Rosanne Olson
Limited Edition Archival Pigment Prints
Portfolios
Places
Prairie
All of my life I have immersed myself in creativity. As a child, I carried around a drawing pad and pencils. I entered contests with my paintings and creations, studied art and art history in college (in addition to my major in science). I believe that there is art in cooking, in music, in poetry, in living.
I discovered photography at the age of 23. Ever since that moment I have been in love with creating beautiful images. With the right light and sensitive timing, a photograph can convey so much more than words ever could. It can move us to action, move us to tears, inspire us, and preserve our memories.
I began my career as a photojournalist at The Register-Guard in Eugene, Oregon, after receiving my master's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. Over the past 30 years in Seattle, I have collaborated with designers and art directors around the country, photographing for advertising campaigns such as the New York City Ballet, Seattle Opera, Seattle Symphony, and Seattle’s Children's Hospital.
In 2008 I authored a book of photographs and essays that celebrate women and their stories titled This Is Who I AM: Our Beauty in All Shapes and Sizes. I have also written two books to facilitate learning in lighting and portraiture; ABC’s of Beautiful Light and The Art of the Portrait.
My fine art work has been part of my life since the beginning. It is something I do simultaneously with my commercial or portrait work. Many of my series of works are explorations of my interior life (Four & 20 Blackbirds), dream life (Animal Dreams and Rapture) and an exploration of what comes after death (Rapture).
All of them, regardless of theme, are works created from the heart.