Red Wing Shoe Company //

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This past winter, I had a dream-photo-assignment come thru my inbox. The story was all about Red Wing Shoe Company and my job was to document the process. So, on one cold, polar vortex morning, I loaded up my Volvo with the rest of the crew on this project - Steve Marsh, the writer, Drew Wood, the Digital Editor from MSP Magazine, and my intern, Liam. We all trekked on the icy roads down to Red Wing, Minnesota and began the fascinating tour, guided by Japanese designer, Akinobu Iwasaki. Hell, we even brought along the Capture Film Co. dudes to create a video for this project that you should most definitely check out! I was interested in this assignment for many reasons, but being able to see the actual process of how these boots are made, blew me out of the water.  From the tannery to the factory, well over 100 hands touch each boot before they are ready to be shipped. Now, I know that the Heritage brand has been pretty trendy these past few years among the hipsters, but Red Wing really is so much more than that. What I took away the most was the sense of pride that each worker has, working for the Red Wing Shoe Company. It was quite inspiring. Below are some of my favorite environmental portraits from our time at the company and you can read the full story here! As a body of work, these are images that I am really proud of, and I hope you enjoy!

 

Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.    Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.    Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson. Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.   Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.  Red Wing Shoe Company, photographed by Eliesa Johnson.