Lois Christeller
at Fox Run in Novi, Michigan

Always ready with her sophisticated digital camera (or her 35 mm equipment, depending on what she’s shooting), Lois Christeller is an accomplished photographer with long-time membership in the Photographic Society of America (PSA).

“I have two, because I compete all over the United States,” Lois explains.

Of course, she’s doing what comes naturally, since she’s been snapping since her teens.

“I first got into it in high school, photographing my classmates and events for the yearbook,” she says. “I had a dark room with my brother in the basement of our home, in a converted closet. And I continued taking picture in college, too.”

 She now does a lot of photography around the Fox Run community where she lives.

Capturing the moment: “I turned to taking family photographs, after I graduated, married, and settled down. But when I moved to another retirement community, I joined a camera club. In 12 years, I learned a lot. And I’ve enjoyed it ever since.”

Active member of PSA: “I spent two years in Maryland as chairman of the Mid-Atlantic chapter of PSA, and I’ve gone to the annual conference for seven years. It’s held in a different city every year. Here in Michigan, I’ve joined the Detroit Photographers Guild.”

Competing to win: “I regularly enter PSA competitions, and I have a star for color slides and a star for nature slides. A star means that the photographer has between 18 and 36 acceptances in the salons (competitions) held every year. Various camera clubs run the salons and have outside, professional judges.”

Photographic subjects: “My favorite subjects are landscapes and nature.”

Most memorable photographic experience: “I went to a PSA meeting in Minneapolis, and they arranged a photo shoot at the Minnesota Wildlife Connection, a game preserve without cages.