For Hub City Times

SPENCER — Using her 126 Instamatic camera, Barb Lassa was the family photographer through high school. Upon graduation she attended UW-Milwaukee, leaving after two years for a full-time job. While she was working, she enrolled in an evening photography class. She was hooked as she watched her first black and white print appear in the chemicals.

She would then receive her associate degree in photography from Milwaukee Area Technical College. She graduated on a Friday, got married that Saturday, and left Milwaukee for Wisconsin Rapids on Sunday. Those early days were a jumpstart to an interest and passion for photography that has spanned close to 40 years.

Lassa’s photography adventures began with film and a dark room and have become a love for the digital world.

Through the lens, Lassa captures iconic farm life and other scenery throughout central Wisconsin. The artwork of Lassa will be on display during the month of February in the LuCille Tack Center for the Arts gallery. An open house will be held Feb. 3 from 5-7 p.m.

Lassa has not had to go far to capture the subjects of her images. Her camera is always by her side as she traverses through central Wisconsin. According to Lassa, “You don’t have to travel far to find beautiful photographs. You can find wonderful images wherever you are.”

For her that even means stepping out of the house and gazing over the farm she owns with her husband, Mike. As a matter of fact, Mike, a.k.a. Santa, and their border collie, Tess, are the subjects of a series of photographs Lassa has created since 2010.

Lassa’s goal is to start with as perfect an image as possible and then use Photoshop to tweak the color and density. The subjects she photographs are what she wants her viewers to see. Her hope, as people gaze upon her photographs, is that they see all the wonderful moments she has captured in and around central Wisconsin.

Lassa’s photographs can be viewed during the open house, during performances, or by appointment by calling the LuCille Tack Center for the Arts box office at 715-650-4499. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.