Charles Seifried – Photographer, Activist, Friend to Wild Places
Charles Seifried is a renowned photographer and dedicated forest advocate. He has spent much of his professional career documenting the incredible landscapes of the South, and has introduced countless individuals to the amazing natural beauty of our wildest places.
His photographic works inspire wonder, awe, and appreciation, and played a pivotal role in the fight to save the Bankhead National Forest many years ago. Charles has continued this legacy as the author of six books which capture the visually-stunning wild character of the South’s wild lands, and empower individuals to explore their wild places.
Charles recently sat down with Anne Markham Bailey of Present Tense Podcast to tell his incredible story as part of the podcast series “The Fight for Alabama’s Last Wild Places.”
Below is a transcribed excerpt of his podcast introduction, as told by Anne Markham Bailey:
Charles Seifried is a larger than life human being, physically large, big hands, big laugh, big heart, expansive mind, and large format photographs. His stunning photos of the Bankhead National Forest and Sipsey Wilderness in the Bankhead Monitor, Wild Alabama, and Wild South magazines played an important role in raising awareness and opening wallets for the cause of changing United States Forest Service policy in the Bankhead National Forest.
Anne Markham Bailey – Producer of Present Tense Podcast
Charles grew up traveling the world with his parents, as his father posed as a shipping magnate but was actually a CIA operative at that time. Charles worked as a stevedore on the Mississippi River, as a truck driver, furniture mover, cook and bottle washer, and in the toy and textile business before finding his journey as a photographer. His work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, The Economist, Business Week, National Geographic and many more. He is the winner of multiple local and regional Addy awards, and is the author of six books including Alabama – Simply Beautiful, Alabama Canyons – The Bankhead National Forest, and Alabama Outdoors.
Charles has continued his support of Wild South by generously donating copies of his book, Alabama Outdoors. To purchase a copy of this rare, collectible publication, please visit our store.
All proceeds from the sale of Alabama Outdoors will go to benefit Wild South’s Alabama Outreach & Education (ALOE) Program, which inspires individuals to love and protect Alabama’s public lands through education and experience.
Join us on August 11th at the Wild South Moulton office for an intimate book-signing event and artist talk with Charles. Click here to learn more!
Janice Barrett
Alabama Outreach & Education Coordinator