2025 Inspire(d) Photographers

Sponsored by

Bloom Flower Farm

Bloom is a small flower farm in Northeast Iowa run by Jen Opheim and family. At Bloom, we love to watch things grow and to be creative. It all begins with a vision. Maybe you want fresh locally grown flowers for your DIY wedding bouquets. Maybe you want to promote your business with a petite posy giveaway. Or maybe you have a flower friend who would love a unique gift of blooms through our seasonal CSA. Whatever your flower needs are, we’re happy to help. Let’s create something beautiful together!

When we switched printers in 2023, we decided to start featuring local photographers’ work in the Center Spread spot in each Inspire(d) Magazine. We wanted to show off the beauty, fun, and uniqueness of the Driftless Region through these talented photographers’ photos. We really loved our 2025 photos! Check them all out here! (And see 2023 here and 2024 here!)

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Spring 2025: Photo by Joni Welda of The Variegate Lens

Photographer Joni Welda writes:

“This image is of Como Falls in Hokah, Minnesota. The Falls is always a treat with the sounds of the water constantly flowing off the rocks and that day supplied just the right angle to get the sunburst as well while it sat just above the large rock.” See more of Joni’s work on Instagram @the_variegate_lens or at: thevariegatelens.myportfolio.com

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Summer 2025: Photo by William D. Petersen

Photographer William D. Petersen writes:

“This photo of compass plants was taken in Thompson Prairie, which is part of Upper Hixon Forest on the La Crosse Ridge in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The profusion of these compass plants and other native prairie flowers on this land can be attributed to the successful restoration work done by Craig Thompson, for whom the prairie is aptly named after. Regular readers of Inspire(d) will recognize Craig and his talented wife, Mary, as regular contributors to the magazine. Want to thank Craig for his awesome work? Check out the new organization he’s started: driftlessbirds.org.” See more of William’s photos on Flickr at rb.gy/73tzlf

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Fall 2025: Photo by Mary Anderson

Photographer Mary Anderson writes:

“The boardwalk at Pikes Peak State Park is usually heavily traveled. On this particular October morning, rain and fog can be credited for providing this tranquil scene. One feels less hurried and can linger when in a beautiful space like this on their own. I took my time and enjoyed this scene from various angles before moving on.” See more of Mary’s work at photogwillie.com.

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Winter 2025-26: Photo by Scott Boylen

Photographer Scott Boylen writes:

“This is a special image for me and my family. My wife and I drove the 20 minutes to Lansing on a cold, snowy February 20, 2019, to ‘celebrate’ the birthday of our son Samson Boylen, who would have been 18 that day if he had lived that long. He died in November of 2015, and we had the Blackhawk Bridge lit up in his honor for many years on his birthday. That evening, we parked on the East side of the main channel of the Mississippi River across from Lansing, and I walked through the fresh snow downriver on the ice to find the best vantage point. It was cold and very quiet in the snow. This bridge was a great source of excitement in the lives of our children as they grew, so it held a special place, along with its elegant beauty, in my heart. When we traveled to La Crosse or into Central and Northern Wisconsin, our son and daughter would yell as I drove over this bridge as quickly as I could in order to make the vehicle jump. This image was a long exposure using a tripod. It is an image of gratitude and resilience to my mind.” See more of Scott’s work at fineartamerica.com/profiles/scott-boylen

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