Early in 2020, before the world slowed and shuttered, photographer Markku Lahdesmaki headed to the wide-open spaces of Montana on assignment for Ariat Western wear.
Along with Michael Furlong and the creative team at SLAP, he spent a week in and around Butte and Browning, Montana capturing beautiful images of ranchers going about the relentless work (in their Ariat gear) caring for animals within the vast, rugged landscape. During his time there, he developed the gift of perspective and a deep respect for the close, multi-generational families lucky enough to work against the backdrop of some of the most beautiful terrain in the western United States.
As Markku says, “It is what I love most about my life as a photographer; I get to wander and find.”
