I came to St. George Island 18 years ago to reclaim my love of
photography.
I have come to love the people around Apalachicola Bay, the
oystermen, fishermen, shrimpers and the ones who are just
surviving. They have all become my friends.
Apalachicola Bay has always clung to the old ways of tonging
oysters by hand from the bay. It has always been a rough way of
life, but they love it. Oysters have fluctuated from an average of 20
bags a day in 2010 to about 2 bags a day in 2017.. The Bay closed
in 2018 due to a lack of harvestable oysters. I hope these friends
continue on even if in another area. They will survive.
These photographs are a collection spanning 12 years of my
own exploration of the people and the way they live. I have been
on the water with them, in their homes and just hanging at the
beach. There are many who are no longer with us and some who
may pass soon. I have a really strong kinship for them and hope
their lifestyle goes on forever.
Top left: Portrait of Mike Nalley © Patrick Henrickson
High Captain Doug © Mike Nalley
Mitchel at Home © Mike Nalley
Opening Day © Mike Nalley
Buster and Captain Doug © Mike Nalley
Captain Night Prowler © Mike Nalley
Oystermen Wife © Mike Nalley
Tonging for Oysters© Mike Nalley
Mike Nalley
Mike has been photographing since 1974 where it all started as a hobby. He studied
photography at the Art Institute of Atlanta where he has an Associate Degree in
Photography. He owned and operated a studio in Marietta, GA until 1985 when life got
the best of his photography work.
Mike became active again in the art world in 2006 when the urge to photograph grabbed
him once again. He has worked prolifically in digital ever since. He spent 12 years
documenting the oyster and fishing culture in the Apalachicola Bay area of Florida. Over
the years he has made some wonderful friends and made some great photographs of the
oystermen and women, fishermen and seafood workers in the area.
Mike has won many awards over the years. He has exhibited all over the Southeast and
can be found most days rambling with his camera in hand in search of that one more
subject.
Documenting the human race, one subject at a time!
www.oldmanscamera.com
@mikenalleyphoto
Fishing the River © Mike Nalley
Getting Aboard © Mike Nalley
Hoyt Sorting Oysters © Mike Nalley
Oysterman's Wife © Mike Nalley
Ricky Donna and Dixie © Mike Nalley
The Oldest Oysterman © Mike Nalley
Future Oysterman © Mike Nalley
Mike Cain with Puppies © Mike Nalley