Dawn to Dusk at Mt. Rainier National Park: Photos by Sveta Imnadze

Sveta Imnadze began taking photography seriously about 6 years ago, after her first visit to Mt Rainier National Park. It started with a photo contest she saw posted at the Mt Rainier visitor information center. To enter the contest, she had to submit photos through Flickr, a new community for her.

At that time, she didn’t know anything about SLR cameras. She had a small compact camera, and that was it. Browsing Flickr inspired her to get more involved and learn how to use a SLR camera. “Flickr became a great school of photography for me,” she says. “I learned a lot from talented professional and amateur photographers.”

She soon photographed everything she saw. After learning a concept from tutorials, she’d go out and practice it. She became a member of the Olympia Camera Club and learned a great deal from other photographers, in addition to photography books and classes.

She went back to Mt Rainier, too. Again and again. In fact, in the past five years, she’s been to the park more than 100 times.

Early Morning at Tipsoo Lake

Foggy Morning Reflection Lake

Visiting Mt Rainier so many times has allowed her to photograph the park in all seasons, at all times of day. She particularly loves going to the Tipsoo Lakes at Chinook Pass, as well as the meadows of Paradise. Her favorite time to visit is summer, when the alpine flowers start blooming and all the roads are open.

She keeps visiting the park because it brings her deep happiness. She takes some photos, goes on short hikes, and just enjoys the beauty of Mt Rainier. “Every time I go there, I am overwhelmed with joy,” she says. “I always bring back good memories: meeting new people, seeing amazing places, hiking, watching the night sky. What can be better?”

Deadhorse Creek Trail