Collection: Erin Vande Zande

Erin Vande Zande

Erin Vande Zande is a Texas Photographic Artist hailing originally from Wisconsin. She began her 20-year career as a wedding and commercial photographer and continued photographing clients following the birth of her first two kids. However, after accepting a foster placement of 3 siblings and becoming mom to five kids under age 5, she paused taking clients to focus on the needs of her kids. An invitation to do a solo-exhibit changed all this, brought a creative practice back to her life and sparked the work you see now. Her art is primarily photojournalistic in nature with a touch of surrealism. She studied photography at VCU and University of Minnesota and has exhibited in Milwaukee, WI, Englewood, FL and Grapevine, Texas.



As a very busy mom, Erin found her photo walks would become a meditation, a daily practice of noticing what often gets forgotten. This reflects her core belief that there is always more to life, to places and people than meets the eye.

Erin chose to do street style photography because it keeps her committed to creating with a community as opposed to removed from it. Most of her photos are taken all within a one mile radius, speaking to her desire to find adventures even as she raises her kids in a small Texas town.

Erin hopes people leave her photographs remembering life is beautifully layered. That we can find light in the darkness. We can find purpose in pain. There is legacy in our losses.

Curriculum Vitae

View Curriculum Vitae

Education

2005-2009 PhD (ABD) Educational Leadership, Cardinal Stritch University,
Milwaukee, WI (Dissertation focus on resiliency using “Photovoice,” a
qualitative research method where participants document lived
experiences through photography and storytelling).

2003 M.Ed, Special Education, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI
(Masters Thesis Stress and Art in Children with Special Needs)
2001 BA, Child Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
(Studied Photography under James Vernon Henkel, MFA)

2000 Studied photography under Marni Rothschild, MFA as part of domestic
student exchange program at Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA

Exhibitions

2026 Group Exhibition: The Female Gaze, RTown Gallery, Grapevine, TX (catalog)
2005 Group Exhibition: Unwrapped Creativity, RTown Gallery, Grapevine, TX
2025 Group Exhibition: Monochrome, RTown Gallery, Grapevine, TX
2025 Solo Exhibition: Windows of Time, The Lancaster Arts Center, Grapevine, Texas
2024 Solo Exhibition: Observations of a Timeless Town, The Lancaster Arts Center, Grapevine, Texas
2009 Solo Exhibition: Touching Ireland, The Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, Milwaukee, WI
2008 Solo Exhibition: Women of Strength Marquette, University Milwaukee, WI

Awards and Grants:

2007 Milwaukee’s A-List, Best Wedding Photographer, 2nd Place, Milwaukee, WI
2001-2003 AmeriCorps Grant, Teach for America, Milwaukee, WI