Chasing Light – Photographs by Frank Lee Ruggles
On display January 20-March 31, 2016
About Frank Lee Ruggles
Frank Lee Ruggles is an Artist, Writer, and former Eminent Photographer for the National Park Service, a job position once occupied by his hero Ansel Adams. Often compared to this American icon, Frank is in constant search for the perfect shot, often making heroic efforts to find it.
Born in Arizona and raised in Ohio, Frank joined the US Army in 1985 as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division where he served for four years. In 1988 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and then, in 1989, a training accident left him bound for civilian life.
Frank began his photography career as a hobbyist in 1992, working in a photo lab on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Before and after work, he often hiked the trails of the Island, practicing his photographic skills and developing his shooting style. After taking thousands of images, studying Ansel Adams’ books, and with help from his wife Lisa, he found his voice and a buying audience at the photo store where he sold his photographs.
He later moved to the Washington DC area where he found work as a camera store manager, meeting hundreds of photographers and learning the business of photography by networking and sharing experiences. With his business partner, in 1999 he purchased a lab of his own, serving clients in the federal government, architects, realtors and manufacturers.
Frank has photographed over 250 of our National parks, logging over 40,000 miles on his photographic journey. He can often be found hanging off remote cliffs, hiking on active volcanoes, or sitting for sometimes hours - waiting patiently - for the perfect shot that captures the American Beauty he sees through his lens.
His hikes frequently take him far off the beaten path to discover the lesser known views of these well known places. He has committed to not only searching out, documenting, and sharing the beauty of America, but also has committed to protect it through education and fundraising for preservation foundations. He was currently named Artist Ambassador to the National Park Trust and is developing his adventures into a TV series to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the National Parks Service.
For more information, contact the artist at [email protected].
Gallery Information
The exhibit is on display at the GW Virginia Science & Technology Campus, Enterprise Hall, 44983 Knoll Square, First Floor Gallery, Ashburn, VA 20147. It is free and open to the public.
The exhibit hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m., 7 days a week. Please contact building security to ensure access at (571) 553-3511or (202) 815-9741. For more information please contact the Office of Corporate and Community Relations by email or by calling (571) 553-5002.