The heron is a symbol of good fortune among the Mohawks. Herons are solitary, fly long distances, mate, yet are independent. The name heronflies originated from a vision in which the heron takes off - strong, unique, yet flying with a partner, able to soar in companionship, or solo, spanning the skies and the earth.

Sally White, the sole proprietor of heronflies, has been taking photos for almost forty years. Her informal portraits are cherished, often more than the "official" photographer's. Sally uses her skills as a social worker to help the people she shoots feel at ease. She brings out the best in the people she photographs. Knowing her limits, formal portraits are not her forte, but ah, the informal portrait. Catching the heart takes a special intuition.

Sally White's photos also show an eye for nature, including animals and landscapes. At age forty, her first photography exhibit, "Whales' Tails," sold out.

It is said that a good photograph captures your attention, draws you in, takes you around, and then sends you back out, with a new vision, a new perspective. A good photo can make you smile, wince, cry, tilt your head, frown, roll your eyes, and laugh. A good portrait photo captures an essence, a feeling, a spirit, and most lovingly, warmth.

Sally's photography was launched after her training at Hollins College (now University) where in addition to coursework in the Art Department (though an English Major) she took "headshots" and informal portraits for the yearbook. Her parents gave her a post WWII Leica (parallax) for graduation. Her mother's first cousin, Silvia Saunders, gave Sally her first professional camera outfit when Sally turned 40. Sally continues to shoot with close up and telephoto lenses with her more modern Minolta 800i.

Sally grew up in the country, in Clinton, NY. She has lived in Germany (for a summer), Philadelphia, Virginia, California, and the New York City area. She has traveled to England, Scotland, Lebanon, Jordan, the Four Corners area in the Southwest United States, the Northwest, Cape Cod, the Eastern Seaboard, Vancouver, BC, Nassau, Ontario, and Quebec. Photos from those areas are supplemented by the many nature shots she finds in her backyard and neighborhood in Syracuse/Central New York.

Sally's counseling and addiction work is supplemented and complimented by her constant delight and learning with her photography, graphics, and design, and visa versa. Joy is in the appreciation of the small moments, and the balancing of it all.

Collaborating with Native Singer, Joanne Shenandoah, who has been an enthusiast of Sally's photos, has generated the spark, creating the impetus for Sally to share more of her photos, including expanding the note cards on the web. Joanne and Sally have been spotted laughing hysterically as they savor the quips Joanne serves up for the photos. We hope you too enjoy the cards, the quips, and return for more.