Sonja Bronson - Photographer

Photographer Sonja Bronson lives high on a hilltop overlooking Bear Valley Springs and portions of the San Joaquin Valley. With husband Dan and house cat, Pumpkin, she enjoys a life filled with nature just outside her door. She has amassed a fine collection of bald eagle photos recently when a large family of them visited her home and for days played and cavorted before her lens. A long time member of the Bear Valley Cultural Arts Association she has been a consistent donor of her work for the yearly art show and sale put on by the Art Association. The Loop newspaper caught up to Ms. Bronson recently in her home studio. Over coffee we explored her thoughts as an artist.

Sonja, you’re well known around the valley for your animal photos. In particular your Quail Trilogy study. I see this year you are donating a beautful landscape photo. Is this a new trend for you?

Sonja: “Not really, I enjoy photographing nature in all its many forms. This year’s donation I took at the lily pond at the Norton Simon Museum. I recently was told it looks very painterly, that felt good because that was the look I was after when I took it”.

The last time we met was nearly two years ago, have you grown as a photographer since then?

Sonja: “Oh, well I hope so. I know I’m not afraid of failing at new photography attempts. Digital has, of course, made failure a lot less expensive. I would say I feel the camera and I have become more of a team. I have been meeting with other photographers and visual artists recently and this just seems to fuel the passion for my art form”.

Any new camera equipment?

Sonja: “I still shoot mostly with my Cannon Rebel. I recently bought a new Tamron Zoom Lens, which covers the 200 to 500 mm range. I also purchased a pocket size Lumix camera. I hope to use it for a more personal, less obtrusive style of photography.”

Tell us a little about your digital

computer skills.

Sonja: “ I am not really a computer creator, as some are called. I compose in the view finder and try to do all color corrections and focus selections within the camera. Shooting in raw does leave me lots of opportunity to tweak in Photoshop but I don’t enjoy sitting around at a computer; much rather be out taking images”.

A closing thought for our readers?

Sonja: “What ever your medium is, do it with passion and pleasure. As for me, I take photos to share and capture an emotional experience. I enjoy and maybe as an artist need to share this experience with others. We are all different and it’s fun to see how my work is received by others”.

The 31st Bear Valley Springs Annual Art Show and Sale, hosted by the Bear Valley Springs Cultural Arts Association, will take place at the Oak Tree Country Club in Bear Valley Springs, Tehachapi. It will commence on March 28 with a “meet the artist” reception from 4 till 7 p.m.

Art remains hung for viewing and sale until April 5.

Guests who do not have a pass will need only to notify the Bear Valley gate that they wish to attend the art event at the BVS Country Club.