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Q: What impact do you hope your work has on viewers and the broader artistic community?A: I hope my work serves as a powerful tool for raising awareness about the crucial mission of zoos in preserving species for future generations. Through my photography and digital art, I aim to highlight the beauty and uniqueness of animals, drawing attention to their plight and the efforts being made to protect them. By capturing the essence of these creatures and presenting them in a compelling way, I want to inspire viewers to appreciate and support conservation efforts. For the broader artistic community, I hope my work encourages fellow artists to use their talents to advocate for important causes and to blend traditional techniques with modern innovations in their creative processes. Ultimately, I want my art to not only be visually appealing but also to convey a meaningful message about the importance of preserving wildlife and supporting the vital work that zoos do in conservation.Q: What has been the most rewarding moment of your career so far?A: That%u2019s a tough one, but I would say winning Photographer of the Year in the International Society of Animal Photographers (ISAP) competition this spring stands out as one of the most rewarding moments of my career. This prestigious competition requires photographers to merit in five categories, scoring 80 or above out of 100. They recently removed the technique of painting in Photoshop from most categories, so I had to re-edit my images without using those techniques. I entered seven categories and ended up winning five of them, which was a huge and unexpected honor. Additionally, I won the American Society of Photographers (ASP) Spring competition, another highly prestigious event. This competition is particularly special to me because I played a role in its inception. I started advocating for this competition in the summer of 2020, presenting to the board of directors on why their organization needed such an event. Q: Can you talk about any upcoming projects or exhibitions you are particularly excited about?A: I am very excited about my ongoing series of Equine workshops, where I travel around the country teaching participants how to create art from their images of horses. This has been an incredibly rewarding experience, combining my love for equine photography and my passion for teaching. So far this year, I%u2019ve conducted workshops in Texas, Michigan, and North Carolina. My next workshop is scheduled for the end of July in upstate NY, and I am particularly looking forward to the one in Pennsylvania this fall. Each location offers a unique environment and a new group of enthusiastic participants, which keeps the experience fresh and inspiring. Q: How do you see the future of photography and art evolving, and what role do you hope to play in it?A: I see the future of photography and art evolving rapidly with the integration of advanced technologies like AI. These tools are opening up new possibilities for creativity and expression, allowing artists to push boundaries in ways that were previously unimaginable. I believe that AI will become an integral part of the artistic process, enhancing our ability to create, edit, and share our work.In this evolving landscape, I hope to be someone on the cutting edge of these advancements, helping to educate and guide students in using AI in a safe and beneficial way. My goal is to demonstrate the positive potential of AI in art and photography, helping others to see the good it can bring to our creative endeavors. By incorporating AI into my workshops and teachings, I aim to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to leverage these technologies effectively, fostering a new generation of artists who are both innovative and responsible.Judy Reinfordwww. judyreinfordphotography.comwww.education.judyreinfordphotography.com (education)Instagram.com/judyreinfordFacebook.com/judyreinfordphotography22 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 48