Welcome to Swoyer Photography! This is a very exciting weekend for us. Not only is it the first week of summer, but it is also the first week our website is officially up and running. I am a New England photographer based in the Brattleboro area. Since it is the first official blog of our new site, let me introduce myself (Laura) and the other half of Swoyer Photography, my fiance Mike.

I grew up in a very small New Hampshire town. I come from a hardworking, "salt of the earth" New England family. When I was little I wanted to be a veterinarian. When I got a little older I changed my mind and set my heart on marine biology. I went to school in RI and realized my dream of being a marine biologist when I graduated from Roger Williams University and got a job in California teaching marine science. I worked on Catalina Island with a small group of amazing people. It changed my life in the best way possible. I got to be in the water every day. I dove, snorkeled, and hiked my way around the island for four amazing years. 

During that time I met Michael Max Oster. He was also a biologist, ocean-lover, and all around adventurer. Two years later the two of us left Catalina in search of adventure and found it in Hawaii. We worked as naturalists for an ecotour company and enjoyed island living in one of the most beautiful places on earth (Maui) for the next three years.

It is hard to be surrounded by wildlife, both above and below the surface of the water, and not take photographs. I purchased my first underwater camera in 2005, got my first DSLR in 2006 and haven't looked back. Photography has evolved from a hobby into a passion. 

A couple years ago I had an epiphany. I wanted to be a "photographer". I wanted to refine my craft and technique. Up until that point I had photographed hundreds of fish, sharks, and dolphins, and a few people. Photographing underwater taught me how to use natural light to the best of my ability, but I felt as though I had barely scratched the surface and wanted to learn more. 

Mike, the most patient, understanding person I have ever met, consented to put our lives on hold and move to Western Massachusetts so that I could attend one of the best photography schools in the country.

Mike and I have travelled the country and parts of the world together. We have lived in CA, HI, WA, MA, and are about to make the move to VT. We are excited to start a new chapter in our lives and I am thrilled to be doing something that I truly love.

Please feel to contact us with questions, comments, or just to say hi!