Artist Profile

 Doreen “Coop” Elzinga – COOP-ELZ BACKYARD PHOTOGRAPHY                          December 2025

I cannot paint or draw, so I create photography art.

I remember, as a child, my father’s early polaroid photos and the smell of the fixer he rolled on his photos.  I was intrigued by his cameras at an early age but never thought cameras and photography would become part of my life.

My mother had many flower beds.  Weeding those beds was not my favorite activity. What I enjoyed was picking her flowers (mostly peonies, lilacs, and hydrangeas) and the wild roses across from the driveway.  My mother and I made wonderful, large bouquets.  I considered it an art.  I never thought flowers and gardening would become part of my life.

I grew up in the Finger Lakes area of New York with a large family.  Seven siblings, with my mom and dad.  Grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews lived nearby.

My husband and I served in the US Air Force many years ago, stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska and Oscoda, Michigan. 

My family made our home in Traverse City in 1997.  Like my mother, I have many flower beds.  I take numerous pictures of my flowers while in bloom.  I love the simple beauty and colors.  The post season for milkweed, butterfly weed, and some flowers is also beautiful.

I retired in 2022 after working in a local manufacturing company for just under 39 years.  I am blessed to be a mother to three daughters, a grandmother to four boys, a great grandmother to three girls, and one boy.  I am also a grandma to a well-behaved, sweet, cattle dog.

Color photos are beautiful, but black and white photography is my favorite. Black and white photography is so elegant and timeless. 

Besides flowers, I also enjoy photographing old barns and old houses, waterfalls, waterscapes, wildlife, sunsets and sunrises.

I also enjoy gardening, researching my ancestry, family gatherings, and reading.

I once read that great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field. This couldn’t be more true.  I want to share my art with others for that very reason.  The chance that you will see my art, and have it touch your heart, or make you smile, or create an emotion, is extremely rewarding.

If you are affiliated with a non-profit organization that is looking for artwork for a silent auction, or if you know of a benefit silent auction, please email me (address below).  I will consider donating up to 3 silent auctions a year.

If you don't see what you are looking for, please reach out to me.  I have many prints-only available.

Some of my artwork can be found on Instagram: ce.backyardphotography

I can be reached through Instagram and at dgce.photography@gmail.com