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Ann Arbor Miller

Photos: Celebrating Minnesota's natural wonders

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A neighbor's shed
Bright colors and outdoor spaces are common features in Tyler Anderson's photographs. "I love being able to walk out to my back yard and have all these beauties in full bloom," he wrote in the caption for this July 2015 photograph. "Cameo appearance from #myneighborsshed."
Courtesy of Tyler Anderson

"Get lost. Find yourself."

That's Tyler Anderson's personal philosophy — he thinks he first saw it on a car's rear bumper — and it comes to life in the way he explores and photographs Minnesota.

The 37-year-old father of two and professional barista is enamored with the state's great outdoors. He delights in discovering and photographing Minnesota's vistas, skies and streams. Anderson shares his iPhone photographs — and quotes from naturalist John Muir — online via Instagram at @tyler_mn.

Anderson embraced the photo-sharing app soon after its 2010 launch. "It's the perfect medium," he said. "It's this cross between an awesome social network where you can connect with people from around the world, but also showcase your artist talents."

While Anderson said he has "never been what you would call an artist person," his creative side is finding its voice.

That evolution may have been fueled by a change of scenery. Just a year ago, Anderson, wife Amanda and kids Nolan, 13, and Ellie, 10, traded the busyness of St. Louis Park for the calm of Lanesboro, Minn., population 750. The Andersons now live in Belle Rive, a former bed and breakfast located on the banks of the Root River.

"We were looking for a quieter life," Tyler Anderson said. "The opportunity to explore the outdoors is instantly at my fingertips."

Editor's note: This feature is the second in an occasional series showcasing Minnesota photographers.

Gallery
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Foggy back road
"If you would have asked me five years ago if I could see myself living in small town Minnesota -- in the heart of rural Minnesota -- I would have said you are crazy," said Anderson, who now proudly calls Lanesboro home.
Courtesy of Tyler Anderson
1 of 16
A neighbor's shed
Bright colors and outdoor spaces are common features in Tyler Anderson's photographs. "I love being able to walk out to my back yard and have all these beauties in full bloom," he wrote in the caption for this July 2015 photograph. "Cameo appearance from #myneighborsshed."
Courtesy of Tyler Anderson
2 of 16
A fan of the VSCO app
All of Anderson's photographs shared on Instagram are created with an iPhone, now an iPhone 6. "I'm a big fan of the VSCO app," he said.
Courtesy of Tyler Anderson