Photographer Téa Lamboley, whose work has recently been featured on the Matthiessen State Park page of the Official 2020 LaSalle Country Visitors Guide, is a Starved Rock Country native with a passion for capturing striking images of Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Park.
Her subjects often include roaring water features or canopies of trees caught during the changing of seasons, these images are evocative and highlight the feeling of adventure one gets when visiting the parks. Ahead of the re-opening of Starved Rock and Matthiessen, we reached out to Lamboley to share some of her favorite photos she's captured at the parks in recent years.
(Kaskaskia Canyon’s active waterfall on a rainy day at Starved Rock State Park--Summer 2019)
(LaSalle Canyon’s active waterfall on a rainy day at Starved Rock State Park--Summer 2019)
SRC: How did you first get into photography?
TL: My passion for photography began in 2013 when my family and I traveled to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. I took hundreds of photos of the area, and I was impressed at how well many of them turned out. Prior to the trip, I didn't have much experience with photography, but after that, I knew I wanted to explore the medium more.
(Sunlight peeking out above the fall colors at Eagles Cliff Overlook at Starved Rock State Park--Fall 2019)
SRC: Did you take any classes or were you primarily self taught?
TL: I ended up taking a class at La Salle-Peru Township High School, where I graduated from in May 2017. It was there that I learned that photography is a lot more than just picking up a camera and hitting the shutter button. Though the class was quite challenging, but it did help me develop my skills as a photographer.
(Looking out to the Lower Dells at Matthiessen State Park--Fall 2019)
SRC: What's your primary subject matter?
TL: Over the past several years, I have been mostly photographing natural scenes around Starved Rock Country. I created a Facebook page shortly after I graduated high school so I could share some of these photos beyond my circle of friends and family.
(St Louis Canyon waterfall flowing at Starved Rock State Park--Summer 2019)
SRC: When did you realize that capturing these scene was more than just a hobby for you?
TL: As my page slowly grew, I realized that photography was more like a feeling to me than just a simple hobby. When I get the perfect shot, I can look back at my work and have something to really be proud of.
(Téa Lamboley lining up a shot--Summer 2019)
SRC: Where can people find more of your work?
TL: They visit out my Facebook Page, Téa Lamboley Photography, for more photos of Starved Rock Country.