About the Project
About Brian Peterson
Photographer Brian Peterson was born in Duluth, Minnesota, and has enjoyed a career that allows him to pursue stories he cares most about in his home state and around the world. He's best known for his work since 1987 for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, but his photographs have also been seen in National Geographic and Sports Illustrated magaines, the New York Times and on ESPN.
Brian has been recognized nationally and internationally for his documentary photojournalism, and has been honored nine times as Minnesota Press Photographer of the Year. He has photographed the Winter and Summer Olympic Games five times and his sports photography has been honored by the National Baseball and Football Halls of Fame and the National Press Photographers Association.
Peterson's first book, "Voices for the Land", was published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press won three Minnesota Book Awards.
About Kerri Westenberg
Kerri Westenberg has been travel editor at the Star Tribune since 2004. She began her career at National Geographic and later was an editor at Cooking Light and Bon Appetit. Her writing has appeared in National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, Real Simple and other national publications. She has won numerous travel writing awards and under her direction, the Star Tribune Travel section has been recognized as one of the top three in its circulation category for the past three years by the Society of American Travel Writers.. In 2013, that organization named Kerri one of three Travel Journalist of the Year. She grew up in Farmington, Minnesota.
About the Project
Brian Peterson and Kerri Westenberg, both native Minnesotans, share a deep affection for their homeland. That sensibility underlies every aspect of the "State or Wonders" project, which began as a series in the Travel section of the Star Tribune.
As Travel Editor, Kerri had been looking for a focused way to celebrate the abundance and diversity of the state's natural beauty. As a staff photographer with a penchant for adventure, Brian was also eager to explore every corner of the state and capture the unique landscapes and seasonal shifts that make Minnesota so special. The two teamed up to create these surprising, poignant views of the state.
Through their visions, springtime awakes in the northwest with prairie chicken dances and unfurling, delicate plants. Tallgrass prairies and historic American Indian lands trumpet the full glory of summer. Autumn colors dazzle the Mississippi River Valley, and winter in the Arrowhead region holds both harsh cold and exquisite beauty. Collectively, their work illuminates Minnesota's natural glories.