Travel Photographer Susan Seubert shoots O’o Farm in Kula, Maui

Aloha from the beautiful island of Maui!  On Monday, we had the great pleasure of visiting O’o Farms located on the slopes of Haleakala in what is referred to as upcountry Maui.  The farm is located in the little town of Kula, just off of the main road and the property overlooks the valley and ocean.  O’o Farm is the only true farm-to-table operation on the island and for a nominal fee, one can visit the farm and learn about their coffee, vegetables and even pick the greens to be served for lunch!  It’s a nice way to spend the day in the cool, misty outdoors and an unexpected pleasure to experience fine dining in a unique island setting.  Below are some images from our visit that I hope you enjoy.  Mahalo for visiting and a hui ho!

O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Children get to feed the chickens at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

A delicious cappuccino made from coffee grown at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, boasts gorgeous views from the gardens.

Visitors pick their own salad greens for lunch at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

The salad at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Beautifully prepared tofu with root vegetables at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Wood stored for the outdoor oven at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Farm flowers decorate the lunch tables at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Vanessa, one of the workers at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Travel Photographer Susan Seubert shoots Road Trip to Round Up for Travel Oregon’s Instagram

Let ‘er buck!  That’s the phrase that rings throughout the small town of Pendleton, Oregon during the second full week of September where over 50,000 people descend to watch or participate in the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo.  This rodeo is unique in that since its inception in 1910 it has included a large Native American presence.  Over 300 tee pees are set up on the rodeo grounds where members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla gather to visit with one another and participate in displays of their culture.  One of my favorite events was the Indian Relay race where members of several tribes compete in a bareback horse race around the track.  It’s mind blowing to think that these athletes are able to ride at tremendous speed without the need for saddles, spurs or any of the other trappings of horse racing to which I am accustomed.  On the Saturday morning of the big rodeo weekend, the tribes invite the public to come down to the grass field of the stadium and watch as the tribal dance competitions take place.  There is drumming, singing and dancing where contestants are divided up by age and gender, then judged on their dancing skills.  Below are some of my favorite images from the 4 days that I covered just last weekend.  Enjoy and let ‘er buck!

Stock pens at the Pendleton Round Up, Pendleton, Oregon, USA

Louis Sweowat of the Yakima Tribe showing me a headdress at the Pendleton Round Up, Pendleton, Oregon, USA

The Grand Entry at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

One of the classic rodeo events, the Saddle Bronc competition at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

Over 300 tee pees are set up on the grounds at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

one of the 700 cowboys who come to compete at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

Riders in the “Indian Relay Race” at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

The Native American or “Indian” Beauty Pageant at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

Travel photographer Susan Seubert shoots Pendleton Oregon Makers Story for Travel Oregon

 

Let Er Buck statue outside the Pendleton Round Up Grounds, Pendleton, Oregon

Pendleton has long been known for the Round Up, a rodeo that has been drawing thousands since its inception in 1910.  The city as a travel destination unto itself is a relatively new phenomenon.  Situated about 3 hours east of Portland in the high desert, Pendleton is a classic Western town.  One of the biggest draws is to visit the Pendleton Woolen Mills.  Now, you can sample craft beer, order custom cowboy boots, shop the antique stores, have a great steak dinner in a beautiful, Western themed restaurant and visit a contemporary art space. I recently had the chance to spend some time there photographing a story about some of the city’s craftsmen.  Below are a few of my favorite pictures from the shoot.  Check out the story online at TravelOregon.com.

23 Plus, a custom leather work shop in downtown Pendleton, Oregon owned by leather worker Joe Meling

23 Plus, a custom leather work shop in downtown Pendleton, Oregon owned by leather worker Joe Meling

The famous neon sign at Hamleys, a leather goods and Western wear shop, Cafe and Restaurant in downtown Pendleton, Oregon

Cowboys from Idaho shopping for saddles and hats at Hamleys, a leather goods and Western wear shop, Cafe and Restaurant in downtown Pendleton, Oregon

Pendleton Woolen Mills in Pendleton, Oregon

Pendleton Woolen Mills in Pendleton, Oregon

Pendleton Woolen Mills in Pendleton, Oregon

Crow’s Shadow in Pendleton, Oregon

Master Printer Frank Jenzen showing the work of Rick Bartow, a Native American artist whose work is available for sale at Crow’s Shadow, Pendleton, Oregon

Artist in Residence Samatha Wall working on her artwork with master printer Frank Janzen at Crow’s Shadow in Pendleton, Oregon

Stapleman Boot Company in Pendleton, Oregon

Stapleman Boot Company in Pendleton, Oregon

Montana Peaks Hat Company in Pendleton, Oregon

Montana Peaks Hat Company in Pendleton, Oregon

Montana Peaks Hat Company in Pendleton, Oregon

Commercial Photographer Susan Seubert photographs Olympic Coach for USAA

Major Daniel J. Browne, an active National Guard Serviceman, is a United States distance runner, who has won numerous major American road race championships and was a member of the 2004 Olympic team in the 10K and marathon. He is pictured here in Eugene, Oregon at Alton Baker Park

 

Eugene, Oregon hosted the 2016 Olympic Team trials for track and field this past June and we were there to photograph coach and former Olympic competitor Dan Browne for USAA. Part of the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program, Major Browne coached three runners into the games in Rio this year.  We had a very short time to spend with him, but enjoyed having an opportunity to feel part of the excitement of the games.  Below are a few images from behind the scenes.  One of the athletes he coaches runs tomorrow in the men’s 5000 Meter.  We wish Paul Chelimo the best!

Behind the scene look at our set for USAA with Dan Browne

We brought out the 400mm for this shot so that we could get some nice background for Maj. Browne

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Travel Photographer Susan Seubert shoots Portland, Oregon for Smithsonian’s Instagram

This week I was given the keys to Smithsonian Magazine’s Instagram account.  My home base is Portland, Oregon and I love this city because not only is it beautiful, the community here is full of interesting and engaging people.  This week gave me an opportunity to share with the world some of the iconic people and places that I hold near and dear to my heart here in the Pacific Northwest.  Below are a few of the images from the project.  Please continue to follow me on my Instagram account @susanseubert

Have a beautiful summer!

The St. John’s Bridge as seen from a ship on the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon

The Unipiper in Portland, Oregon

Downtown Portland Oregon in the late afternoon sunlight as viewed from Pittock Acres Park at Pittock Mansion, showing the city nestled in the Willamette Valley with Mt. Hood visible in the distance.

Tattoo artist MJ Haaka at her home in Portland, Oregon

Behind the Scenes with Portrait Photographer Susan Seubert on location in Portland, Oregon

I just wrapped my first shoot for the University of Portland, featuring environmental portraits of their students to be used in their print collateral. It was a beautiful day in Portland, OR, and we were able to use the campus and the city as our backdrops.

Portland’s landmark architecture is bridges, so we chose the base of the Hawthorne Bridge as one of our locations.  Although we had to dodge cyclists and pedestrians, we were able to pull off the shoot in little time.  I like packing a fairly light kit, so I set up a Canon 580EX flash on a stand wired to Pocket Wizard radio triggers. No wires meant that I could use a long lens and shoot across the busy pedestrian path. I chose to use an umbrella as a light source but in order to get rid of the dappled light from the tree he was standing under, we had to hold up a scrim to block the sunlight.

Behind the Scenes: the photographer’s perspective

On location in Portland, Oregon

The end result was a success!  I’ll share the image after it goes to press.

Thanks for visiting!

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Susan Seubert photographs Jacobsen Salt for National Geographic Traveler

Recently I was assigned by National Geographic Traveler Magazine to photograph the process of making salt from sea water harvested from Netarts Bay, Oregon, at the Jacobsen Salt Company. The story has been published in the February/March 2016 issue of the magazine, which focuses on water-loving getaways.  The idea for the project was to document the entire process of making salt – from sea water to the pure crystalline mineral.  The shoot was scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, but when I saw the awful weather forecast, I left Portland early so that I could arrive Sunday to scout, and possibly photograph.  Arriving a day early turned out to be a good decision because we ended up having a nice afternoon with sun breaks and an astonishingly beautiful sunset. The following two days were solid rain as a very large storm slammed into Netarts.  Working under an umbrella held by a heavy-duty C-stand allowed me to continue to work outside, despite the deluge. I truly enjoyed working with Ben Jacobsen and his crew.  They made it easy to get some great images, despite the typically challenging weather at the Oregon coast.  Below are a few of my favorites.

Jacobsen Salt Company in Netarts, Oregon, USA. Their main products are flake and kosher sea salts available for sale in their store in Portland, Oregon. Pictured here is Jacobsen Flake Salt.

Jacobsen Salt Company in Netarts, Oregon, USA. The salt is harvested from sea water pumped from Netarts Bay in to their facility located on the shore of the bay. Pictured here is salt being sifted in order to grade and separate the salt.

Pictured here is the salt being harvested from the evaporation pans using specially adapted shovels.

Netarts Bay, Oregon, where Jacobsen Salt Company harvests its sea water in order to make flake salt.

Jacobsen Salt Company in Netarts, Oregon, USA. Pictured here is owner Ben Jacobsen.

All of the images were photographed with a Canon 5D Mark III with various Canon lenses.  All of the images were shot in RAW and processed using Adobe’s Lightroom CC software.  All photographs are copyright © 2016 Susan Seubert and may not be used in any form without prior written permission from Susan Seubert.

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