Into Stillness and Light: Kelly O'Leary’s Platinum Award–Winning Long Exposure Work in Nature & Experimental Photography

In the quiet embrace of untouched wilderness, moments of profound beauty often appear and vanish in the span of a breath. For photographer Kelly O’Leary, one such moment became the heart of A Quiet Place—the long-exposure composition that earned the Platinum Award in the Nature & Experimental Photography at the Best Photography Awards UK 2025 Autumn Season.

Captured along the secluded shoreline of a remote Georgia state park, the image reflects her intuitive approach to observing and honoring nature. Working with shifting light, tranquil waters, and the graceful silhouettes of moss-draped Cypress and Tupelo trees, she transforms a fleeting glow at dusk into a meditation on calm, depth, and the poetry of the natural world. Rooted in patience and emotion, A Quiet Place stands as a testament to her ability to reveal the quiet sanctuaries that often lie hidden within the landscape—inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and rediscover the restorative power of nature.

Q: Could you share the background and setting of this award-winning photo?

Kelly: ''This moment of quiet reflection was captured along lake's edge in a remotely located Georgia state park where the serene waters are teeming with thick stands of moss-adorned Cypress and Tupelos. This is a truly special place; tranquil and meditative. As the sun began its descent, there was an indescribable stillness, the cool, crisp March air hovered amongst the trees like ghostly whispers and a momentary glow washed upon their sturdy bodies.'' 

Q: Is there a particular detail in this photo that you especially love?

Kelly: ''The light, a precious gift. The trees are dense here and the dappled light tends to be transient, dependent on cloud cover above and movement in the towering canopies. Patiently awaiting illumination to spill into the scene resulted in a dramatic interplay of light and shadow that eloquently carved out shapes and forms while offering an almost limitless depth and deeper sense of emotion.''

Q: Did you have any specific inspiration or artistic concept in mind during the creation?

Kelly: ''Nature itself is endlessly inspiring, it's a magnificent, constantly shifting canvas that truly requires an intuitive approach when capturing. My goal in each of my compositions is to convey a peaceful calm, I do this by quietly observing the landscape and searching for those hidden, intimate moments that tell the story of that time and place. The lithe, sinuous form of the tree placed in foreground and elegantly draped in a sash of moss, became that moment, even more so as its face became bathed in light. From an artistic standpoint, employing long exposure further conveyed a gentle sensitivity and enhanced the quiet serenity of the scene, smoothing the water and softening the trees reflections in order to create a more surreal, dreamlike effect that truly conveyed the stillness of this magical place.''

Q: What do you hope viewers will feel or reflect upon when they see this photo?

Kelly: ''To become absorbed in the peaceful quietude filling the spaces between the ancient relics inhabiting this hallowed space. To momentarily step away from the noise of the outside world and be ushered into the sanctuary found in nature, a moment to reflect and to find appreciation. The world is rich with awe-inspiring beauty that surrounds us, my greatest hope is that we nurture and care for these natural spaces in the same way they nurture us.''

Social: www.instagram.com/kelly_oleary_photography

Website: Coastal Photography & Abstracts, GA | Kelly O'Leary Fine Art