Kern Photo

Name: Kern Photo
Address: Minneapolis, MN, 55410, US
Telephone: +13034740983

Photographer in Minneapolis R. J. Kern is an American artist whose work explores ideas of home, ancestry, and the sense of place.

He uses the photographic medium in multiple formats, utilizing both natural and artificial light to document the interaction of people, animals, and cultural landscapes. In May 2017, Corey Keller, Curator of Photography at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, selected Kern's project "The Unchosen Ones" as her Curator's Choice Award from CENTER. Later this year a portfolio of his work will be fe

atured in the November 2017 issue of National Geographic. Kern's work received critical acclaim through the 2017 Review Santa Fe and his work is apart of the public exhibition series, The FENCE, produced by United Photo Industries in both 2016 and 2017. Kern was the recipient of a 2016 Artist Initiative Grant awarded by the Minnesota State Arts Board. He lives and works in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

09/03/2026

Today surprised me. I did something I didn’t think possible. After a couple of weeks off from lifting heavy due to travel, family time, and routine of getting kids back to school I wasn’t certain of my strength percentage as it relates to a 1 RM. Turns out strength and skill is slow to fade. If anything, an appreciable gain felt. Upper threshold cardio, not as much. However, time off however allowed joints to heal. I “got” to make 25k steps in nature (see image 2 thanks to reconnect with ), lifting rocks and using my hunter mobility to photography sheep and eating rather clean which builds a different kind of resilience. And moving lots of rocks instead of sand bags (video 3)The farmer’s carry this week I joked to myself was the one movement I didn’t train for but improved big time with everyday activity due to carrying heavy equipment required for creating photographic work in the field (see image 2).

Three rep complex a nice little challenge: find a heavy complex of 1 rep squat clean + hang squat clean + front squat. This was the first time I did this much (300lb). Winner winner Thai food dinner :)

08/26/2026

My first post since returning from abroad. Feels good to be back to a routine. I created more clicks on this trip than any previous one. While I usually let the work simmer on the back burner for a few months so I can return with fresh eyes to edit, I did want to share my gratitude for the friends I met along the way and the valuable time my wife gave me to focus on creating new work. Returning to early project roots was just the thing for me. While things change, many things don’t. The weather, the light, the people, the challenge of keeping batteries charged, the annoyance of baaaaaaa at 5am.. all the same.

My first monograph “The Sheep and the Goats” Kehrer Verlag took 12 principle days of photography spreas across five years... 12 actual days shooting. Those efforts became a book. With more experience and better tools, I feel I was able to stride forward with the second chapter of this long-term project in 10 days. However knowing the costs and time to produce a book, I’m apprehensive for doing another book in the same vein. Perhaps a portfolio of work and exhibition will be a goal. I’ll let time tell. But I will say I love f/9 shooting with a high horizon line.

08/16/2026

Tullow Fair, Ireland.

1. Timelapse: portrait of Kevin Harney (age 28), 25 years working with sheep. This year 7 sheep, five prizes including a Champion Jacob Sheep.

2. Luca, Alex, and Oisín (all age 7) with their black face Valais sheep (eek!).

3. Behind the scenes. My snowboard back made it easier to shelp gear solo.

4. Radio interview with KCLR radio host Martin Bridgeman

5. The Glyn Egan a nice guy and one of the first people I met.

6. Judging sheep

Thank you Tullow Agricultural Show for rolling out the red carpet for me.

08/15/2026

Jude (age 12) bought Sonny the “Fella Bella” breed with her own confirmation money for €500. It’s the first horse for her and her mother. I witnessed the moment from afar in the early morning the one of the oldest fairs in Ireland, the Kenmare Fair (a ons-day event).

I didn’t know what to expect. Animals at Irish agricultural fairs are a fraction of what they used to be. Cattle and horses used to be driven down the streets in masses. They were working animals that helped with the crops. Now, there are more empty stalls replaced by vendors selling T-shirts and used power tools. And pints of Guiness on draft

Yet the connection to youth and animals I see as universal magnets.

My Irish photo brother Eoghan Kavanagh helped me create some good work today as my Irish voice-activated light stand holder. Amazing experience money couldn’t buy. I’m thankful for this experience. The images will be marinating for a few weeks at the least… good things come with time.

08/14/2026

In 1998, I was backpacking in New Zealand, five days into a solo wilderness trek without seeing another person.

When I finally emerged and stuck out my thumb, an English gentleman in a brand-new black sports car stopped. The car was so new that when he offered to put my pack in the back, he accidentally opened the engine compartment. We both laughed.

He took me to dinner, paid for the entire meal, and listened to my stories. I was deeply grateful.

For nearly 30 years, I’ve carried that kindness with me, waiting for the chance to pay it forward.

That moment finally came.

I was photographing evening light along a rural road in Scotland when a motorcyclist passed, then turned around and came back to see what I was doing. His name: Callum JAMES | PHOTOGRAPHER | EXPLORER.

I was headed to St Andrews to photograph the birthplace of golf. He knew the area and offered to show me the best spots for the fading light. We quickly discovered a shared love of photography.

I stuck my iPhone out the window to film the drive. The wind promptly took it and sent it flying into a field. I thought it was gone. A few minutes later, he found it.

Another kindness.

After getting the shot, I said, “Let’s go get some good food.”

And we did.

Thirty years later, I finally got to pay it forward.

Sometimes kindness takes its time finding its way back around.

08/13/2026

Mario cart meets sheep in my happy Irish place. Currently working on my patience and sense of humor. I’m a nut. Thank you to Stephen Browne for being my voice-activated light stand holder and Sheppard. This is the way.

08/11/2026

Three nights car camping earned me a Michelin-star rated meal on in Scotland. I’ve managed to stay off beaten paths, knocking on doors and making new friends and experiences with farmers to help me create photographic work for the next chapter of my project . So far the only mishap: wind took down a strobe head and busted the flash tube. Ut the Scottish highland herd didn’t mind. I almost didn’t pack a second and know I’m glad I did. I brought along my first monograph by Kehrer Verlag to show farmers what I was interested in… and proved to be one of the best tools I could have imagined to earn trust and spend time with their champion animals up close. I even had a barn kitty jump under my sleeping cot in the car and want to join me.

08/06/2026

Ellie Mesker, Grand Champion for Donkey Racing, 2026 Rock County Fair.

Rock County 4-H Fair

08/02/2026

Olivia (age 5) and Dottie, dressed as Grannies, Pine County Fair, Minnesota, 2026

07/24/2026

I’m still walking on clouds after a glorious evening Veronique Wantz Gallery gallery with Frank Lopez . Thank you friends for joining us. And thank you to the entire staff for making the event feel special. I’d do it all over again and wouldn’t change a single thing.

Framed works still available directly on the website including Magnetic:Fields artist book.

Address

Minneapolis, MN
55410

Telephone

+13034740983

Website

http://www.kern-photo.com/

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