Washington County SPCA Newsletter SPRING 2014 | Page 7

when he was in the fourth grade, he moved to Bartlesville with his
family and ran his own recycling pick-up business for three years. “My
taste in toys was always pretty expensive,” admits Blumer, “and my
parents wanted me to learn the value of a dollar so I could help earn
some of those things. The first thing I bought by myself was a digital
camera. I was interested in technology and with the new camera, I got
into digital photography at a young age.”

It Takes a Village

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

and to an animal in a shelter, it may be just those words that
by Brandy Glass
help find them a forever home.

What makes a photographer tick? It’s a variety of things, of
course, depending on the photographer. Mark Blumer, 22, has been
interested in photography since he attended Central Middle School and
has taught himself much of what he knows on the subject by doing,
reading, watching demonstration videos on the Internet and from
mentors he’s encountered along the way.

Blumer has been an entrepreneur since he was about five
years old. He was born in Anchorage, Alaska and it was there he had a
job taking care of neighbors’ pets when they were on vacation. Later,

“My parents, Dave and Marilyn Blumer, always encouraged
me to pursue my interests and to find my passion. I was extremely
fortunate to have been raised by parents who both find joy in what they
do for a living. My mom expresses her creativity through writing so she
has been very supportive of my desire to be a photographer. My dad
has always taught me the value of developing my skills and talents. He’s
a Principal Scientist with ConocoPhillips and knows the importance of
attending seminars and conferences as opportunities to learn, network
and teach others what he knows.” Blumer continued, “During my
freshman year of college I picked up my father’s 1977 Canon F-1 SLR
film camera which he had purchased in his college days. Although I
always had some interest in taking pictures, learning how to use that
camera is what got me hooked on photography.”

During the summer of 2012, Blumer interned at Andrea Mann
Photography in downtown Bartlesville and will always be grateful for
that opportunity to learn from her. “We had a great working relationship
and I learned so much from Andrea about not just taking pictures, but
the actual business of professional photography.”

In late 2012, Lindy Kidd, WCSPCA board member and
longtime Blumer family friend, recruited Mark to photograph animals in
need of adoption. “Although I never previously considered doing animal
photography, it has been a wonderful and eye-opening opportunity
to employ what I love doing in a way that can help the shelter. It is
incredible to see the passion and commitment of employees and other
volunteers at the WCSPCA. Seeing the work that goes into running the
shelter is beyond comprehension so I am glad to help when I can, even
in a small way.”

As in all areas of arts and science, one never knows everything
there is to know. “I learn something every time I go out on a shoot. Bo
Wilson has helped me get experience by providing opportunities for me
to photograph the Olive Drop at the Price Tower on New Year’s Eve and
for the Westside Community Center’s annual fundraiser, All That Jazz.
Growing up in Oklahoma has probably helped a lot, too. There’s not
much else to do other than take pictures of the interesting landscapes,
wildlife, not to mention people of Oklahoma.”

Blumer is a business major at OSU and will be graduating this
May. His photography can be viewed on:
flickr.com/markblumer
and
markblumerphoto.squarespace.com

ON OUR COVER: Hi! My name is Harley. My fur is the shiniest black
from my nose to the tip of my tail. Even my beautiful whiskers are solid
black! I love to follow people around and interact with humans. I got to be
the model for the cover because I am so well behaved. It was so much fun!
While I didn’t try to run off, I was so overloaded with sights and sounds
that sometimes it was difficult to focus on showing off just how handsome
I really am. There were warm houses all around me and I kept drifting off
into a day dream of what it will be like when I get my forever home. Mr.
Mark and Ms. Dawnette gave me lots of salmon treats to help be keep on
track. If you have a place in your arms for me, please come adopt me. You
can visit the website www.wcspca.org/cats.php and find everyone who is
available. Thanks for your consideration.

Harley
SPRING 2014

WASHINGTON COUNTY SPCA

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