Oak Crest Resident Photographers Share their Talents

Brenda Hendrickson never has a shortage of subjects to photograph. Just outside her front door at Oak Crest, an Erickson Senior Living community in Parkville, Md., are 87 park-like acres featuring walking trails, gardens, fountains, and a large lake that's home to a diverse array of wildlife.

"There are a lot of great places to take photos on campus," says Brenda, a member of the community's Viewfinders photography club.

The Viewfinders offers classes on topics including photo editing, camera lenses, photo composition techniques, portraits, sports photography, abstract photography, and architecture. Members also meet twice a month to share photo travel logs from trips to places such as Russia, Cuba, and Africa.

But most importantly, the club is an opportunity for Oak Crest residents to come together, bond over their shared interest, and appreciate the community's natural beauty.

Stunning subjects

Club members have the option to participate in photo assignments covering a variety of subjects, including clouds, flowers, interesting shadows, and reflections.

"As a group, we brainstorm and come up with a subject. Then, everyone goes out on their own time to complete the assignment," explains Brenda. "The next time we meet, we share and discuss our photos and techniques. We have members with all different skill levels in our club, so we learn from each other's experiences."

Brenda appreciates when an assignment captures the wildlife on campus.

"At the lake, you can find ducks, blue herons, geese, fish, and turtles. There is also a pond with frogs and koi, and we even have a meditation garden," she says. "The other day, I was walking my dog and spotted a fawn. I was able to take some really nice photos."

Candid camera

Wayne Robust joined the Viewfinders shortly after moving to Oak Crest in 2021. His interest in photography began during a trip to Yellowstone National Park.

"I started taking photos with my cell phone there, and I really enjoyed it," says Wayne.

In fact, owning a camera isn't necessary to join the Viewfinders. Many members, including Wayne, prefer to use their cell phones.

"There is an expression, 'The best camera is the one that's with you,' and I always have my phone with me," says Wayne. "Cell phone cameras have come a long way. There are even attachments you can buy for your phone. I have a grip that attaches to my phone, enabling me to press a button for the shutter, just like you would with a camera."

He adds, "Thanks to digital photography, I can see my photos immediately and take hundreds of them until I get the right one and just delete the rest."

Wayne particularly enjoys a genre known as street photography, which captures candid, spontaneous moments usually found in urban settings.

"The nice thing about street photography is you're not limited by where you can go, what you can do, and how fast you can do it," says Wayne. "You never know what you might encounter. You could be in front of a building that has a reflection in a glass window. Or there could be a food vendor selling a hot dog to someone."

He adds, "It's not about setting up a tripod and getting the perfect lighting. The goal is to be unobtrusive and just snap, snap, snap!"

Art on display

Members' photographs are often showcased in display cases in Oak Crest's Crestview Station and Village Square clubhouses.

In 2024, the Viewfinders hosted their first photography exhibit and hope to organize another one soon.

"It was a small event, but we really enjoyed it. It was a great opportunity for people to share some of their best work and see a variety of different photography styles," says Brenda.

"Just like painting or sculpting, photography is an art form," says Wayne. "It goes beyond just pushing a button; it involves composition, color, lighting, and more. In fact, much of photography is created beforehand in your mind. The photo is just stored in the camera."

Lots to do!

The Viewfinders is just one of hundreds of resident-run clubs and groups offered at Oak Crest. Because all homes are maintenance-free, residents have more time to enjoy activities like pickleball, bocce, art lessons, gardening, and book club meetings--and photography.

To learn more about senior living at this vibrant community, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.

By Danielle Rexrode