On March 31, 2017, I had the privilege to interview Evan Russel, the curator for the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite National Park. Evan and I walked along the Merced River on the Yosemite Valley Loop trail with his colleague and fellow staff photographer, Kirk Keeler, in search of photographic opportunities and tasty peaches. The broadcast of the Evan Russel Yosemite Peaches show will be Sunday April 2, 2017 at 1 pm PDT on air & streaming at KAAD-LP 103.5 FM Sonora, California. The show with Kirk will follow in two weeks.
Evan Russel Yosemite Peaches
Evan, Kirk, and I have been friends for several years, and we have shared many Yosemite adventures together. In the interview we discuss some of Evan’s most memorable journeys through the Yosemite Wilderness, including the day he literally risked his life to save a bird known as a sooty grouse from likely execution at the hand of an animal abuser. Evan also shared some valuable information where he likes to to take friends and family members to escape the crowds and heat of Yosemite Valley in summer.
Evan Russel is local to the Yosemite region and grew up in the Sierra foothill town of Sonora, California in Tuolumne County. He left for school at UC Santa Cruz but returned to follow his passion to be a Yosemite photographer. He now lives in Yosemite National Park in an historic home in Yosemite Valley. Evan has been working at the Ansel Adams Gallery for over a decade since June 2006. He is a fine art photographer who has produced a brilliant portfolio of black and white photography. His website is evanrussel.com, and he also has a Facebook Page Evan Russel Photography.
In the interview, Evan shares the process of how he makes a fine art photographic image while sprinkling in some of his biting humor along the way. Don’t miss the Evan Russel Yosemite Peaches show Sunday April 2, 2017 at 1 pm PDT on air & streaming at KAAD-LP 103.5 FM. The podcast will be released in the week after on the Yosemite Can O Peaches Podcast Page.
The Ansel Adams Gallery is located in Yosemite Valley, between the Visitor Center and Post Office. The gallery offer hundreds of Ansel Adams images and other artwork for sale. They hold the largest collection of authorized Ansel Adams photographic images available. The gallery also hosts shows and other activities including camera walks. You may visit their website at anseladams.com.
John P. DeGrazio had his first Can O Peaches on the summit of Mt. Rainier back in 1997. John founded YExplore Yosemite Adventures in 2006 has shared the sweet rewards of many adventures as a result of that life changing moment. The concept for the Yosemite Can O Peaches Radio Show was developed throughout the years as an idea to share stories of adventurous spirits whose lives have been shaped by their connection to the natural wonders of Yosemite National Park.
Go John!
Love it to feel connected to Yosemite