FRECKLES, FRIENDSHIP, AND PHOTOGRAPHY

A VISIT WITH LOUISA PRESTON

By Terry Haycock

With this series of member profiles, we hope to enhance our knowledge of each other on personal as well as professional levels

Kathie (remember her from the June story on Marge Swayne?) and I were off on another VPC adventure, this time to Manakin/Sabot to meet Louisa Preston.

We turned off the highway onto a narrow country road flanked on either side by massive trees adorned with leafy canopies.  It was reminiscent of the road to Tara (where we met Marge) except that this one twisted and turned as we went, eventually ending at Louisa’s driveway. This verdant setting was peaceful and welcoming as were Louisa and her friendly rescue dog Freckles.    

Half of her home, located on the family’s massive Ben Dover Farm, was built in the 1700s; the other half, a modern addition, completes a delightful merging. 

I sat on a high stool at the granite kitchen counter; looking across the room, I could see out the back door to lawn and pond where hummingbirds and butterflies danced in attendance. On the other side, was a bay window overlooking a lovely front lawn. The effect was one of light, joy and hospitality — just like Louisa.        

The three of us shared our stories. Freckles watched Louisa intently while she created our lunch. As we munched, I couldn’t help marveling that after a recent hip replacement, she lithely maneuvered the kitchen without any assistance. Asked how she could get around so well, she said,” Well, I usually walk up to six miles a day, so that might have something to do with it.”

Reared west of Richmond on the aforementioned family farm, Louisa left Virginia for junior college in Washington, D.C., going on to the University of Wisconsin, Madison to earn a degree in botany. 

After graduation, she joined the Peace Corps, living in and around a very primitive Lima, Peru (no electricity, plumbing, or running water). Due to safety issues, she moved to a nearby Leper Colony, continuing work on plant pathology for a local agricultural institution. After four years, she returned to the States after a detour to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A friend studying at Harvard offered her housing in Cambridge, where Louisa was able to audit classes at the University. Later she moved to San Francisco where she lived for 30 years.

While in California, Louisa lived in a group house and was a member of the Women’s Karate Collective where she taught self-defense classes. She enjoyed the weather, the fruits and vegetables, flowers, and informal life style. An enthusiastic horsewoman, she exercised horses as well. After earning her scuba diving license, she photographed and wrote articles for scuba diving magazines and commercial clients. For five years she was a photographer for the Microsurgical Foundation at a San Francisco hospital. She also did freelance photography throughout the state. Active in the prestigious American Society of Media Photographers for many years, she has been awarded life membership.

Returning to Virginia to care for her ill mother, Louisa worked for the online newspaperExaminer.com with freedom to write/photograph what interested her. She covered events, museums and art galleries in Richmond, D.C., and occasionally New York City. Press previews and various other events also comprised her agenda. She used her photographic skills for clients such as AAA Magazine and Tidaintin & Health South and currently volunteers as photographer for Goochland Cares. Crediting Martha Steger for introducing her to VPC, Louisa currently serves as treasurer.

As our time with Louisa came to an end, we said a reluctant goodbye to this remarkably talented woman, accepting her invitation to return soon. 

You can see some of her photographs and read her blog at www.louisapreston.com. Better yet, introduce yourself to her at the next VPC meeting. She’s great company and fun to know.