Today we’d like to introduce you to True North Photo Society
Hi True North Photo Society, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Every artist has a story. And when you bring together seven fine art photographers, you get an anthology— a beautifully woven collection of unique perspectives bound by a shared passion for storytelling through imagery.
True North Photo Society began as a group of women dedicated to the art of photography, united by our love for visual storytelling. Today, we are seven female fine art photographers, each committed to pushing creative boundaries, whether through traditional analog photography, digital imagery, or alternative photographic processes.
We fuel each other’s curiosity through creative days—monthly hands-on workshops where we dive into new and experimental photographic techniques. These sessions are often messy, sometimes unpredictable, but always inspiring. Even when things don’t go as planned, our post-workshop reviews help us refine our methods and spark new ideas.
We challenge and uplift one another through critical print reviews, providing a supportive space to analyze and discuss our work. These reviews help us uncover hidden themes, break through creative blocks, and gain fresh perspectives. Often, the way we see our work is the very thing holding us back—by sharing insights, we empower one another to grow and evolve as artists.
At True North, photography is more than just an art form; it’s a journey we take together—one frame, one story, and one creative breakthrough at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Our journey together hasn’t always been smooth—there have been a few uneven patches along the way. The biggest challenge? Scheduling. With each of us leading full and creative lives—traveling for photography, processing and printing images, preparing for exhibitions, and submitting to competitions—finding time for meetings and creative days can feel like fitting puzzle pieces together.
But even amidst the chaos and distractions, our commitment remains unwavering. No matter how busy life gets, we stay true to our True North.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
True North photographers are as diverse in their creative aesthetics as they are in the ways they express them. Each member brings a unique perspective, making it exciting to witness the magic that unfolds within our group. Here’s a little about each of us:
Brandy Sebastian brings together the transformative powers of feminine energy set within nature. Her dreamy portraits are rich with rhythm and dimension. Nature is the perfect backdrop revealing the essential beauty of body celebrating itself as it moves in the world.
Soft and gauzy, Barbara Beck creates unique and richly layered floral and sea life prints through unique hands-on photographic processes. Her work is painterly and one-of-a-kind. Her prints embody the soft quiet beauty found in nature serving as a metaphor to express the sublime beauty of the human spirit.
Otherworldly beauty results when Pricilla Monger’s photographs blur momentary stillness with color and form. Simplicity of composition, lighting, harmony and mystery characterize her striking abstract images. Multilayered, her images ask you to explore the hidden narratives present both in every part and the whole simultaneously.
The dance of light and play of shadows, the interplay between simplicity and emotion are elements Susan Hill uses to create her images. Primarily a film photographer, her work resonates with quiet depth of multidimensionality. It conveys hidden contours of light which ask the viewer to see time and to see a place beyond time.
Working in both Black & White and color formats, Patricia Grabski combines storytelling with realism to capture the haunting beauty of quiet desolation. She transforms the language of photography from momentary stillness to an ongoing conversation.
Subtle yet profound, Judith Preston’s work portrays the textural richness and endless patterns in nature. Versed in Color as well as Black & White, her work is meditative and reveals a lasting connection between place and story.
Annie Lemoux creates intimate and powerful works that explore identity and self-expression. Using the body and self in the fluid weightless medium of water, she deftly uses traditional methods, as a lens, to interpret the beauty and strength of the human figure.
What sets our group of seven female fine art photographers apart is our fearless spirit of experimentation. We don’t just create—we explore, push boundaries, and dive headfirst into alternative processes. Whether we’re testing new techniques or refining ongoing work, we support one another through every creative twist and turn. Growth is our constant, and together, we embrace the ever-evolving nature of our artistry.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t get too caught up in the gear you don’t have—the best camera is the one in your hands. Embrace it. Learn it. Use it well.
Always be a student of your craft. Practice, practice, practice. Read. Surround yourself with like-minded creatives. Explore the work of different photographers. Engage with other art forms. Live fully and lean into your own creative evolution. Don’t chase trends or try to replicate someone else’s journey—your path is uniquely yours, and your style will emerge through dedication and experimentation.
Stay organized. Develop a workflow that keeps you moving forward. Often, it’s the little details that create the biggest roadblocks.
Finish what you start. Complete a portfolio, a body of work—something. The act of finishing (even if it’s not your best work) frees you to move on to the next project. Every finished piece teaches valuable lessons that will shape your future creations.
Most importantly—keep creating, keep experimenting, and most of all, have fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.truenorthphotosociety.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truenorthphotosociety/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrueNorthPhotoSociety
Image Credits
Image of TNPS hands during Salt Printing: Brandy J Sebastian
Group Photo: Brandy J Sebastian
“Dancer’s Connection” – Earth Dancer Series” Process: Archival Pigment Print by Brandy J Sebastian
“Wild Garden No2” – Process: Wet Cyanotype Tea Toned & Hand Colored by Barbara Beck
“See You At The Top” – Process: Cellphone by Priscilla Monger
“Salk Study #6” – Process: Sepia Toned Silver Gelatin Print by Susan Hill
“Apparition” – Process: Archival Pigment Print by Patricia Grabski
“Fern”- Process: Platinum/Palladium by Judith A Preston
“In the Vortex” – Process: Polaroid 809 Emulsion Lift by Annie Lemoux
