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CEDAR CITY — As Nate Cowlishaw made his way around the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico, like most visitors, he was in awe of the magnificent landscape that surrounded the 1,000-year-old structure. The Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range served as the perfect backdrop for the adobe structure and Cowlishaw grabbed his camera to snap a photo.
There was something else that caught his eye; it was a dog taking a nap on the dirt. He took a few steps back as to widen his camera’s view and he took the picture.
Had he taken the shot of the pueblo and mountain range, it would have been a breathtaking photo, but by taking those few steps back, he added life to his picture — telling a story.
As a young boy, Nathan Cowlishaw loved listening to the stories his grandpa told him of the great Southwest, particularly the gold rush of the mid 1800s. He was so enamored with the stories, that as a teen, he would often find himself wandering the mountains near his home in Cedar City, in search of such treasures.
However, now, Cowlishaw is no longer in search of the treasures he heard stories about; he is now on a quest to find the kinds of treasures that tell a story and he plans to travel 9,500 miles in a Suzuki Vitara, in order to do it.
In March — backed by supporters of his kickstarter campaign, which include many of his 50,000 “Talking Tree” Instagram followers — the photographer plans to travel the great Southwest, documenting what he calls, “Modern Americana.”
I will not separate the human element from the natural scenery in my landscape photography because there is no such thing as 'pristine wilderness.' Man and nature are not separate; we're inseparable.
–Nathan Cowlishaw
He will start at his hometown of Cedar City, travel west to California, then move his way along the Mexican border, through Oklahoma, Texas, Lousiana and New Mexico. He plans to go to rural communities and talk to people in the areas, with the goal of telling stories of American Folklore through his pictures.
“I want to be a documentarian,” Cowlishaw said. “I want to capture what is quickly disappearing, what is there now and start trying to interpret what the future may hold in store for us. I've made it my life's work to document these places in the Southwest for future generations who will be able to look back on my work and see what things once looked liked.”
With each photo he takes — whether it be capturing the majestic mesas in Southern Utah or the Three Sisters rock formation in Monument Valley — this up-and-coming photographer will capture the landscape while focusing on one key component: the human element.
“I will not separate the human element from the natural scenery in my landscape photography because there is no such thing as ‘pristine wilderness,’ Cowlishaw said. “Man and nature are not separate; we’re inseparable.”
Over his six to nine week journey, Cowlishaw will report back to his followers about what he has found along the way with his pictures matched with words, telling a story that he hopes future generations will look back on for years to come.
Cowlishaw’s Kickstarter campaign*, “The Great Southwestern Suzuki Adventure,” runs through Feb. 11 and offers a variety of discounted prints to pledgers. He plans to use funds earned from the project to fund his 9,500-mile trip.
“I want to follow in the footsteps of those who came before us and to find those people who are living in the present who continue to tell their story.”
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
About the Author: Arianne Brown
Arianne is a mother to six young children. Her down time is spent running the mountain trails of the Wasatch Mountains and beyond. Contact her at ariannebrown1@gmail.com, follow her on Twitter @arimom6 or search her Facebook page, "A Mother's Write."
