Connie VillaConnie Villa's photography graces this book. She holds a degree in Environmental Design with emphasis in Architecture. In the early 1990s when the U.S. economy faced one of many recessions, her career as an intern architect came to an end and her proessional life pivoted in a way that was completely different. Her world was altered by what became her second temporary career as a surgical assistant (yes, she went to school to become one). Working in the hospital operating room, Connie experienced a shift in priorities, faced with observations about what was essential and non-essential in life, and what made people genuinely happy: having a great family and good health. It was during this time in 1995 that Connie and Nan met. Their genuine love and respect for one another and each other's family has been the core of their relationship spanning more than 25 years. Together they have enjoyed traveling, careers, watching grandnieces and grandnephews grow, and attending many family gatherings. Nan's acts of love, her kindness, generous nature, and strength of character are what Connie cherishes the most. She feels blessed to have Nan in her life.For the last 20-plus years, Connie worked as a forensic architectural consultant, investigating construction-related defects. Connie's love of the natural environment ignited her passion for landscape and embarked on her nature photography journey in 2012 while she and Nan lived in Monterey, California. Connie is a self-taught photographer. Her style is an expression of moments captured and details of tranquility that soothe the soul and inspire the spirit. She has studied at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops with nature and architectural master photographers, and earned a certificate for landscape and travel photography at the New York Institute of Photography. Connie's photography can be seen in collections at private homes and business offices. Her photography has been on exhibit in San Diego and New York. To see more of her work, please visit Cvillaphoto.com. Read More Read Less