Prairie House X Photography
This past weekend I was extended an invite to participate in Prairie House’s first Photography meet up. Myself and a dozen other photographers met at 6:30 AM, as the sun was barely reaching the horizon. We gathered around a small fire outside and met each other. Then, after a few words we were off! I brought along Taylor Bruggenjohann to model for me as I had seen previous editorial sets using the inside materials and window light to create stunning work. I was excited to get my hand on it.
The Prairie House, or Greene Home as it was formerly known, was built by OU Architect Professor Herb Greene. One of the leading voices in organic architecture, the Prairie House was designed to embody the prairie landscape surrounding Norman, Oklahoma. Rolling hills, big blue skies, wind and sunlight. The elements of the prairie scape were inspirations for Herb Greene’s design.
Herb Greene followed in the footsteps of Bob Goff and Frank Lloyd Wright. And having shot a wedding at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, designed by FLW, I noticed quite a few similarities. As a photographer, it’s easy to notice the attention to lighting through the windows. The unique angles of the Prairie House’s walls and windows create streams of lighting that felt ethereal. It was beautiful to observe and amazing to work with behind the camera. You can see some of those light streams in the portraits I took with Taylor.
The building is in new hands and I was fortunate to meet with one of the owners and the new creative director for Prairie House. They’re beginning to use this building and the surrounding space as a facility for art, culture, and community. So far they’ve hosted amazing concert series in the Prairie House - something truly incredible having experienced how sound moves throughout the oval shaped building. I look forward to attending their next one. They’ve also hosted a dinging experience with world renown local restaurant Nonesuch. And the OU Architecture program is involved with the property in maintaining it, as well as building tiny homes which are planned to be used to host artists and tourists on the property.
The Prairie House like I mentioned draws much inspiration from the prairie landscape surrounding its location. As someone who loves my state’s landscapes and the diversity of its several biomes, it was fun stepping outside the building and using those same vistas and details in the plant species calling the property home with some environmental portraits.
Huge thank you again to Prairie House for inviting me to attend such an amazing experience. I loved the photos I was able to take as well as hear more about the story of Prairie House. I’m continually inspired by what I discover in my home state - and hearing the plans people have for it moving forward makes me thankful to have planted roots here.
Sculptor piece by Bill Low, a Scottish artist and WWI veteran who turned to art - represented by Anonyma.