As a teen, I was given a polaroid camera as a gift and took photos of friends and special events.  I enjoyed capturing the images on film and creating albums of memories. As an adult, I purchased a manual Olympus single lens reflex camera and enhanced my skills by taking photos of my family, flowers and events.   Eventually, I put my love of photography on the back burner as I raised my children, because I could not afford the film and processing costs. Now in retirement, I am excited about the advent of digital technology. Digital equipment makes processing affordable and  image enhancement possibilities limitless.  I'm attracted to nature, seascapes,  landscapes, and mostly flowers.  I am currently an active member of the Prince George’s Artists Association, past board member of the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative, and presently have several pieces of my work on exhibit at local galleries in the DC area.

Gordon Parks is my favorite artist.  He is not only a self-trained photographer, but a film producer, movie director, poet, musician, journalist and community activist.

He took a camera he bought from a pawn shop, raw talent, and changed the course of his life.  His photographs were published in Life Magazine.  He came from a poor family and became a renowned, respected American icon. 

I invite you to browse my works of art and send me your comments.  If you are interested in purchasing anything that you see, please feel free to contact me by email at zchestnut@gmail.com or by phone at 202-396-7340.

Zandra Chestnut  owns and reserves all rights to images contained in this website - Use of any images without permission of the artist is strictly prohibited.  Photographs may not be downloaded, copied to another computer, transmitted, published, reproduced, stored, manipulated, projected, or altered in any way by use of computer or other electronic means or any other method without the written permission of the photographer.

photo credit:  “Gypsum Footprints©2008”