2026 Community Favorite Winner

Congratulations to Steve Barger Nature Photographer, our 2026 Community Favorite winner! Throughout May, visitors explored the shop, cast their ballots, and shared thoughtful comments about the artists who inspired them. As a result, Steve earned this year’s top honor through community support and appreciation for his remarkable photography.

Steve’s images invite viewers into places many people never experience firsthand. From icy northern landscapes to rare wildlife encounters, his photography builds connections between people and the natural world. Moreover, his work reminds us that nature often rewards patience, preparation, and persistence.

Steve Barger Nature Photographer

Steve has photographed wildlife and landscapes for more than 25 years. During that time, he has traveled extensively throughout northern regions of North America and Europe while searching for unforgettable moments in nature.

However, capturing those moments rarely comes easily.

Many of Steve’s photographs require long travel days, harsh weather conditions, and extended periods of waiting. He often journeys into remote locations where transportation options remain limited and equipment space stays restricted. Even so, these challenges are part of what makes his work extraordinary.

One of Steve’s best-known experiences happened during a trip to Manitoba’s Wapusk National Park. For days, he sat in frigid temperatures waiting near a polar bear den. At first, nothing appeared. Then after nearly a week of waiting, a bear finally emerged. Unfortunately, those first photographs failed to capture the moment he imagined.

Still, Steve returned.

On his final day, his patience paid off when a mother polar bear and her cubs emerged from the den. Because of his persistence, he captured the moving wildlife images he had traveled so far to find.

Creating a Personal Connection with Nature

Steve’s goal extends beyond documenting wildlife. Instead, he strives to create personal connections between viewers and the natural world.

His photographs preserve moments many people may never encounter in person: northern lights sweeping across dark skies, intimate wildlife behaviors, and landscapes transformed by seasons and climate.

Consequently, viewers often find themselves pulled into the scene rather than simply observing it.

Explore His Work

A wide variety of Steve’s photography is available at Purple Paisley Local Artisan Shop.

As this year’s Community Favorite winner, Steve joins a growing tradition of artists recognized not only for technical skill but also for the connections their work creates with visitors. His images continue to spark conversations, curiosity, and appreciation for the natural world.

Take time to explore the details in each image and imagine the journeys behind them. Each photograph reflects patience, travel, and countless hours spent waiting for the right moment to unfold.

Stop in this month to congratulate Steve, explore his award-winning photography, and discover why our community selected him as this year’s favorite artist.

---

#PurplePaisleyArtisanShop #CovingtonArtists #LocalArtGalleryCovingtonKY #NaturePhotography
#CincinnatiLocalArtists