Terry Spence, born in Paducah, Ky., in 1963, but raised in Oak Ridge, Tenn., after his family relocated in 1965, has served Rutherford County for 21 years as a Murfreesboro Police officer and always enjoys interacting with people in the community.
Spence’s interest in photography stemmed from his assignments to take pictures of incidents related to his police duties.
Major Clyde Adkinson of the MPD played the role of teacher for Spence when it came to the basics of photography.
“He taught me about composition, lighting and paying attention to detail,” Spence said. His attention to detail also contributed to his observing wildlife and nature during his hunting days. Spence applied his knowledge of animals and scenery to photography and began “shooting” animals with a different weapon: his Canon digital camera. In addition to animals, Spence photographs some of the most beautiful places Tennessee has to offer. He continually visits the Great Smoky Mountains to photograph the trails and waterfalls. Lush fields, blooming flowers, old barns and multi-colored sunsets are only some of the images he takes pleasure in capturing.
I met Terry Spence about a year and a half ago at the Hobby Lobby framing department where I work. He wanted to have some of his photos framed to display at Starbucks in the “Culture Corner.”
I was immediately stunned by the clarity of his close-up, brightly colored images and his vivacious personality. Ever since then, he has come in to have his work framed, including a large portion of the 145 pieces currently displayed inside Murfreesboro City Hall.
In addition to the wildlife subjects of Spence’s work, he displayed a massive series of photographs of civil servants doing their jobs. Some are slightly graphic (such as one image of a car accident), but a number of pieces exhibit a humorous side to these dangerous professions.
Spence personally welcomed close to 300 people (ranging in age from 5 months to 93 years) on the opening night of his month-long show at City Hall. The exhibit went up on Jan. 8 and will continue through Feb. 9. If you missed this showing of Spence’s work, in the near future you will be able to find some of his scenic Murfreesboro prints displayed at Hobby Lobby with a variety of custom frames and matting available for special order.
Spence is an imaginative, down-to-earth man who loves to experience life. He hopes to continue doing shows and he feels this is just the beginning for his photography career. Encouragement from strangers is his motivation; he feels this venture is not about him, but about the viewer.
“I hope that everybody who sees my pictures will take the time to notice the little things and realize that you don’t have to travel far for true beauty?it is right here!” says Spence.
For more information on Spence’s photography, contact him at spencephotos@comcast.net.
