Snakes have been demonized and vilified for eternity, something that Ishismatsu would like to see change.
“Snakes are an important part of our ecosystem, and yet they are often overlooked except for the dedicated few of us who love to photograph them,” she says.
“Snake photographers feel that it is our duty to show the beauty of these animals — to foster a sense of curiosity and respect and not fear — to ensure these animals are protected.”
Ishimatsu says that her social media feeds are filled with wonderful photos of birds, flowers, and mammals — but not snakes. “It’s not hard to make these subjects beautiful and welcoming,” she adds.