Local photographers Nate Crabtree and Chris Shunk present nature-inspired photography throughout February at Thump Coffee in downtown Bend. Born and raised here, Cornell University-trained archeologist Crabtree describes Central Oregon as “one of the most spectacular places to have spent a childhood.” Shunk coaches at Summit High School in Bend and graciously offered to exhibit his photography because Crabtree was traveling in Mexico. Thump Coffee also will be open late for First Friday Art Walk, February 4.

“My childhood was defined by the time I spent outdoors,” Crabtree says. “Nearly every weekend was spent climbing mountains, exploring creeks or traversing cross-country to remote mountain lakes. The emotions these places evoked were like a drug, something I could simply not get enough of.”

For Crabtree, photography is an extension of those feelings. “Although my audience may not have experienced the location in the same way I have, those feelings I gathered within those places can be conveyed within a two dimensional plane,” he says. “Photography is simply a reminder of these places; I strive to capture how these places affected me and stir the emotions that were brought to the surface during the shoot and share them with others.”

For more, visit Nate Crabtree’s website.

A Central Oregon resident for the last 15 years, Chris Shunk specializes in wedding and portrait photography, but he enjoys shooting “anything and everything else.  Anywhere I go the camera comes with me,” he says. Shunk coaches for Summit High School, which is how he became interested in photography. “I got my camera to take pictures of my athletes.  Turns out I really loved doing it.  Parents started asking me to do senior portraits and weddings.”

Visit Chris Shunk’s website here.