The Franklin Parker Preserve
About 20-some years ago, I slammed on the brakes of my car, bringing it to a screeching halt. It wasn’t a traffic incident, but a sign on the side of the road that caused me to stop so suddenly. That sign read “The Franklin Parker Preserve.” It was just outside of what was a cranberry farm. The sudden change from signs reading “No Trespassing” to a more “Welcome, come on in” feel had to be investigated. The result has been a place of refuge, exploration, and inspiration for many years since.
In 2003, New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) and the farm’s owners, who didn’t want to see this land lost to development, worked out a deal to turn the farm into the Franklin Parker Preserve, the largest preserve in the NJCF’s inventory of preserved natural lands. It is a place I have explored and photographed on its marked and unmarked trails for many years. It is one of the most beautiful places, right in the middle of the beautiful New Jersey Pine Barrens.
I have also partnered with the NJCF to lead photography workshops on this property. It’s been a successful fundraiser for them, and I get to share this amazing place with local photographers and others from all over the country.
Here is a selection of images I have made so far this year in the Franklin Parker Preserve.
Winter in the Franklin Parker Preserve
New Years Day 2026 by Richard Lewis
In The Light And Shadows by Richard Lewis 2026
A Festival Of Winter Light by Richard Lewis 2025
Wind On A Frozen Bog by Richard Lewis 2026
Snowy Bog by Richard Lewis 2026
Lone Pine In Winter by Richard Lewis 2026
Stormy Minimalism by Richard Lewis 2026
Spring in the Franklin Parker Preserve
Sunrise Over Little Cedar Island by Richard Lewis 2026
Misty Wading River by Richard Lewis 2026
Ghostly Morning by Richard Lewis 2026
Birch Trees On The Pole Branch by Richard Lewis 2026
Backlit Spring Colors by Richard Lewis 2026
Dappled Highlights by Richard Lewis 2026
Winter and Spring in the Same Place
Part of the joy of photographing the local landscape is getting to see it at different times of the year and in different light. Hidden in the Franklin Parker Preserve is a grove of Birch Trees. This scene with a lone pine tree among the birches was photographed in January and April. The winter scene was photographed just after sunrise and the spring scene photographed late in the afternoon. It is interesting to see how different this place looks only a few months apart and at a different time of day.
News Years Day In the Birches by Richard Lewis 2026
Birches Blooming by Richard Lewis 2026
I’ve been asked more than once to publish a coffee table book of my Pine Barrens photography. That has already been done by one of my inspirations and mentors, Albert Horner. Maybe the coffee table book I write will focus on the Franklin Parker Preserve and be a deep dive into this very special place.
Enjoy!
See more of my work in the Franklin Parker Preserve and the Pine Barrens here.
Great photos Richard. You really bring out the opulent photographic opportunity of the Franklin Parker Preserve ! Thanks for sharing your work.
Wonderful photographs Rich ! I really enjoy the photo workshops in Franklin Parker Preserve!
Very nice Rich, I loved that place from the first time I went there.