Erik Petersen - Stories of Public Lands & the People Who Love Them

Erik Petersen is a Montana-based photographer, filmmaker, and photojournalist whose work showcases the American West and the many ways we enjoy our wide open spaces. His most recent film, A Few Steps Further, explores the commonalities between backcountry hunting and mountain endurance sports, while highlighting the spectacular wild landscapes that make these activities possible. Historically, hunters and adventure sports enthusiasts have not always seen eye to eye, but through his film, Erik demonstrates that the two groups have much more in common than not, most notably a love for public lands, pushing one's physical limits, and hardcore adventure. • Growing up in Minnesota, Erik was an avid hunter and outdoorsman-- but with a lifelong love for Montana, he moved West the day that he graduated from college. He worked for over ten years as a newspaper photographer throughout Montana, honing his craft and learning to produce high-quality work under the pressure and deadlines of traditional print media. Eventually Erik transitioned into freelance photography, taking some initial assignments that included trips to war-torn Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Today, much of his work centers around the landscapes of the American West, and his photographs and films highlight many of the values that we celebrate time and again on this podcast—conservation, public lands, adventure sports, and interesting people who love the West. • Erik and I caught up on the day that A Few Steps Further was released to the public, so I’ve embedded it in the episode notes—be sure to check it out, you’ll love it. In addition to that film, we talk about some of his other creative work, including a film he’s currently making that explores the threat of a goldmine near Yellowstone National Park and the promising bipartisan coalition that has emerged to fight the threat. We also cover the lessons he learned from his years in photojournalism, and how he manages to balance his roles as a husband and father of two boys while running his own creative business and pursuing adventure sports such as hunting and ultra running. We also discuss his creative mentors and heroes and his favorite books and films, plus he gives some good advice on how to take better landscape photos. • Visit the episode notes for links to everything, and enjoy this fun conversation with Erik Petersen. ••• Episode Notes: http://mountainandprairie.com/erik-petersen/ A Few Steps Further: https://vimeo.com/273008250 Support the Podcast: http://mountainandprairie.com/support/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:35 - How Erik describes his work 4:10 - A Few Steps Further explained 6:05 - Erik’s background ultra running 7:35 - Growing up in Minnesota 8:50 - Backstory of Erik’s ultra running friend in the film 11:50 - What attracts Erik to adventure and endurance sports 14:00 - Early years 16:00 - Moving to Montana 18:15 - Experience from working at a newspaper 22:20 - Transition to freelance 25:30 - Time in Afganistan and scary stories 29:10 - Public lands 33:55- Mentors and heroes 36:15 - Nuts and bolts of filmmaking 37:50 - Patagonia media grant & new film 43:30 - How he choses creative projects 48:05 - How to take better landscape photos 51:00 - Favorite books and authors 53:00 - Favorite films 54:00 - Surprising activities 55:40 - Most powerful outdoor experience 57:50 - Best advice ever received 59:15 - Request of the listeners 1:00:05 - Follow Erik online