Welcome to Tom Zetterstrom.com
Tom Zetterstrom's Portraits of Trees represents the diversity and beauty of America's forest resources. In his 30 year quest across the breadth of the United States, Zetterstrom has gathered images of innumerable species from a wide-range of topographies and ecosystems. Zetterstrom places himself in the midst of the natural forest, the trees original context where the eternal and silent business of photosynthesis takes place. His singular dedication to tress imbues this endeavor with a unified artistic vision, sharpened by his very personal commitment to issues of local and global sustainability. (View a selection of trees on the Portfolio page.)
Tom Zetterstrom's photographic career spans forty years. After graduating from Colorado College and attending Pratt Institute, Zetterstrom taught photography in Washington, DC in the late 60's.
His work as a free-lance photojournalist in the 70's and 80's ranged from the New York Times Magazine and Op-Ed pages to the Day in the Life of America.
Zetterstrom's documentary and fine arts portfolios include, White Russia, 1973 (in the Library of Congress archive), and Faces of China, 1981 (sponsored and toured by the Yale-China Association) and the Moving Point of View, 1973-1991. His photographs are in the permanent collections of 37 American Museums.
Tom Zetterstrom continues to add new images to his Portraits of Trees. He is also a recognized lecturer and advocate for the preservation and reintroduction of the American elm.
In 1999 Zetterstrom founded Elm Watch, a regional community forestry organization.