Maine industrial photographer |

Behind the scenes at Sappi’s Somerset Mill

*Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, ME for Sappi Global. © Brian Fitzgerald*

Last fall, I collaborated with the marketing team at Sappi North America on Project Elevate—a $418 million upgrade at Maine’s Somerset Mill. They’re overhauling Paper Machine No. 2, expanding its capabilities, all while the mill’s day-to-day operations churn on. Having struggled myself to simultaneously construct my child’s Ikea desk and binge watch TV, I couldn’t help but be deeply impressed by this achievement.

My task was to capture elements of this

massive project over the course of one day. This involved shadowing Sappi N.A.’s president and CEO, Michael Haws, as he toured the bustling construction site. I created environmental portraits of Haws and his team, and photographed him with Sappi workers.

I love creating images in industrial environments like these–while challenging, the opportunities for amazing and dramatic visuals are worth the effort.

Paper Mill — *Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, ME for Sappi Global. © Brian Fitzgerald*

Bring Your Vision: Hammond Lumber

Lumberman

I’m happy to share some of the work I’ve been doing over the past year for the Hammond Lumber Company, based in Belgrade, Maine. This is a sprawling, Maine-wide sawmill and lumber operation involving three generations of the Hammond family.

It’s a busy, hardworking, growing Maine company with a great reputation and deep relationships. That served them well during the pandemic especially, when rising demand, supply chain challenges and other restraints kept them on their toes.

The project encompassed lifestyle photography shoots at multiple locations across the state as well as a short video piece (not yet published) that showcase Hammond’s connection to the state and its customers. Their customer-centric theme of “Bring Your Vision” was a theme through all of the shoots.

Lumber Man

Maine Construction Workers