Hi! My name is Kirsten Packer, a hobbyist nature photographer from Cape Town, South Africa, and currently based in Columbus, Ohio.
So why the name Mountain Wagtail? Well, it comes from a chance meeting with a special bird on a hike through far-away, mystical Afromontane forests of Hogsback, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. I needed a name for my new instagram page and there this little Mountain Wagtail was, foraging along a secluded stream as I was having my lunch. Being an avid birder who enjoys mountainous landscapes, I thought the name was a good fit, even if a bit obscure.
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I credit my father for introducing me to photography at a young age and inspiring my continued pursuit of the art
(although he would say, "I'm sorry to have inadvertently, permanently dented your bank balance"). We still spend cherished time together with our cameras in hand, while my mother is normally the one pointing out the best compositions. Thanks Mum and Dad!
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Over the years my photography has tended to be reactive, documenting memories from holidays, hikes and time well-spent in nature. Considering this, I've always tried to keep my editing clean and unfantastical. Although I haven't intentionally worked towards a specific style, I try to draw upon my background in biological sciences to give context to a scene. Naturally, I am mostly drawn to natural subjects: landscapes, flora & fauna, with a touch of street thrown in.
