Eyes of Buck

Durham Township’s visual cheerleader.
By Dava Guerin

Kathleen Connally might just be the Ansel Adams of this rural Bucks County Township. Through her photoblog, she has captured the tranquil beauty and mystery of life under the radar.

Durham Township may be one of the smallest townships in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, but thanks to Kathleen Connally, millions of people from around the world know it in the most personal of ways. From leaves gathering on the ground, or and an old man watching the world go by—to cumulous clouds seeming to touch the horizon—there isn’t any aspect of this nine square-mile area that hasn’t been explored by Connally. At least with her camera.

For the past six years, this former Franklin Mint management executive has been on a mission. Her dream was to be able to use her love of photography and respect for nature and the environment to capture the beauty of her home—Durham Township.

Durham Township is located at the northeastern end of Bucks County along the Delaware River. While it’s one of the smallest of the 31 Bucks County Townships, it is among the prettiest, and most historical as well. In the early 1700’s, it officially became a township, and prior to that it was owned by the Durham Iron Company. It also holds the distinction of being the place where Robert Durham built the first “Durham Boat” that was used by George Washington to cross the Delaware.

But for Connally, 46, her love of Durham Township literally changed her life, primarily through the launch of her web site www.durhamtownship.com.

“I worked in corporate America for 15 years, primarily helping the Franklin Mint with marketing and sales,” Connally said. “After that I moved to Seattle where I did direct marketing of art materials. Everyone around me had a degree in fine arts and they were so creative, and that made me realize I wanted to be back in the arts full time.”

Ever since she was a child, Connally had a camera in her hands. She was always taking pictures, and recalls how passionate she was about putting them in catalogs, and always thinking about the images she wanted to create. “It’s just a drive I have, and have always had. When I got a little older I realized that I was passionate about photography as well as saving the land. When we moved back to Pennsylvania, which was my hometown, I decided to make a career change of sorts. My husband and I had a child, and it was the perfect time to make the switch from corporate America to something I was so passionate about,” she added.

Durham Township: The World’s Neighborhood

While Durham Township may not be as recognizable as other American cities or towns such as Las Vegas, South Beach or Seattle, it has become a fascination for Internet users who have come to rely on Connally’s photoblog for its stunning photographs and images of the people, places and things that comprise her 10-mile radius landscape.  “I decided to first show my family and friends where I lived through my web site, and I took pictures all the time so they could see this beautiful part of the world,” she said. “I also wanted to showcase, through my photos, the beauty of one of the most magical places on earth, but also to make people aware of the need to protect and save the land. Through my work I hope to help people understand the level of impact development has on our eco-system. Its basic things like when we over- build, how does that impact the birds and creatures, or water flow and drainage. The photos capture, for me, what nature is all about in the most pure way, and it’s those images that I want people to reflect, and realize that they should be preserved and protected.”

Connally estimates that she receives more than two million hits a year on her web site, and visitors from 130 countries are among her most devoted fans. Molly Mavis from Hong Kong said: “I’m totally awed by your photography. Love all your pictures. Two thumbs up!” And, Holly Brown from Utah said: “Kathleen Connally has the most beautiful vision of her home. Her photos are stunning, and thought provoking and peaceful. You can really tell how much she loves where she is because it just shines through in her photography. She loves the people, their lifestyles, and the natural beauty in everyday life. Every time I feel stuck in a rut with my work, this is where I go to refresh myself.”

Connally uses a Canon 5D Mark II camera and shoots in RAW + JPEG format. “This digital medium allows me to spend more hours in-the-field shooting, rather than post-processing time in the lab,” she added.

Her devotion to her craft and subject matter allows her to tell the story of Durham Township in the most intimate, detailed and passionate way possible. “I love getting close to the community and understanding how people and nature are so intertwined,” said Connally. “I try to find locations that show how light is striking part of the landscape, and I always say, even when people are my subjects, it’s still the light that speaks to me.”

For this modest natural artist, she hesitates to describe the photograph she is most proud. “I guess you could say that my whole body of work, within this 10-mile radius, is my greatest achievement. Now, wherever I travel, I always post my shots on the site, and I’m blessed to know that people have responded so positively. If I can help them understand the importance of preserving the land, not just here in Durham Township, but all around this great country, then I will be proud.”
Dava Guerin is Bucks & Montgomery Living Magazine’s People Editor.