Local Pastor to Exhibit Photography on Explore
Though his day job centers around the pulpit, Pastor Daryn Bahn of Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield enjoys moonlighting as a photographer. Passionate about nature and art, Bahn has undertaken dozens of hikes throughout the state, capturing various wildlife scenes with his trusty camera.
“I’ve loved photography as long as I can remember, and, in fact, art. At one point in my life, I wanted to be a medical illustrator, believe it or not,” said Bahn. “I remember, when I was in grade school, that my dad brought home a Canon AE-1 film camera. I got to use it only on rare occasions, but it came with a book on photography, that I read and re-read many times.”
Though without any professional training in photography (not even one class), Bahn is an avid reader on anything photography, studying techniques and perfecting his skills. Specializing in nature photography, Bahn enjoys taking trips with his son, Andrew.
“Andrew, my son, is autistic. He knows the state of Wisconsin like the back of his hand, every town, every highway. He’s far better than a GPS and has kept me from getting lost on many occasions,” said Bahn, adding that he enjoys their father-son bonding hikes. “I began to notice that during the hikes, we developed a relationship that can only be forged from hiking miles and miles and miles together.”
Not only does Bahn capture incredible photos during these hikes, he also is inspired.
“There is a real sense of accomplishment from tackling a challenging climb or a tricky segment of the Ice Age Trail,” he said. “We also learned to appreciate silence, and what it means to just sit there, and take a deep breath of clean air, and be relaxed and at peace, just in the moment. Photography is a way to express all that–much better than I can with words.”
His hiking and photography experiences lend themselves well to his preaching, with many of his hiking adventures being woven into his sermons.
“In general, each hike involves some challenge that must be overcome, and, in the process, some lesson learned,” he explained. “Quite often, now, it’s a photographic challenge, and an attempt to overcome it, and a lot of learning in the process, too!”
Whether a stroll around Wildwood Park or a challenging hike down the Ice Age Trail, Bahn has a unique ability to capture wildlife in their natural settings. Scenic landscapes at various state parks and wildlife areas are also a specialty. Bahn loves using the medium of photography to share his experiences with others.
“Seeing a bird or a butterfly, a deer or a sunset, never ceases to give me goosebumps! Then, when I take a picture of it, I can not only learn about what I’ve seen but can share it with others, too,” he said. “I love noticing what others might miss, and then sharing it for anyone who may be interested to see it.”
Bahn is excited to continuing perfecting his art and sharing his photography with others.
“Capturing a singular moment in time, or being able to tell a story with color and light, or being able to express how I feel, what’s not to love about that?” he added. “Of course, I don’t just love taking photographs! I have a few photographer friends who are so talented and really inspire me!”
Bahn’s work will be featured on Explore Marshfield, accompanying various articles and features! Keep an eye out for some of his amazing work! Also visit his website here!
