales factor into a sustainable photography business.
Kelley walks through her editing philosophy and process, showing how deliberate post-processing choices can reinforce a distinct visual style as opposed to alter reality. Drawing on her work within the competitive wildlife photography industry, where strict editing rules apply, she demonstrates how restraint and intention in the edit can elevate an image without compromising its integrity.
Kelley walks through how photographers can make more intentional choices about paper, format, and finish. A practical and eye-opening conversation for photographers who want to take their work off the screen and into the world.
Kelley covers the fundamentals of bird photography for serious hobbyists and newer photographers. She will go over gear and camera settings as well as teach her tips and tricks for how to find and read your winged subjects in the field. A practical, experience-driven session for the growing number of photographers who have invested in the equipment and are ready to use it well.
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