storytelling for a complex nonprofit

Forterra

background

I worked as the Digital Media and Design Manager at Forterra for several years before starting my consulting business. They’ve continued to hire me over the years for a multitude of projects that require someone who understands the nuances of a complex organization that takes a novel approach to conservation. Below I highlight a handful of photography projects and a short video I produced for Forterra.

scope

  • Photography
  • Script editing
  • Video production

Carrie has impressed me again and again with her diverse talents. I'm so glad we hired Carrie to produce our video.

photography

visit to cowiche creek

In 2019, Forterra finalized a deal to conserve more than seven square miles of habitat for elk, bighorn sheep, wolves, bear, cougar, and more. I visited Cowiche Creek outside of Yakima, WA, to explore and document this conservation win with some of its key players from Forterra, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

scenes in the central district

In 2017, Forterra closed on a landmark deal with Africatown Community Land Trust to guarantee affordable, subsidized housing in the heart of a quickly gentrifying neighborhood. I had a few free hours and jumped on my bike to shoot some photos on a gorgeous fall day. 

the faces of abu bakr

I had the opportunity to visit Abu Bakr Islamic Center in Tukwila to take some photos for Forterra who established a partnership to secure a keystone property across the street from the center. Here are a few photos of some of the beautiful people I met.

farmland forever

In 2015, Forterra conserved the largest plot of farmland in Pierce County. The 153 acres, located along the Puyallup River, has been farmed for over 100 years. The conservation easement Forterra orchestrated means the land will forever be protected from development and will enable the restoration of salmon habitat. Forterra needed photos of the farm so I drove down to meet the new owners. 

videography

versatile video for multiple audiences

Forterra needed a short video to use in diverse settings to explain Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), a rather complex market-based tool that supports both growth and conservation. I interviewed multiple videographers and hired Waka Waka Studios, a video production agency based in Seattle. Together we overhauled an initial script to develop an engaging and creative way to describe a rather complex, dry topic in under four minutes.

more photography + videography projects