We were lucky to catch up with Troy Burrus recently and have shared our conversation below.

Troy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I’ve always been drawn to capturing the natural wonders of national parks through my photography, but living in the Midwest has taught me to appreciate the beauty that surrounds me closer to home. When my wife, who specializes in portrait photography, was approached to shoot a century farm, she recommended me for the job. It was a new challenge for me—I had never done commissioned work like this before, and I wasn’t sure how to approach capturing the essence of a farm solely composed of fields.

However, I was determined to embrace the opportunity. I spent countless hours visiting the farm, immersing myself in the area and getting know about the family. Their deep connection to the land, particularly the terraces built by their ancestors a century ago, became the focal point of my photography. I was also inspired to seek out unique lighting conditions, like the dramatic atmosphere before an approaching storm.

When I presented the photos to the family, I was apprehensive. What they had sen of my work was the grandeur of national park landscapes, whereas I had focused on the intimate details of their farm. However, their emotional reaction took me by surprise—in the best way possible. Hearing about their tears of joy made me realize just how deeply these farms are cherished by families and how important it is to capture them.

This experience has ignited a new mission for me: to document as many family farms as I can, preserving their legacy for future generations. In a time when corporate interests threaten the existence of these cherished landscapes, I believe it’s crucial to celebrate and protect the stories they hold.

Troy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My mission is to inspire people to embrace the world around them and find solace in nature’s beauty.

I am driven to preserve the precious wild spaces and lands we have inherited while spreading the joy nature brings to our souls.

The hustle and bustle of life can be overwhelming and draining. A fast-paced, high-stress environment left me grappling with anxiety. Everything changed when I discovered the tranquility of the great outdoors, armed with nothing but my camera.

I aim to provide a healthy escape for myself and others through fine art landscape photographs. Returning to nature and those special places rejuvenates me, making me feel complete.

I hope my work can also bring joy and happiness to your heart.

Together, let us embrace the wonders of nature and appreciate the beauty surrounding us. – Troy Burrus

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Taking pictures of landscapes lets me meet lots of different people. I talk to folks I meet while hiking and hear their stories. Sometimes, people who see my photos at a show or the Iowa State Fair tell me about their own memories. These moments show me how much nature means to everyone. It’s cool to see how nature brings people together and makes us all feel connected.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Juggling a substantial email list while postponing newsletter creation has been a hurdle for me. Despite recognizing the importance of regular communication, I sometimes find myself procrastinating on crafting newsletters. Balancing content creation with other responsibilities can feel overwhelming, leading to delays in reaching out to my audience. However, I’m actively working on improving my time management skills to ensure consistent and engaging communication with my subscribers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kuhliiphotography.com
• Instagram: kuhliiphotography
• Facebook: kuhliiphotography

Image Credits
Troy Burrus