"Wooden Skeleton" 'Life After Life," an exhibit of photographs by Melanie Heinrich, is at McKay Imaging Studio & Gallery in Red Bank, where it will run through May 12.

The photographs reveal unique perspectives of time, space and spirituality.

According to Heinrich, she began work on the images following the death of her brother in 2003. Around that time, the deaths of several loved ones, including that of her father, and her mother's serious illness, were the impetus for "Life After Life."

"The more living I do the more dying I see," she said in an artist's statement. "I have looked to God for answers and believe with deep convictions that life continues after we leave this earth. This body of work is intended to be a photographic expression of what I believe happens to us after we die.

"It is my intention to show the journey that I believe the soul takes after it leaves the body and finds its final resting place.

"Please enjoy my visual journey from life to life."

"Universe and Clouds" Heinrich has been making fine art photographs for 33 years.

Her image series include traditional black and white, documentary photography and conceptual digital imagery. In her art, she seeks to draw the viewer into the image.

"An image should say something and make the viewer question," she said.

Heinrich operates a commercial photography studio and is head of the photography department within the art department at Monmouth University in West Long Branch. She runs both the photography and studio lighting labs and has prepared the course structure and curriculum for those areas for the university.

She also founded Photo Tips and Tricks, a business that offers online photography courses.

Gallery hours are 1-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, or by appointment. McKay Imaging is located at 12 Monmouth St., on the second floor.

For information, call (732) 842-2272 or visit www.mckayimaging.com.

"Showers From Heaven"