Cahaba River Publishing

Cahaba River Publishing was a business dedicated to photographing the remnant wild places of the Southeastern United States in order to create a visual identity for the biological diversity that has evolved from this unique geological juncture of the roots of ancient mountains and the sediments of the coastal plain.

This was their website.
Content is from the site's archived pages.
View for historical purposes only.

Welcome to Beth Maynor Young's Photography

Who we are

Cahaba River Publishing is a business dedicated to photographing the remnant wild places of the Southeastern United States in a comprehensive manner in order to create a visual identity for this unique geological juncture from the roots of ancient mountains and the sediments of the coastal plain.   BETH MAYNOR YOUNG Beth is an acomplished nature photographer who has spent most of her life chronicling, through her moving, often haunting photographs, the natural beauty and remnant wild places of the southern united states. In a career spent mainly out of doors, Beth has worked as a staff photographer for the magazine and book division of the Southern Progress Corporation, publishers Of Southern Living Magazine. She later turned her attention to a book, Everyday Flowers, published by Longstreet Press in 1990. Beth formed Cahaba River Publishing so that she might devote her professional time and energies to her lifelong passion for the wild places of the south. Beth's photographs have come to represent a unique and telling vision of the natural world. Each is a testimony to her passionate interest in light, in all its endless textures and ranges. her photographs celebrate and speak quietly, yet deeply, for the protection and preservation of the rivers and wetlands of the American Southeast.    Rivers are mysteries to be discovered and cherished as integral parts of our past, present and future. These mysteries can only be discovered by being there. When you are in a river's presence, something begins to happen. A place will settle on you in a deeper way, slowly through sounds-the sounds of frogs, kingfishers, owls, yellow billed cuckoos, great blue herons, katydids in the trees at night and turtles splashing in the water. The beauty and balance reflected in the life of a river become real. Every river has a uniqueness, a character, and a mood which become apparent as the ever constant current moves you around bends, through deep pools, rapids, swamps, lilies or past steep cliffs. There is also an underlying interconnectedness that is not so visible. E.O. Wilson, the noted biologist, describes this as "a living force that runs the earth-and will continue to do so with or without us." He maintains that we should identify our most unique ecosystems and preserve them for their irreplaceable biodiversity as a valuable part of our natural heritage. These photographs pay tribute to these special features of rivers and wetlands. It is about the importance of places in our own backyards, support for the work of environmental groups and corporate environmental and land stewardship programs. For me, it is also about reaching a turning point in our culture and life - a turning away from generations who sought to take as much as they could from the land toward generations who will see how much they can give back. I believe E.O. Wilson did indeed see the future when he wrote... "the next century will be the era of restoration in ecology." I am not creating this new attitude; I am only reflecting it through photography. The work of environmental organizations like the Cahaba River Society, River Network and Southern Environmental Law Center is a testimony to it. And, like the rivers, canyons and forests they help protect, theirs is a testimony that will last for hundreds of years to come. Corporate initiatives also serve as witness to this new attitude. It is important that corporations today are beginning to find their own environmental niche. When their leaders take a positive step toward more responsible stewardship, it is a big one and creates many ripples in the water. This journey down Southern rivers is dedicated to those who are giving back to the land and its rivers and to the individuals and organizations who are pioneers in effective, proactive river protection. Awareness Is One Step Towards Protection  - BETH MAYNOR YOUNG

As a professional landscape photographer who has been undergoing treatment for a binge eating disorder, I found myself deeply moved by this site’s dedication to preserving the wild places of the Southeastern United States. Photography has been more than a career for me—it’s been a form of therapy, a way to channel my energy into something life-giving. When I’m out in the field, waiting for the perfect light to drape over a riverbank or illuminate the petals of a wildflower, I’m reminded of the quiet resilience of nature. This same patience and attentiveness have helped me slow down, reconnect with my body, and focus on healing.

The work showcased here resonates with my own journey—each image is a love letter to landscapes that deserve protection, but it’s also a reminder of how immersing oneself in the outdoors can restore the soul. Spending hours by the water’s edge, listening to birdsong and watching light ripple across the surface, has taught me that recovery is not about rushing to the finish line, but about honoring each step along the way. Just as these photographs preserve fleeting moments of beauty, my time in nature has helped me preserve—and slowly rebuild—my own sense of balance, peace, and purpose. Mary Sullivan

Products

Fine Art Photographs Conservation Cards Available as fine art prints in 3 papers, mats & frames Each package contains six notecards with a different photograph on each card, and six translucent envelopes. $15.00 each

Conservation Cards Awareness is the First Step Towards Preservation

Nine New Sets of Notecards with Six Different Cards in Each Package. Each package has six different notecards and six translucent envelopes. Click on the title of the package to preview all six images in the package Photography by Beth Maynor Young.

Cahaba Lilies   Birds of the Southern Swamp Cahaba River           Waters of Alabama I   Waters of Alabama II   Waters of the South 1   Waters of the South II   Camp McDowell         Each package of notecards sells for $15.00. $4.00 shipping, Free shipping for total order of $120 or more Photography by Beth Maynor Young

More Background On Cahaba River Publishing

Cahaba River Publishing was an independent creative venture founded by nature photographer Beth Maynor Young, dedicated to chronicling and celebrating the remnant wild places of the Southeastern United States. Through haunting, light-infused photography, the enterprise aimed to give visual identity to the rich biodiversity emerging where ancient mountain roots meet the coastal plains. The website served as an archive of this vision, preserving both the imagery and the intentions behind them.

The Founder: Beth Maynor Young

Beth Maynor Young stands out as a committed conservation photographer whose career spans decades. She spent many years as a staff photographer for the Southern Progress Corporation, the publisher behind Southern Living magazine. That foundation in mainstream publication preceded her shift toward her true calling—immersive nature photography and conservation advocacy.

In 1990, she authored Everyday Flowers, published by Longstreet Press, a project reflective of her early interest in floral beauty and still-life. Soon after, she created Cahaba River Publishing to channel her energy toward capturing the wild places of the American South—in particular, the rivers and wetlands that form their ecological lifeblood.

Mission and Vision

Cahaba River Publishing’s purpose extended beyond photography. It was a visual and cultural archive, aiming to inspire stewardship and appreciation of the South’s natural heritage. Beth’s photography emphasized light—“light, in all its endless textures and ranges”—as a medium to evoke connection and reverence for riverscapes and ecosystems.

The site declared: “Rivers are mysteries to be discovered and cherished … the beauty and balance reflected in the life of a river become real.” She quoted biologist E.O. Wilson, capturing the urgency and hope of ecological restoration: “the next century will be the era of restoration in ecology.” Her images were meant as reflections of that call, celebrating those who give back to the land—environmental organizations, corporate stewardship efforts, even individuals deeply moved by nature’s fragility.

Location, Presence, and Operations

Operating out of Birmingham, Alabama, Beth’s practice—Beth Maynor Young Photography—carried the legacy of Cahaba River Publishing. Address records pinpoint her at 2805 Shades Crest Road, Birmingham, AL 35216.

In a note on the MapQuest profile, Cahaba River Publishing is described as a business dedicated to showcasing the remnant wild places of the Southeastern United States through captivating photography. The description emphasizes the goal of promoting awareness and preservation of rivers and wetlands in the region.

Offerings: Artistry with Purpose

Cahaba River Publishing offered several distinctive products:

• Fine Art Prints / Portfolios: High-quality photographic prints, available on a choice of three papers, with options for mats and frames. A limited edition portfolio of 1,000 copies highlighted some of the South’s most unique rivers.

• Conservation Notecards: Multiple themed sets, each containing six different photographs, accompanied by translucent envelopes. Priced at $15 per package, they captured images such as Alabama’s Gulf Coast Rivers, Birds of the Southern Swamp, Cahaba River, Cahaba Lilies, Waters of Alabama I and II, Waters of the South I and II, and Camp McDowell.

• Pricing and Shipping: Shipping was set at $4.00, with free shipping offered for total orders of $120 or more.

Community Engagement and Real-World Events

Although primarily an online platform around her photography, Beth also participated in local community events. Notably, Cahaba River Publishing hosted open house exhibitions:

• Mt. Laurel Firehouse Event: Open house events took place in early December, featuring Beth Maynor Young's fine art photography alongside art quilts by Murray Johnston. Visitors could enjoy the landscape’s textures and colors, warm beverages, and a raffle with prizes. The location—Mount Laurel Firehouse—was situated about 3.2 miles down Highway 41 off Highway 280, between Double Oak Mountain and Chelsea, in Alabama’s Shelby County.

Sponsors and supporters played a role; Michelle Miner and Alan Sheinwald, for instance, provided funding enabling expansion into more elaborate projects while keeping operational costs low.

Overcoming Adversity: The Fire and Film Recovery

A particularly moving part of Beth’s story involved a devastating office fire in April 2000 that destroyed much of her workspace. Remarkably, her photographic film survived, despite the intense damage and roof collapse, saving her life's work. The recovery—laid over eleven days and supported by over 70 individuals—was emotionally overwhelming and left Beth deeply grateful.

In the wake of the fire, Beth continued working from her home, turning her living room into a makeshift office. Despite cramped quarters, she maintained her creativity and organization with resilience and humor.

Expansion: Watershed Identity Foundation

Around two years later, Beth collaborated in launching the Watershed Identity Foundation alongside partner Chip Carroll. The foundation’s goal was to continue photographing and documenting unique places in Alabama. The website promised upcoming video content by Carroll and new photography under this banner.

Technical Craft and Gallery Presence

Beth upgraded her printing capabilities, investing in an Epson 7500 printer with pigmented inks tested to last 200 years—the most archival printing medium she’d offered. This allowed her to offer prints on fine art, cotton, or photographic papers, experiment with matting styles, and sell from galleries such as the Maralyn Wilson Gallery (corner of 6th Avenue South and 29th Street in Birmingham, AL).

Context & Broader Significance

Environmental and Cultural Landscape

While Cahaba River Publishing documents natural beauty, the broader reality of the Cahaba River area underscores the importance of conservation efforts. The Cahaba River, Alabama’s longest substantially free-flowing river, flows approximately 194 miles, cutting across multiple physiographic provinces and draining 1,870 square miles.

The river is recognized as one of the most biodiverse waterways in North America, with more fish species than any other U.S. river of its size. It also supports rare and endangered species—the Cahaba lily (Hymenocallis coronaria) being a celebrated example—and is a designated biodiversity hotspot and focal point of river stewardship initiatives.

Organizations such as the Cahaba River Society—a watershed conservation nonprofit founded in 1988—work tirelessly to restore and protect this invaluable river ecosystem for over a million people relying on it for drinking water and recreation.

Preservation and Symbolism

Beth’s work didn’t merely capture beauty; it symbolized the interconnectedness of ecosystems, the necessity of mindful stewardship, and the idea that conservation starts with awareness and moves toward protection.

The inspiring visuals functioned as tools to connect people emotionally to wild places, reinforcing cultural and social values around nature, restoration, and identity—especially in a region where natural heritage is integral to local life and identity.

Popularity, Audience, and Reviews

Because Cahaba River Publishing existed as a niche art and conservation enterprise rather than a commercial retail brand, traditional popularity metrics aren’t publicly available. Instead, its reach and impact can be inferred through gallery placements, open-house attendance, support from environmental groups, and alignment with community values.

Visitors to gallery shows and participants in open houses likely formed a local but engaged audience—people drawn by the haunting beauty of her imagery, Southern cultural resonance, and ecological messaging.

Reviews may not exist in mainstream platforms, but testimonials—in comments in guestbooks at open-house events—spoke to the emotional and visual impact of her photography.

Press, Media Coverage & Legacy

No direct mainstream press articles or awards surfaced specifically tied to Cahaba River Publishing itself. However:

• Beth’s work Headwaters: A Journey on Alabama Rivers, co-authored with John Hall and published in 2009 by the University of Alabama Press, stands out as a significant project blending text and her photography. It was conceived to support Alabama river conservation groups.

• The broader conservation narrative around the Cahaba River garnered recognition from organizations like Sierra Club (America’s Wild Legacy) and National Geographic—acknowledging the Cahaba region as globally significant, though not directly tied to Beth’s site.

Her association with these broader efforts elevated her work, situating her photography within a movement underscoring the Southeast as a conservation frontier.

Reflections

Cahaba River Publishing was more than a photographer’s site—it was a heartfelt project of environmental artistry. Through Beth Maynor Young’s lens, visitors were invited to exist in the Southern wilds: to hear frogs and herons, feel the currents, and see light change landscapes. Her approach echoes the belief that awareness is the first step toward protection, and that photography can be both art and activism.

While little remains of the original site today apart from archival traces, the legacy lives on in her prints, the conservation community, and the emotional resonance of her imagery. In a world increasingly disconnected from wild places, Cahaba River Publishing stands as a quiet testament to the power of seeing—and caring.