Wendy & Jake
Truckee, California
Wendy Trabert is a native Californian is an avid wildlife photographer who lives in Truckee, California and the Bay Area with her husband Don and dog, Jake. Since being retired as an exercise specialist and gym owner in Marin, Wendy has discovered her passion for photography in Truckee. If she does not have a camera in her hands capturing Tahoe’s amazing wildlife, you will find her on the golf course enjoying her other passion.
Wendy’s enthusiasm of having the opportunity of being able to capture amazing photos of Tahoe’s wildlife has inspired her to start creating greeting cards, coasters and fine art prints as an avenue to give back to the local Tahoe community.
Wendy loves the opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural environment and the challenge to capture a great photo as close up as possible. The connection she feels is breathtaking when their eyes do happen to meet and her presence is accepted. This is one of the most incredible sensations for her as a photographer. Wendy always treats wildlife with respect as to not scare them while always keeping safety a priority for the wildlife and herself.
It all started when…
It was the first week in our new home in Truckee. While having lunch I was gazing out the kitchen window thinking to myself how blessed we are when I noticed movement in our neighbors pine tree. I jumped out of my chair grabbing my trusty iPhone screaming, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, it’s a Bald Eagle… it’s in the tree! It scared the heck out of my husband and dog as I was screaming with excitement. Needless to say and with much disappointment, the iPhone could not capture this beautiful bird.
After missing a lot of wildlife photo opportunities we finally decided to buy a good camera for our Christmas gift to each other. You know one of those all in ones that would zoom out to 600mm and would be easy to use. I was in heaven when I got some great photos with our new camera. Unbeknownst to me, midsummer 2016 my husband summited a few of my photos to a local community photo contest. This was the first for me and I was shocked when I won first place for my very overexposed coyote photo. He is still hanging on the wall to remind me how far I have come.
When my daughter would visit she would keep pushing me to take lessons as she saw my passion for photography grow along with frustration in capturing a great photo. Then for Christmas 2017 she gave me the best gift, photography lessons! I was so excited but nervous at the same time to schedule my first lesson. It took me more than month to do so. I finally had my first lesson in Sausalito early February 2018. I bought my first camera kit less than a month later. I was head over heels about wildlife photography.
I truly have to say that this is all my daughter’s fault! It is now a running comment in our family.
My Camera Kit:
Sony A1 (2) ~ Sony 24-70 F/2.8 GM ~ Sony 100-400 F/4.5-5.6 GM ~ Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter ~ Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G ~ Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS. Sony A7RIII (Sold) ~ Sony A7RIV (Sold)
Achievements & Press:
Lahontan Magazine: Truckee, CA.
2016 First Place Photo Contest - Coyote
2018 Third Place Photo Contest - Coyote
2019 First Place Photo Contest - A Mother’s Love
Moon Shine Ink: Truckee, CA.
January 2020 Parting Shot ~ January 9,2020 ~ Vintage 18, Nip 2
March 2020 Cover & Photo Contributor ~ March 12, 2020 ~ Vintage 18, Nip 4
November 2020 Cover - November 12, 2020 ~ Vintage 18, Nip 12
About the Photo: A Mother’s Love ~ On Mother’s day in 2019 I was lucky enough to capture some incredible shots of the mama bear and her two cubs out for their usual bear play, eating and a lazy day sleeping in the pine trees. It was really amazing to be able to watch how nurturing she was to her cubs.
Just a few fun photos…
