TITLE: Phantom

Some encounters don't announce themselves. One moment there was nothing. The next, there was him — a massive form materializing from the swirling sand and wind as if the beach itself had conjured him.
He stopped. That glance — unhurried, ancient, measuring — lasted only a second. But in that second everything else disappeared. There was only him, deciding whether I was worth his attention.
He decided I wasn't. And just like that, he dissolved back into the haze that had delivered him. Gone as quietly as he came.
Phantom.

AUTHOR: Janet Gustin (United States)

Janet Gustin seeks the moments when wild creatures reveal their true selves — those fleeting instances when an animal's spirit becomes visible and the distance between human and wild dissolves. Her photography builds a bridge of connection, inviting viewers to feel their own heartbeat align with the rhythm of the natural world.
What began with a quest to witness humpback whales has evolved into a deeper journey — one that has led her to the coastal brown bears of Alaska and the wild mustangs that embody untamed freedom. Each venture into nature becomes an opportunity to witness profound stories unfolding in wild places, stories that carry lessons about love, redemption, resilience, and grace.
Janet finds particular joy in capturing the personality that shines through in unexpected moments: the fierce protection of a mother bear who has learned what truly matters, the quiet wisdom in an elder's gaze, the playful spirit that reminds us not to take life too seriously. Every creature has its own story, its own unique place in the greater narrative of creation.
Her photography has become her passport to wonder — leading her to remote Alaskan coastlines, windswept plains where mustangs run free, and ocean waters where whales speak in songs we're only beginning to understand. Places she once knew only through others' images have become real landscapes beneath her feet, each teaching her something new about both the wild and herself.
"I'm not just capturing images," Janet explains. "I'm collecting moments when wildlife becomes teacher — showing us lessons about trust, courage, joy, and love refined by loss. When someone connects with one of my photographs, when they feel that skip of recognition, they're experiencing something profound. That's the moment two heartbeats align."
Through her photography and writing, Janet shares the deeper stories behind the images — the sacred moments when observation becomes revelation. Each image is an invitation to pause, observe, and recognize that we share this remarkable world with other sentient beings, each worthy of attention and respect.
She seeks to reveal the wonder and wisdom present in every corner of creation, reminding us that extraordinary moments of connection are waiting for those willing to look closely and listen deeply.