New Ipswich photographer Lauren Somero traveled to Washington, D.C., last week for the opening of a new exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History featuring one of her portraits.
The portrait, part of the new “Bison: Standing Strong” exhibit, depicts Somero’s longtime friend and former New Ipswich resident Liz Riffle on her bison ranch in West Virginia.
“Obviously, as a portrait photographer and someone who has been in the industry a long time, you have an idea of how cool it would be to see your work featured in something like this,” Somero said. “I may never have an opportunity like this again, so I was just trying to be present and enjoy it with friends and family who were able to attend.”
Somero said exhibit contributors were invited to attend a reception before the exhibit opened. Attendees included artists, biologists, ranchers, researchers and members of the Blackfeet Tribe.
She described seeing her work displayed in the completed exhibit as “surreal.”
In addition to attending Thursday’s opening, Somero said she and the family members and friends who traveled with her also visited the National Portrait Gallery, Ford’s Theatre and the National Mall, and celebrated with dinner at the historic Monocle restaurant.