Grace and Gratitude - Minnesota State Photograph

Over a year ago, I received a message from an old high school classmate named Kristin (Ekern) Burdey. She was on the hunt for the famous Minnesota State Photo to adorn her cafe, Burdey’s in Peterson, MN. In case you didn't know, Minnesota actually has a designated State Photo called "Grace" by Eric Enstrom, taken back in 1918. Intrigued by her quest, I promptly responded to Kristin, expressing my admiration for that photograph and mentioning that I possessed a replica of it, originating from my Great Grandmother's house, which now adorned my dining room. I also shared my idea of recreating the image for the present times.

 

Several months passed, and I had the opportunity to capture senior portraits of Kristin's daughter on her parents farm. On that occasion, Kristins parents, Roger and Sue, were present, and I couldn't resist photographing them amidst the rural setting. As I edited their pictures, a realization struck me—Roger would be the perfect subject for my envisioned modern version of "Grace." Given his endearing old-guy charm and the deep faith shared by Kristin's parents, I pitched the idea to her, and she was enthusiastic about it.

 

With a few months to contemplate the execution of this image, I pondered how to infuse a modern touch while preserving its essence. How could I set the table in a way that reflected the changes that have occurred over the past century? The thought of incorporating a cell phone, newspapers, magazines, cereal boxes, TVs, remotes had all crossed my mind, but none of those options felt right.

 

Determined to get this idea done, I scheduled a session, knowing it would force me to tackle the challenge of setting the table.

And then it struck me—perhaps I didn't need to change much at all. The unwavering faith of Christians has withstood the test of time and modernization. For those who believe in God, follow Jesus, and embrace His love, expressing gratitude for the blessings in life remains a timeless tradition. Sitting down at the table to say Grace looks much the same now as it did 105 years ago.

 

The original image depicted a humble peddler who, despite his meager possessions, possessed profound faith. Inspired by this, I adorned the table with a beautiful spring bouquet, an artisan loaf of bread, fruits, cheese, and coffee. I asked Roger and Sue to bring their bibles, and together, we created these contemporary images of Grace and Gratitude. Yesterday, the time had come to unveil these images. Roger and Sue radiated humility, gratitude, and grace, just as I had envisioned.