The Beauty of Rural Vermont | Featured Photographer Caleb Kenna

WHAT’S YOUR CONNECTION TO NEW ENGLAND?

I grew up in Brandon, Vermont, in a historic house on a hill; it was full of windows with views of the Green Mountains, Taconics, and Adirondacks. I love driving the back roads of Vermont on assignment or in search of compelling landscapes and portraits. Although I have lived in and enjoyed places like New Mexico, California, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Thailand, and India, I am continually drawn back to the small towns, working landscapes, and engaging characters of Vermont.

WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND IN PHOTOGRAPHY?

I grew up looking at old black-and-white photographs printed and dry-mounted by my father in the 1960s: portraits, street scenes, and architectural details from New Haven, Connecticut. From my mother, I learned the importance of asking people questions. And I grew up in a light-filled house with large windows facing east, west, south, and north. Two of my hardest and most rewarding photo assignments in high school and college were to photograph a stranger and to make photographs at the time of day when daylight and night are balanced, i.e., twilight. I started working as a photographer at newspapers and loved the challenge of making creative photographs every day on deadline. I was inspired by photographers like Eugene Richards, Jim Blair, and Chris Rainier during workshops at the Maine Photographic Workshops. I’ve always loved shooting with Nikon cameras, first film and then digital. Last year I started using a DJI Mavic Pro drone and love its quick setup, ease of use, small size, and sharp photos and videos. It has inspired me to shoot more and add this valuable tool to my camera bag.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I am inspired by light, nature, people, and new perspectives. One of my favorite things to do is wake up before dawn, load up my canoe, and paddle a nearby lake as the sun rises over the Green Mountains. Nothing beats the atmosphere and mood of early morning or late afternoon light. I try to look for new details and patterns as the seasons unfold. I am also inspired by making portraits, whether on assignment or as part of a personal project. The camera is a great excuse to gain access briefly into people’s lives. Before I started using a drone, I would hire an airplane and pilot once or twice a year to make aerial photos in Vermont. I loved the soaring new perspectives on familiar towns, rivers, lakes, and roads. To see more of Caleb Kenna’s work, go to calebkenna.com.

The Beauty of Rural Vermont | Featured Photographer Caleb Kenna

This post was first published in 2018 and has been updated. 

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