You have most likely seen some of Lisa Aciukewicz's photography in The Harvard Press at one time or another. She can be spotted donning a camera at most town gatherings from proms to sporting events to community open houses. But because she is a pro you often do not notice her snapping away. Lisa, a co-owner of The Harvard Press, worked as a writer and copy editor for various magazines and corporations before she decided to tell her stories with pictures. She explains, "I came into photography on a meandering path. I worked as a copy editor for 15 years. During that time I observed that when it came to finalizing a story, writing was always pared down to make room for photos and other visuals. I eventually realized that perhaps I was on the wrong side of the stories."

In the late 1990s, Lisa began studying photography seriously by enrolling in black and white film classes. There she learned the importance of clean, clear composition, exposure adjustment, and making effective use of the available light. More importantly, it taught her to slow down even in the midst of a quickly changing scene.

Her move to digital photography was prompted by her shift into the fast-paced world of photojournalism. "Photojournalism has provided me the opportunity to pursue my passion in a very public way. I love everything about this work…the pace, the people I get to meet, and the challenge of having to think quickly and capture a story in a photo or two."

Last winter Lisa had a unique opportunity to chronicle the profound beauty of the ice storm and devastating effects of the aftermath. The Press featured a series of her dramatic storm photos depicting a rare view of our town as it was temporarily closed off from the rest of the world. What spurred her to step out into the storm and take pictures? Lisa explains "Honesty, I would not have gone out to shoot the ice storm without the encouragement of my husband. I had taken a walk with our neighbor and his boys toward the end of our road. We only got so far before we came across a huge ash tree that had fallen and completely blocked the road. Then on our way back to our houses, we met a truck driver who was desperately trying to get to Carlson Orchards to make a delivery. Every route he had tried was blocked off and he had been circling for hours. We brainstormed alternatives with him, but I honestly don’t know if he ever found his way. That’s when the enormity of this disaster began to sink in for me. I told him what we had encountered and he said, "You need to go take some pictures. I’ll drive."

"We stopped first at the General Store. There was no power…but Lyn Horowitz was cheerfully handing out what was left of her bottled water, telling folks “You can pay for this later. Don’t worry about it!" (Adam was off searching Worcester County for any remaining generators to keep the freezers at the store running). The roads were truly terrifying—downed trees and power lines everywhere while every surface was covered with broken shards of ice. But even in the midst of this chaos, there was no mistaking the sheer beauty of the landscape. I’ll never forget the sickening sight of the large pine tree in the town center cemetery lying akimbo, split in three.”

"I shot for several hours that morning, mostly in the center of town as to keep from being yet another person needing the help of emergency services. Unlike most ice storms, the ice remained thick on the trees the following day and made for an amazing contrast with a brilliant blue sky. But like everyone else, I was balancing my work with the needs of my home and family…keeping woodstoves going, collecting water for drinking and toilet-flushing, etc. Then it was off to a make-shift office that was set up in a conference room of a friend’s office building in Acton to somehow cobble a paper together. Sadly when I look at the book of images I created from the storm, I think of all the shots I wish I had taken….more photos of the shelter and emergency workers…but I, like them, had other tasks to attend to."

A selection of Lisa's ice storm photos was featured in the For Art’s Sake Artist of the Month Live Gallery space at the general store in November. She also created a gorgeous book of storm photos entitled The Great Ice Storm of 2008. The book was sold at the craft fair at the general store and is still available through the store.

Lisa enjoys her work as photo editor of The Harvard Press has been with the paper since its launch. She doesn't seem to have a favorite subject that she prefers to shoot. "I've never yet found a subject I haven't enjoyed shooting. I love them all, and I especially savor the variety my work allows me. I cannot imagine a better job to suit my background or personality. To me, it's all about the story…be it an ice storm, a child's first day of school, a veterans' award ceremony, or a burning building; I want to be there in the front row recording it. I never cease to marvel over the many privileges I have had in sharing these intimate moments with those around me, capturing it for posterity."

"Photography offers me a reflective way of looking at the world and the way it interacts with light. When I'm shooting, time has a tendency to stand still. I get so absorbed with my work that I forget everything else around me. By staying in the moment, I'm far more tuned into the sights around me. There's a very quiet moment when I stop searching for the image and the image comes to me. When I reflect back on these moments, I am awed again and again to see that I have captured the ephemeral and turned it into the immortal."

Lisa has taken courses at the Worcester Center for Crafts, the New England School of Photography, and Maine Media College. Her photographic heroes include Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Joe McNally, Edward Curtis, and Ansel Adams. While these photographers have greatly inspired her, she adds "I am also inspired by my fellow professionals and take part in photo critique groups to this day."

Photos from Lisa's collection can be ordered off her SmugMug account. The direct link is:www.a2z.smugmug.com/Harvard-Press/Ice-Storm-Shorter-Gallery.For other inquiries about her work, Lisa Acuikewicz can be contacted at lisa@harvardpress.com. Just in case you aren't exactly sure, it is pronounced "Ah-choo-KEV-vitch", though Lisa A to z works fine, too!