Local photographer’s work garners attention, recognition

Published 11:30 am Wednesday, January 4, 2017

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — When Lisa Wheeler goes out to do her photography, her actions are governed by something that can only be described as a sixth sense.

“Of course you read the books and everything, but to me it’s about what looks good,” she says. “As far as the camera settings go, it’s an instinct. I know what I’m trying to accomplish and I know what I’ve got to do to do it.”

For the past several years, Wheeler, the horticulturist-turned-cattle rancher-turned photographer, has been shooting photos of various subjects all across Georgia and Alabama. A resident of Greene County, her work has been prominently featured in exhibitions around Middle Georgia, where judges and artists alike have been impressed by her vision and natural feel for the art of photography.

“People always tell me I have a good eye,” said Wheeler from the dining room of Allied Arts’ Marlor House, where several of her photos hang prominently on the wall. “I think also I was always shy — I’d rather be behind the camera than involved. I’m always trying to learn something new and try new things, and so I think it’s more of that than anything.”

Regardless of her motivations for getting into the world of photography, it seems that Wheeler has done pretty well. Last month Wheeler was awarded first place at The Big Click, the annual exhibition of Milledgeville’s Allied Arts that judges photographic works by local artists. In taking home the prize, Wheeler beat out 13 other local artists with her photo, “Bostwick Shack and Tree.”

“I’ve been participating in it [The Big Click] for a lot of years,” said Wheeler. “I believe the first time I heard about it was when it was advertized in the Greensboro Herald-Journal … I’ve probably been entering for about five years now. This is my second year in a row to win, and then last year in the spring show I won first place in photography. I’ve always entered different local contests, and now I’ve got to start expanding to more regional contests.”

While taking home first place in the Big Click is a big honor for any photographer, the Allied Arts competition is just the latest in a long line of accolades accrued by the artist.

“The first thing I ever entered was up at the [Lindon House Arts Center in Athens] in their juried show,” said Wheeler. “That was really special just getting one in, because I didn’t know how hard that was. I’ve entered it pretty much every year since that year, which would have probably been 2009, and I think I’ve only gotten two other ones in since then. In 2010, I won first place in the “Georgia in Bloom” contest in Madison for all media … the judge was a painter, and I knew why he picked it because of the way he paints, but it was very unusual in those days for photography to even be considered ‘art’.”

While Wheeler has had considerable success in contests and exhibitions around Middle Georgia, perhaps her most noteworthy achievement is one from hundreds of miles away. Recently, one of Wheeler’s photos was chosen to hang in the office of Gary Black, the commissioner of agriculture for the state of Georgia. When one of Black’s assistants left the commissioner to work for U.S. Sen. David Purdue, Wheeler’s and several other artists’ works were chosen to hang in the senator’s office in Washington, D.C.

For all her success in photography in Middle Georgia, Wheeler certainly has not let it go to her head. For her part, the artists says she takes just as much pride in a first place award as she does in an honorable mention, craving only the validation of seeing her work make an impression on her fellow enthusiasts. While awards and accolades are no doubt something to be proud of, the photographer cares about the art itself above all else.

“About two years ago, I had a friend tell me ‘Lisa, you need to just put your camera down and think about what you want to say,” Wheeler recalled. “I didn’t listen to him about putting the camera down, but instead of being so technical when I take my photographs, I try and capture a feeling. … That’s what I want to do, is do more growing in that area, and just see where it takes me.”

A selection of Wheeler’s photos are available for sale in the Allied Arts gift shop, 201 N. Wayne St. in Milledgeville. Allied Arts can be reached by phone at 478-452-3950.