Early morning milking. Farm photography starts with the farmer and ends with the farmer.
It’s taken me some time to realize the importance of community. Not just my extended photography community, but also the community in which I live. When I was asked to shoot a social campaign for Blundstone Boots, I was stumped at first because they were looking for farm photography and I mostly focus on adventure/lifestyle. But then I realized I had a community of sustainable farmers – many of whom I’ve shared a beer with – living right here in the Roaring Fork Valley. Within a few hours, I had put together a book and casting list and had it sitting in Blundstone’s inbox.
Even though my main focus is adventure photography, farm photography, when focusing on the lifestyle and scenic side of it, isn’t all that much different. When shot in a beautiful location, it’s still all about the balance of subject and landscape. Blundstone came to me because they were looking to capture authenticity. And because of my community, we were able to find true, hard working sustainable farmers and ranchers. Together we chose Erin Cuseo, who owns Erins Acres Farms and is very much involved with all of the Valley’s farmers. She’s a very good looking woman and has tons of energy, connections at various farms and was more than willing to work with me and Blundstone for this shoot.
Erin Cuseo at Sunfire Ranch
The new Blundstone workboot in its element.
I was personally excited to shoot the campaign, because I’m a huge advocate of sustainable farming and buying local. When Blundstone asked me to shoot, not only was I stoked to photograph locally, but I was stoked be working for a company that shares my values.
We shot at her farm, near Old Snowmass and at a ranch in Carbondale, Sunfire Ranch, which supports local farming and ranching and is beginning a retreat style program, where visitors learn to cook with locally grown food.
Awesome farmers have friends!
Blundstones and an old Land Rover.
I’m excited by how the project panned out and I’m thrilled to call Carbondale, Colorado home.
Please visit Erin Cuseo’s website to learn about her CSA, and Blundstone to learn more about their new work boots.
For more shots from the shoot, please check out Blundstone on my projects page.