This inquisitive turtle ‘posed’ for Nicole Brookus with Finch Hollow Photography. Brookus’ work will be on exhibit in Artist Alley at the Madison Street Festival on Oct. 4. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – At the Madison Street Festival on Oct 4., Nicole Brookus will share her photographic perspective on a side of nature sometimes overlooked. She owns Finch Hollow Photography.

Her forte involves photographs of life, especially small creatures, insects and plants, to reveal intimate details most people don’t see. Her landscapes and scenic photography show life on a larger spectrum.

Brookus also produces stock photography and commercial services.

“My first photography memories are of using an old brownie-style reflex camera my great-grandmother gave me as a toy,” Brookus said. “No film, but I loved to look down at the mirror and take ‘pictures.'”

She lacked patience to learn photography during “the film era but was an early adopter of digital. The learning curve is much faster, and I’ve gained patience.”

Brookus considers herself a creative artist with photography as her primary medium. “Art and craft can’t really be separated in photography. If art has no craft, it’s poorly executed; if craft has no art, it’s uninteresting,” she said.

When choosing a subject to photograph, light is the deciding factor. “Or I see something unique that I want to capture,” she said.

Photography allows her to pursue her passion for plants as food, wild foraging or medicines. “I can go hiking and say I’m working,” Brookus said.

Retired as a software developer, Brookus now is attending festivals. “I like that the Madison Street Festival has separate sections for ‘Art’ and ‘Arts & Crafts.’ Visitors can choose to see just the sections that appeal to them,” she said. Her work will be shown in Artist Alley.

Currently, her work is on exhibit at Huntsville’s L/E Art Gallery and Art Strolls. A resident artist at The ARTery in Five Points, she has been a guest artist at Lowe Mill.

A California transplant, Brookus moved to the area nine years ago and has lived in Madison four-plus years. Her husband Tony works as an IT systems administrator at EarthLink.

For more information, call 256-476-5996, email to finchhollow@outlook.com or visit FinchHollowPhoto.com, Facebook/finchhollow, Twitter: @finchhollow or RecessionGardening.com.