Welcome to BeautifulOzarks.com, Internet home of Lens & Pen Press, independent publishing firm focused on the human and natural history of the Ozarks and Midwest region. Through finely printed art books, photographs and the moving image we document, explain and illustrate one of America's least known but most surprising and distinct geographic and cultural regions.

DAMMING THE OSAGE AWARDED SILVER MEDAL IN NATIONAL COMPETITION
NOW AVAILABLE: DAMMING THE OSAGE: The Conflicted Story of Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Reservoir

A 304 page all color book about paddlefish, prairies, farms & villages, dams & reservoirs, imperial Indians, explorers, slickers, sportsmen, tourists & various violent, litigious & noteworthy events in the history of the Osage River Valley

Only fragments remain of the native prairies of the upper Osage watershed. It’s been two centuries since the warrior culture for which the river is named and who maintained the buffalo grasslands by fire, was pushed west by displaced Eastern tribes and land-hungry Americans. Two massive dams have turned the main stem of the river into huge reservoirs. Leland and Crystal Payton find the tale of these transformations compelling but turbulent.