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Minneapolis-based photographer Isaiah Stofferahn was recently contacted through his website by a representative of Oak & Eden, a new whiskey brand scheduled to hit store shelves in 2018. As part of the brand’s launch plan, Creative Director Brad Neathery wanted to highlight the makers responsible for the most iconic part of Whiskey distilling – the barrel. In addition to the standard aging barrel, Oak and Eden uses oak spires to speed the aging process and includes a piece of the spire in each bottle.
During the planning process, Isaiah and the Oak and Eden team had identified a feeling somewhere between classic Americana and modern lifestyle imagery, with a focus on capturing genuinely candid moments.
Isaiah traveled to Avon, Minnesota to find one of the few cooperages left in the United States to photograph the coopers at their workplace making barrels and spires out of American White Oak.
When I think of what this shoot was like, the word that comes to mind is “real”. The people in the imagery simply did their job and allowed me to capture them doing it which resulted in very real imagery.
One of the challenges photographing on a factory floor is being at the right place at the right time. Due to the candid nature of the shoot and the fact that the factory was in full operation, posing and re-creating specific shots was impossible. Luckily, the crew at the cooperage were all accommodating and their welcoming attitude made it a genuine pleasure for Isaiah to photograph them at work.
Because none of these shots were planned ahead of time, I had to capture what was taking place right before my eyes. And although it was a challenge, I’d say it was also a gift. Being able to just be somewhere and let real moments unfold before you as you capture them is a very beautiful thing.
Since the shoot, the images have been shown on both Oak and Eden’s and Isaiah’s Instagram accounts to a very encouraging response. These images may also be included in the upcoming website launch and future print advertisements.
Overall, the client has been incredibly pleased with the images and their reception. Although they’re still occupied with launch preparations, Oak and Eden plan to continue the project documenting other “makers” around the country to emphasize the motto “For all the makers, we made this for you.”
Additional Credit:
Creative Director: Brad Neathery
See more of Isaiah at isaiahphoto.net!