Brian has spent 40+ years in Alaska. Known as the “Last Frontier”, this rugged territory is famous for its raging rivers, snowcapped peaks and wonderful wildlife. In other words, sights many photographers only dream about. Yet, Brian’s muse is a small, coveted, corner of Northern Europe where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Finland.
Brian first journeyed to Estonia in the Spring of 1999. This was not long after the Singing Revolution led to its second independence. Since then he has returned several times to scratch a photographic itch in a fairytale land once the domain of kings, czars, Nazis and Soviets. Experiencing this magnificent, yet remote, part of Europe will always be a lifetime highlight.
Until now, this collection was firmly ensconced in the darkness of various USB storage devices. Brian’s family and friends – in the States and in Estonia – often teased him about the whereabouts of this photographic work. Months of semi-isolation, courtesy of a global pandemic, provided an ideal opportunity to sort through tens of thousands of digital images bringing to light the exhibition presented here. While it’s been a daunting process, it’s also been a labor of love.
December 2021
Somebody once said, “Shoot what you love”. So, I did. Presented here are simple snapshots made in Europe’s best kept secret – a magical place called Estonia.