Meet Cranford photographer Christine Dyer, author of There’s This River
Stop. Breathe. Notice the beauty all around you. This is the message that local Cranford NJ photographer and mom Christine Dyer would like everyone to practice. She has spent years quietly documenting the wildlife, light, and peaceful moments along our Rahway River. What began as simple walks while raising her young children slowly turned into something much bigger – a deeply personal photography project that has now become the stunning book There’s This River. Filled with breathtaking images of the nature that surrounds our towns, the book is both a love letter to her community and a reminder to slow down and notice the beauty in our own backyard.
Even better, this project gives back: 10% of every book sold online supports Cranford Family Care, helping local families right here in our community. We wanted to share this meaningful interview with Christine where she discusses her creative journey, the wildlife along the Rahway River, and what she hopes readers take away from There’s This River.
Below, Cranford photographer Christine Dyer shares the story behind her book, There’s This River—from her connection to the Rahway River to the unexpected beauty waiting to be discovered right here in New Jersey. Be sure to read to the end, where you’ll find several local shops carrying the book, making it the perfect gift for someone special (or yourself!) this summer.
Meet Cranford Photographer Christine Dyer
Tell us a little bit about you and your connection to Cranford, New Jersey?
My family and I have called Cranford, New Jersey home for the past 16 years. The town is woven into our everyday life—school drop-offs, walks through town, time by the river, and a community that genuinely shows up for one another. That feeling ultimately inspired my work and this book. Cranford isn’t just where I live; it’s where I learned to look outside myself and see the world differently.
If Christine’s story inspires you to explore more of Cranford, you may also enjoy my guide to Living in Cranford, NJ, where I share some of the things that make our town such a wonderful place to call home.
When did you first pursue photography and your creative side?
I’m self-taught, and my interest in photography began in my twenties and early thirties while traveling. Over the course of visiting more than 25 countries, I always had a camera in hand, capturing everything from sunsets and local cuisine to temples and historic castles. A trip to the Galápagos Islands in 2009 truly sparked my love for wildlife photography.
Discovering the Rahway River
When did you first start photographing the Rahway River, and what made that place special to you?
The truth is you don’t have to travel far to find beauty. When my children were babies and in preschool, I used the little free time I had to take walks along the Rahway River and nearby trails. After just a few outings, I began noticing extraordinary wildlife I had never paid attention to before. I started bringing my camera with me on these weekly—and sometimes daily—walks. Nature photography became my creative outlet, and through years of trial and error, I slowly taught myself to see the world differently.
What is the meaning behind the title, “There’s This River”?
The river is full of life—on every walk, I could always find wildlife to photograph. Over time, as I talked about my hobby of searching for and photographing wildlife, I kept saying to people, “There’s this river in our town.” That simple, offhand phrase stayed with me and eventually became the heart—and title—of There’s This River.
Wildlife and Wonder in Cranford, NJ
Is there a particular story behind one of the photos and could you share?
One of my favorite moments came during a quiet escape in the COVID months, while the kids were at their half-day of school. I looked up and there he was — a juvenile raccoon, perched about 10 feet up in a tree, staring down at me. For a brief moment, we just existed there together — cautious, curious, sharing the same quiet woods. During that uncertain season, the trails grounded me; the woods felt steady when everything else didn’t. This photo, taken at Mohawk Park on 5/21/21, is called Welcome to My Woods and appears on page 7 of There’s This River.
What kinds of wildlife, moments, or scenes along the Rahway River do you find yourself most drawn to photographing?
I’ve really gotten into birding, so finding migrating birds is always a thrill — especially the ones that only show up for a week each year. But I also love photographing bunnies, foxes, and groundhogs… it’s impossible to choose! Each walk along the Rahway River offers a new surprise, and that sense of discovery is what keeps me coming back.
How can your neighbors in Cranford and across Union County, New Jersey discover the natural beauty in their own backyard?
It’s really as simple as slowing down and going for a walk. It’s rare that I don’t spot some form of wildlife—we just have to step away from our phones and be present. When you slow down and truly pay attention, the natural beauty is right there in your own backyard.
Turning Years of Photography into a Book
As a Cranford mom and active community member, how did you incorporate creating this book into your daily life?
At first, it was simply a thrill to create artwork I could hang in my own home. Over time, it grew into a cohesive body of work, and I began to imagine the collection as something more—a meaningful gift and a way to encourage people to appreciate the beauty right outside their door.
It’s been incredibly meaningful to have my children watch the project come to life, and even the Girl Scouts troop I lead learned about the process while earning their Entrepreneurial badge. Since releasing There’s This River, it’s also connected me with so many wonderful people in town I might not have met otherwise.
Giving Back Through There’s This River
Why was it important for this book to give back locally and why Cranford Family Care?
With every copy of There’s This River sold online, 10% supports Cranford Family Care—helping feed families right here in our community. I believe art should give back to the place that inspires it. Cranford Family Care quietly supports our neighbors and giving back felt like a natural extension of the book’s message: awareness, compassion, and care for what’s close to home.
Christine Dyer’s Favorite Places Along the Rahway River
If someone has never visited spots along the Rahway River, what would be the first place you would send them and why?
I’d start at the Cranford Canoe Club, grab some ice cream, and then take a stroll to Hanson Park Conservacy. It’s a quiet, woodsy gem along the Rahway River, complete with a butterfly garden—perfect for anyone looking to experience nature and the peaceful side of Cranford.
Besides the incredible natural beauty – what is your other favorite thing about Cranford, NJ?
Cranford represents home—not just a physical place, but a community that grows with you. It’s a town full of discovery and hidden treasures: the Cranford Newcomers Club, where I met some of my closest friends; the annual Rubber Ducky Race and Pumpkin Carve-Out; summers at the town pool; and drop-in pickleball at the Cranford Recreation Center—all of which have made my time here truly special.
Own Your Own Copy of There’s This River
Copies of There’s This River are available at www.riverandwildco.com. Ten percent of all online book sales are donated to Cranford Family Care, and complimentary local delivery is available within Cranford.
You can also purchase the book locally at:
The Curious Heart, Cranford, NJ
Hickory & Hill General Store, Cranford, NJ
The Cranford Bookstore, Cranford, NJ
Patricia and Paul, Westfield NJ
Trailside Nature Center, Mountainside, NJ
Contact Information
Christine Dyer
Author, There’s This River
Owner, River & Wild Co.
Site by Ha Media
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