Nature Filming and Photography: It's All About the Story

This past weekend was the first ever Whaleback Environmental Film & Art Festival in Portsmouth, NH. The whole festival was kicked off with a film about the Anderson Farm located in West Bridgewater, MA. This 14th generation family farm was permanently protected in 2010 through an APR (Agricultural Preservation Restriction) with the help of Wildlands Trust. The film about the project was produced by Jerry Monkman, renowned nature photographer, environmentalist, and friend of the Trust.


The Anderson Farm film was Jerry's first film. Our Executive Director, Karen Grey, had showed Jerry a slideshow with audio of an interview with people who had previously donated land to the Trust. Jerry found the combination of audio and visuals compelling and decided that he could use his photography style along with high definition technology to start producing films.


To make the Anderson Farm film, Jerry spent an afternoon filming and watching the Anderson brothers work before interviewing them on camera. Jerry did this so the brothers would feel more comfortable come interview time. Jerry finds that the characters and storytellers drive the story and he'll shoot extra footage to fill in the gaps.


His Anderson Farm film was a hybrid between a documentary and a promotional piece for the Trust. The phenomenal music that accompanies the film was created by his brother, Jeff Monkman. You can listen to samples of Jeff's folk/rock music here and take a peak at Jerry's other films here.


Jerry added that, "It's most important to find and tell a story - you don't need expensive equipment. Just decent sound and people." We asked him where he'd travel to if he could take pictures or capture footage anywhere in the world. He modestly replied that he doesn't have the time to think about that since he's so focused on work, but maybe Alaska. He spent time there 15 years ago and thinks it may be nice to go back there with the skills he has since developed. Jerry will be leading a Sunrise Nature Photography Workshop at our Annual Meeting this June 18th. The workshop/annual meeting is for members only.


-Post by Sarah Kugel, Community Outreach Coordinator, skugel@wildlandstrust.org