“The artistry of Mark A. Schneider's photos explain themselves in the deepest of ways – even if someone doesn’t know “who” the deer is – an individual deer becomes representational of deer– and the sensitivity in his photos captures a feeling that words can’t capture - that each deer is an individual living their own life Story. A deep message that seeps in is that ultimately it is not necessary to know each one - to feel love and respect and reverence for each of them and to feel how important and lasting family ties and friendship between deer are - in the fabric of a deer’s life.

Mark's photos freeze a moment filled with the emotional soul and heart of a deer - he captures the intimacy of the feeling of gentle innocence and it is directly transported from the deer to a person’s heart– bypassing human commentary.

What mesmerizes is the attention to detail –the artistry of the photos and how carefully the Book’s layout draws you in. There is the art of how Gentle Souls of the Forest works together as a Collection of fine art photos – you as a viewer participate in the experience of encountering each deer along with Mark - and Mark almost fades out – it becomes truly like the person’s own individual walk in the forest – where each time you turn the pages, another quiet walk brings new discoveries and insights.

The Deer are the writers of the Book – the conveyers of their own Stories and Gentle Souls of the Forest invites us to come along for the Walk – meeting and connecting with each deer on his and her own terms that you feel – once you feel it – it can’t be unfelt.

What I love about this Book is the mission potential beyond one’s own experience – Gentle Souls of the Forest is such an education tool taught by the teachers themselves – the deer and this Book is a springboard for an advocate, a person who loves deer - to show others why. The photos convey such clarity of who deer are - their eyes speak and the way Mark captures a deer with his or her eyes closed – the pure bliss and comfort from grooming each other - the companionship and family – is so conveyed through an empathetic, respectful and insightful lens – the most important education there is – seeing and at the same time feeling how much each deer’s life matters to that deer – and how deep family ties are - feeling who a deer is and what matters to a deer and how each deer wants what any one wants – to live a life – trusting and feeling safe in their Home.

Gentle Souls of the Forest is a Collection of feelings and moments and the background of this that people don’t see or think about – is how the soul and heart and spirit of the animal comes alive in the photos because of earned trust – and that is why Mark Schneider's exquisitely sensitive photos capture the real essence of a deer and an intimacy that is seen and felt.

I can't recommend this Book enough - as a Book that captures your own heart and answers over and over Who a Deer is - and as a Resource beyond yourself - Mark has given a Gift to all those individuals and advocacy organizations and networks whose passion and mission is Deer Advocacy - a "resource tool" to raise awareness and open the heart - not with sentimentality - but through the lens of mutual trust, empathy and insight - showing through the deer, themselves - who these gentle souls of the forest are.”