We had the good fortune of connecting with Ethan Pole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ethan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Absolutely! Risk has kinda just been there the whole time I guess. I think it’s given me an edge sometimes at least in areas that have made me grow. I always gauge the ‘Squeeze versus the Juice’ quotient – if the potential gains outweigh the costs, then not taking the risk becomes the risk itself! Of course, being wise to the situation is key, but being rooted in my Catholic faith, I seek guidance through prayer and my wife Auny and that tends to keep me on the right risk levels. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been fortunate in that regard with great working partners over the years. I find it kinda of funny that I never found art, Art found me. It wasn’t a predetermined path in my professional career, but rather a discovery. Growing up, I didn’t have art as a focal point, but I always held an innate appreciation for it. It was when I started dating my now-wife, who urged me to take her camera on my fly fishing escapades out West, that everything changed. I guess through the lens, I found a new way to express how I perceived the world. It really was a breath of fresh air for me and I kinda just ran with it and the the work has followed.

I have been self-taught from the ground up  – I guess I would say I have embraced a philosophy of breaking rules while staying grounded in the fundamentals of photography and film. I was a photographer first that morphed into film/video, but I like them both the same. The journey to where I stand today professionally wasn’t a walk in the park though. It required lots of relentless dedication, countless late nights, and a total commitment to the craft, but I loved doing it. I have had to let go of a lot of key moments and have had road blocks along the way, from lost partnerships, to new experiences and also taking a lot of risk to be where I am at today. It has not been a pretty path, but I have no regrets. God has shown me things, I would have never seen if I did not go through the hard stuff and it’s made me better. So I guess it’s best to “embrace the suck” as they say.

The key lesson I’ve learned along the way? There’s no substitute for constant learning and relentless action. My ultimate goal is for my art to transcend mere visuals; I want it to touch people’s hearts, stir their souls, and ignite their minds. God willing, my brand is more than just a collection of images and videos I hope in the end.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Fantastic question! If my best friend were visiting, we’d kick off the good times right here in Decorah, Iowa. For sure we would do some fly fishing in the limestone spring creeks that define our region. Probably, we would set up camp somewhere, or just hang in my backyard sharing stories over a crackling campfires, and more than likely fine whisky, and cigars.

As for dining out or exploring, our little community boasts some gems, from sampling craft brews at Toppling Goliath Brewery to venturing into the mystical Ice Cave and maybe exploring to ancient history at Effigy Mounds I guess. For sure we would, soak in the of the Mississippi River Bluffs and maybe go on a kayaking excursion along the scenic Upper Iowa.

Decorah may be nestled in the heart of Iowa, but its landscape is nothing like the rest of Iowa, it has wild beauty of the West I say, right here in the Midwest. It’s a hidden gem.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Lord and Savior first  and my wife second, who has been my bigest fan (who also is a photographer). Her opinions of my work keep me going and have really pushed me over the years.

Website: ethanpolemedia.com

Instagram: ethan.pole.media

Image Credits
All Credits of Photos are to Ethan Pole

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