National award-winning photographic artist and visual designer, Norma Jean Young has won the coveted Court of Honor, the highest award given by The Professional Photographer's Society of America as well as numerous awards from The Professional Photographer's Society of New York for her outstanding photographic art.

Norma Jean attended Syracuse University on a four year scholarship, and studied art under the late Professor George VanderSluis, and photography from the late Michael Recht, Associate Dean of the School of Visual & Performing Arts. She has lectured on photography and art to students in various city schools.

Community activities:
Past Executive DIrector for Sales & Marketing Executives of Central NY (SME). past Member of the Board of Trustees of First Church of Christ, Scientist, and former First Reader.

Some thoughts about my outlook on life.

I practice looking past the limited views of life we appear to be challenged with each day in order to grasp a more spiritual view of life. This reveals amazing things. I have found that by lifting thought to a higher level where it can begin to understand and appreciate the unseen realities, beauty, and the genuine goodness of Life brings with it great joy and peace. Ohe result of this way of thinking — which has been unfolding for many years — has been the desire to translate these discoveries as best I can through photographic art — which is simply a natural and cherished by-product of this enlightenment — the purpose of which is to bless those who can appreciate it.

Some thoughts about my work.

I am a photographic artist because it is one of the most significant ways I can artistically preserve and share with others the glory and beauty of man and the universe. Beyond the necessities of learning the technical side of photography and digital darkroom techniques to image the photographic art onto canvas, the all-important aspects of intuitiveness, receptivity, watching, listening, reflecting, and caring must first be cultivated and nurtured in order to see those all-important-moments through the lens and embrace them. When I see a sunrise or sunset, a bird soaring, leaves unfurling, sunshine dappling over a brook, flowers in all their full-bloomed beauty, a vast ocean, blue sky with cumulus clouds, giant mountains, trees, a beautiful smile, the innocence of a sleeping child, a kitten curled up in a ray of light, an older couple holding hands . . . I begin to appreciate what these all signify . . . the promise of perfection . . . of life beyond our limited view of it at this moment . . . and the present beauty and comfort of life's elegant simplicity . . . if we would but open our eyes (thought) and see (understand). Sharing what I have to offer with you is something I look forward to — whether it is a commission to produce a unique work of photographic art created just for you; or to create a portrait or a dynamic web site; or, perhaps you will be inspired to purchase artwork from my 'Limited Edition' Collections in the online gallery.

For more information about our gallery prints, or to set up a telephone, studio, or in-home consultation appointment with normajean, please contact:

BILL BADER, Director of Photographic Art Services & Sales
• Cell: 315.395.5447 • Studio/Office: 315.413.6690
• E-mail: bill@visualdesignsbynormajean.com