Webinar - Approaching Abstraction by Beth Buelow

About the Webinar

You’re likely familiar with the expression, “what has been seen cannot be unseen.” This is certainly true; it’s also not entirely true. As photographers, we see what is, while at the same time being challenged to unsee what is so that we can see what else it is.

This is how we cultivate our abstract eye: suspending what we know, getting curious, and playing. Join me as I share my complete process of noticing, photographing, processing, and presenting abstract images. Along the way I’ll offer ideas for how you can cultivate and expand your capacity to express yourself using an abstract and non-literal approach.

About the Presenter

Beth Buelow is a Michigan-based artist, coach, and educator specializing in abstract and minimalist photography. Beth’s creative philosophy is simple: If you’re not amazed, you’re not paying attention. Inspired by Walt Whitman’s words, “I am large, I contain multitudes,” Beth’s photography reflects a multifaceted approach, both in subject matter and aesthetic. If there’s one constant, it’s her playful, often unexpected perspective on nature, architecture, and everyday objects. In addition to photography, she loves creating cyanotypes, Zentangles, and alcohol ink art.

Her YouTube podcast, “Pixels,” features conversations with leading photographers, exploring the heart and art of photography. Her work has been exhibited in Michigan, Texas, Missouri, and Oregon, and recognized by prestigious competitions, including the Minimalist Photography Awards, Neutral Density Awards, Fine Art Photography Awards, World Landscape Photographer, and the Monochrome Awards, among others. She’s twice been a featured photographer in the ICM Photo Magazine and presented three consecutive years as part of the Attendee Takeover at Out of Chicago Live. Beth is increasingly in demand as an educator, offering webinars and presentations as part of the Horizons Fall Photography Conference, Nature Photography Collective Speaker Series, Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour, and camera clubs across the country.

Beth is the author of “The Introvert Entrepreneur: Amplify Your Strengths and Create Success on Your Own Terms.” She’s a Professional Certified Coach, a credential awarded by the International Coach Federation, and ​​serves as Adjunct Faculty for George Mason University’s Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being program.

Upcoming projects include leading a creativity mastermind program in fall 2025 and a Midwest photography retreat/workshop in 2026, both in collaboration with the Nature Photography Collective.

Website: https://www.bethbuelowphotography.com/





3 Likes

Hi Beth

I am a volunteer program coordinator for the Sunshine Coast Camera Club in BC, Canada. I watched with interest your absorbing presentation on abstract photography for NPN. Would you be available to offer this talk to us? We meet the first Tuesday of each month on Zoom to listen to a guest speaker. I’m hoping to schedule your session for Tuesday March 03, 2026 from 7-9 pm Pacific Standard Time. This allows for questions from members following your talk. Each member is tasked with conceptualizing images in that month’s theme which we share with the speaker about three weeks later. It challenges our members to break out of habits and experiment with different techniques. I’m sorry for the short timeline, but we had a recent cancellation I am hoping you can fill.

We are a small club of only 30 members but we are enthusiastic, with many talented artists. I know they would really enjoy your presentation. We can offer a small honorarium of $150 Canadian. Please let me know if my proposal is of interest to you. Laura Maddalozzo

@madd_laura Thanks for your query! Would you follow up with me at beth @ bethbuelowphotography.com ? We can pick up the thread from there :slight_smile: Look forward to hearing from you!