One of the things about shooting stock photography – you never know where an image might show up. Most recently I discovered my image on the cover of a novel titled Poverty Castle by Robin Jenkins. I can’t say whether the book is any good or not but I like the cover!  The photo is available at Getty Images

The original shot is Below. It was photographed on a trip to Kansas City from Omaha. We pulled of the highway to explore a wildlife refuge and we passed this abandoned house (actually I think it was a hotel). My wife/producer/model, grabbed her red coat and travel bag and we hopped out of our van. With the overcast skies I didn’t need any supplemental light or reflectors. We joked that the image would be used on some Oprah book club selection- well we were close – unfortunately for the author, no Oprah book club. It was also used for a French theater production called “Des couteaux dans les poules” which roughly translated means “Knives in chickens”. A quote about the play:

“It’s the story of a transformation. That of a young peasant, once in the Scottish countryside. A Scotland of another time when life on earth and work are the only reality, where the farmer sincerely loves his wife as his land and his horses.”

Wait a minute! Something seems strange here. Here’s a description of the book Poverty Castle:

“Poverty Castle is an absorbing work of contrasts and subtle irony centered around an idealistic family in Argyll (Scotland). A compelling novel, it deals with human nature, as always with Jenkins, and the socialism of industrial Glasgow (Scotland).”

I had no idea Nebraska looked so much like Scotland! Could there be some sort of connection? We have a few golf courses around here, but no single malt distilleries… just a bizarre coincidence I’m sure.

Filed under: Editorial, Photography, Book Cover, Getty, Photography, published