Photographer Jan Kepley had never produced something so big before the owners of Nourish Dave and Tanya Rose requested a 6-by-6-foot version of one of his images.

The Roses planned to use the image as a mural in the developing lounge area of their local, garden-to-plate, organic restaurant. Although Nourish opened in July 2013, the Roses just recently applied for their full liquor license to serve locally distilled spirits in addition to the variety of wine, beer and cider they already serve.

In creating the lounge the Roses “wanted to give some depth and a point of interest to the room,” Dave said. “We’re all about local so we also wanted something relative to the area.”

By collaborating with their good friends Jan and his wife Kay, the Roses chose one of Jan’s photographs. The image is of the Sol Duc Falls Trail — a widely sought and recognized trail that meanders through old-growth forest before leading to waterfalls within Olympic National Park.

“There is something very special about the image and the way Jan captured the light coming through the trees,” Dave said.

As the sunlight twist and turns throughout the day, the image catches the sunrays and seems to come to life, explained the Roses.

“It’s phenomenal the way it works,” Dave said.

Already the image has spurred connections, including the link between two men that had worked to maintain the trail in years past.

“The picture has evolved into more than we thought by inspiring community connections,” Tanya said.

Like their menu, Tanya would eventually like to change the mural to reflect the seasons. However, because the Sol Duc Falls Trail is deep within the evergreen forest, it fits year-round, she said.

About the photographer

Despite his education in classical music, Jan has spent much of his life behind a camera.

“I fell into photography upside-down and backwards,” he said.

An interest in painting post college led Jan to photography — specifically nature photography. Jan first began to explore the world through a camera lens from his own backyard, perfecting “up close, soft focus floral” photography, he said.

“Its always seemed to fit with him” Kay said, reflecting on her husband’s passion for ‘fine art macro photography.’

“There’s no recipe for anything that he does,” she said.

Kay has and continues to play an important role in Jan’s photography career by assisting him and doing much of the business development.

“This wouldn’t happen without her,” Jan said.

There’s no one style to Jan’s work, but it often combines multiple forms of photography. Although drawn to nature, story telling through imagery and creative layering of images, Jan’s career led to everything from teaching to commercial and wedding photography.

Since last June and Jan’s retirement, however, he’s been getting back to the roots of his passion.

“Right now I’m doing more standard nature photography,” he said.

Jan’s work continues, but though gallery shows, a greeting card line “Resonance Cards” started by Kay and collaborative opportunities, like at Nourish.

“Dave and Tanya have such a neat thing going,” Kay said. “We’re just really happy to be a part of it.”

For more information about Jan, visit www.resonancecards.com.

Some of Jan’s work also will be on display April-May at Pacific Pantry in Sequim.