As I wandered through Amish Mennonite farmland I was overwhelmed by the scent of fresh New England soil and discernible brush of long grass against my legs. I felt the sensation of traveling back in time.
John Deere hired me to create a lifestyle photo shoot, capturing the use of their iconic brand in everyday life. I was unfulfilled with our current material and felt a pull to capture more of the essence of the true John Deere lifestyle. I set out with my associate photographer to explore.
We came across an old man who welcomed us back to his generations-old farm and antiquated home. I spent the afternoon documenting his extended Mennonite family with the equipment that is so deeply integrated into their daily lives. There was a sense of closeness formed by strong familial bonds and the lack of modern distractions. I was impressed by the Mennonites ability to survive ascetically, living contently off of their land. I am so grateful to the family for allowing me a glimpse into their distinct lifestyle.
At the end, I offered to do a photograph just for them, anywhere they liked. I expected for them to gravitate in front of their unique home or in front of the striking sun streaked hills. Instead the family gathered around the background they were most proud of - their John Deere 7820 Tractor.
* All Images created for Catherine Hall Studios by Catherine Hall and Curt Littlecott *
Before I went to Appalachia, I knew it was a land ravaged by the coal mining industry and rife with poverty. When I got there, I was struck by how this area of the United States seemed like an entirely different country. The people told me their stories of struggle and hardship, and how they survive in such an unwelcoming environment. According to the above Appalachian woman, the way to make a living is "To sell things you can't buy at WalMart."
A few years ago I received a Julia Dean scholarship that launched my adventures in Appalachia. Once there, I rented a Subaru and drove around, documenting everyday life. The images I captured show the lives of people who, quite honestly, seemed to be victims of natural resource industry. I could see how logging and mining stripped the land, how floods consumed towns, and how people eke out a living in this mountainous setting. Poverty is everywhere. Decaying equipment and cars are scattered about, left to rot with the people the industries have forgotten.
What I found fascinating were the huge economic shifts that occurred because of coal mining and logging. Appalachia was once a place for millionaires. In fact, the little town of Bramwell, West Virginia, once had the most millionaires per capita. People lived in mansions and enjoyed a life of luxury. Fast forward 100 years, and most coal mining companies are gone. People live in overcrowded houses. Children play in cars that haven't run for years. But most surprising of all is that this landscape is only a few hours' drive from several of our country's major metropolitan areas.
I'm so thankful for the people of Appalachia who let me into their lives. Without their trust and support, I wouldn't have been able to showcase such an unseen glimpse of American life.
What is Burning Man?
Located in the vast and trackless Black Rock Desert, Burning Man is a yearly gathering of over 50,000 people that temporarily makes up one of the most densely populated cities in the entire country. Over the period of one week, the desolate ground transforms to a place filled with creative expression, vibrant energy, delusion, delirium, and freedom from cultural norms. Burning Man "pilgrims" flock from around the globe to take part in an event where the rules of society are blown away like the sandstorms that swirl through the desert.
Conor, Age One-and-a-Half 
As an artist, inspiration is one of the most important elements of my work. My camera has given me the ability to explore the world and I look forward to sharing my discoveries. ln my monthly newsletter, Image Stories, I will take a moment to share some of my favorite images and the stories behind them.
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At 81 years old, one of my favorite people from Tasmania, Theodore Castle, has passed away. Ted was an amazing man, full of life and humor. Just to give you an idea of his personality, three weeks before he passed a nurse came into his room with decorative feathers in her hair. "How do you think I look?" she asked Ted. He replied, "Gosh, you want to be careful, they might take you for a rooster and chop your head off."To find out more about Ted and his life, please refer to
Ted story.pdf.
Tonight my work was included in an exhibit for Tourism Tasmania at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco. Above is a photograph of me and one of my favorite friends from the Adventure, Angela Drury. Established in 1993 in downtown San Francisco, the gallery showcases a unique blend of local and international artists, world class DJ's, live performance, and film screenings in an elegantly urban and ever-changing 4,000 square foot space. The gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Friday 12-5 pm and nightly on a rotating schedule for special events.
On Thanksgiving I made my way from Turkey to an amazing adventure in Salvador, Brazil. I have been told that Salvador is the cultural mecca of Brazil, with music and dance constantly spilling out into the streets, but nothing could have prepared me for this. The culture here is incredibly rich, and Brazilians are incredibly kind people (sometimes too kind).I came to Brazil for two reasons. First, to work on a photo project, and second to learn Samba. The dancing was just as important to me as the photography. I find that expressing myself in artistic ways beyond photography (especially dancing!) helps me grow as a photographer. How? It's simple; dancing makes me put my guard down, try new things, be creative, and move out of my comfort zone. Photography is the same thing; as is all art, and the more we practice it (regardless of the genre) the better artists we become.
Dancing also helps me understand cultures better. Just as you can learn a lot about a culture by what people eat, you can learn by how they move. Dance is a way to immerse yourself in other people's self expression that no other experience can give you. And when you're all out there having fun, everyone feels more at ease and more connected than if there was no music and movement. I love interacting with people on this level and pushing myself to join in, even when I think I look silly or mess up the steps!
And while I am enjoying dancing here in Brazil, I must remember that it's not the only thing that attracted me to this magical place. As always, my journey began with a desire to photograph people and experience cultures through the eyes of my camera lens. I already have many great images that I'm excited to share, so though the book project has not been formally announced, I will be posting some images from the trip on my blog. Please stay tuned for image updates.
I have been working on my imagery from Tasmania and have a few new images to share. There will be more to follow!
Here are a couple samples from our last John Deere shoot in Florida.
