Ever since I was as a boy growing up in New York State I have loved being outdoors, in the woods, running around and climbing into trees, feeling alive and joyous and free. Decades later, in 2003, as an adult walking in the woods of Marin County, CA, I stumbled upon a massive, sinewy coast live oak tree. At least 250 years old, older than America, I was mesmerized by her massive limbs filling the sky in all directions. I was moved to tears by this giant living creature’s powerful presence.
This ancient tree, which I’ve since taken to calling Grandmother, was calling to me—or I was yearning to connect with her, or both. I felt, beyond rational explanation, how deeply rooted into the earth she was and how somehow I was connected to her. Grandmother inspired me to bring people to her, to photograph them playing in her huge branches, dwarfed by them as if they were children.
And so began The TreeSpirit Project. TreeSpirit has taken on a life of its own since that first photograph, attracting hundreds of participants and, thanks to media attention and the internet, tens of thousands of admirers around the world. Making these photographs, I am thrilled to learn firsthand there so many people alive today who understand the importance of trees—and who just plain love them.
All the people in the photographs are volunteers. Most viewed the collection of TreeSpirit images in an exhibit or on-line and instantly “got it” — and were moved to participate. (Each participant receives a copy of the photograph he or she helps create.)
Although I make TreeSpirit photos because I simply love to do so, I couldn’t be more delighted if the Project helps raise human consciousness, sending ripples out into the pond of humanity, inspiring others to act in their own unique ways on behalf of trees we are interdependent with.
In and around trees, people feel they are a part of something bigger, as we humans do at the ocean or under the night sky. The photographs sometimes seem to be an excuse to simply play or have an adventure in nature. Some people spontaneously climb or dance or swing in a tree. Afterwards, some share stories of how they found sanctuary under or in one special tree earlier in their lives. I’ve learned over the years that the experiences we have making the photographs are as important, perhaps more important, than the photographs themselves.
I’m grateful I’ve found a way to share my lifelong passion for being under a canopy of trees, and the sky, feeling peaceful and whole.
A larger purpose has emerged from this work-play, with social, spiritual, and environmental elements. It is the mission of The TreeSpirit Project:
To raise money for existing nonprofit environmental organizations that value and promote tree planting and protect green space within and outside our cities.*
Although the making of each TreeSpirit image is a unique and unpredictable experience, being among trees and feeling connected to them is an ancient, reliable alchemy; humans and trees have been interdependent for thousands of years and still are. In practical, scientific terms, we need them to survive as a species.
I believe as more people understand the importance of trees for all they provide the ecosystem in addition to beauty and shade, all species on Earth benefit. The fates of species are intertwined; we have the power to destroy other life forms, and without other life forms humanity will perish.
We humans may only be here for a brief stay in the cosmic picture, but we have the tremendous power of free will to shape our world. Many of us in technologically advanced cultures have forgotten the ancient wisdom trees and other life forms patiently hold. Among them are the simple, profound feelings of wonder of being alive. If we cherish Earth’s myriad living organisms, even perceive all life as one organism we are a part of, we can alleviate tremendous and needless suffering, rekindling in our hearts a reverence for the interconnectedness of all living creatures and the feelings of joy and wonder this realization brings.
Go out among trees, even hug one, and share with others what you feel.
-Jack Gescheidt, TreeSpirit Project founder and photographer, May 2007
*Continuing my decades long support of environmental nonprofit organizations, 10% of the sales of TreeSpirit images goes to environmental organizations (like Friends of the Urban Forest) that share TreeSpirit’s mission to preserve trees and green space inside and outside our cities.
For more information or to answer questions about participating, purchasing prints, exhibitions or other inquiries, email Jack at: jack@treespiritproject.com.
I began The TreeSpirit Project in 2003. It is the name for both the collection of photographs of humans communing with trees and, equally important, the collection of hundreds of experiences participants have making them.
What gave you the idea or inspiration? I was inspired by one remarkable coast live oak tree, over 250 years old, in the woods of Marin County in 2003. For a longer account, read about.
Why trees? I have always loved being anywhere outside in nature, but the inspiration for these photographs came from an oak tree. So it feels right to stay focused on trees. The more attention I give trees, the more I see in them and the more I feel in their presence. (I believe this is how attention works; what I give attention to expands.) Although any aspect of nature can inspire me "by one definition nature is everything" right now trees are it for me.
Why are the people always naked? (Isn’t this really just to get attention?) Many other reasons for the nudity came first, before I knew TreeSpirit would get any attention.
When naked, people are:
Do the people climb the trees naked, or climb and then undress? This varies, depending upon the tree, the climber, the air temperature and the duration of the shoot. If it’s warm and the tree is smooth-barked or easy to climb "walk-in" or "walk-up" tree—a participant might enjoy being clothing—free the entire shoot. If it’s cold or the tree is abrasive or requires strenuous climbing, then clothing can be kept on until we’re ready to shoot. In urban settings or in the cold, we typically do a "dressed rehearsal" first.
How long does a typical photo take to make? This varies tremendously based on the location, air temperature and the number of participants, from 15 minutes for one shoot in a cold wind to 5 hours when a 10-mile r/t hike was required. Some photos are made languorously in remote private settings; others are made with the seemingly inevitable tension an urban setting and press attention create. See the participate page for more information if you’re interested in the adventure of participating.
How do you find your trees? At first I found trees where I live in the San Francisco Bay area. Now, the many friends of TreeSpirit tell me about specific trees in the U.S. and abroad. The explosive popularity of the internet and digital point and shoot cameras make tree-finding and photographic location scouting easier than ever before.
How do you find your participants? And why don’t you call them models? They find me, seeing TreeSpirit in the news, on the web, or by word of mouth. Then they view the large collection of photographs on the website, realize it’s adventurous but safe, artful, for an environmental purpose, and they want to join in.
I use the term participant because they are all volunteers, not paid models. Hundreds have enjoyed the experience of making a TreeSpirit photograph. Each receives a copy of the photograph he or she is in. Models who pose professionally are welcome, but most TreeSpirit participants are ordinary people who come for the fun of it, some bravely posing nude for the first time ever.
How do you choreograph the photos? Do you tell the participants what to do? Although I usually have at least one idea of what I want to do, I also receive creative input from the participants who are usually having a great time. Although I often guide people, or make subtle adjustments from my camera position, I consider the process collaborative. This is how serendipity, synchronicity, unexpected magic—call it what you will—happens.
This is another objective of TreeSpirit: to encourage people to play in nature, something we all do instinctively as children.
Do you require a certain body type, or good physical conditioning, or modeling experience? With rare exception, no. I welcome and appreciate all sizes, shapes, ages, color and physical ability of bodies. My only real requirement is that you love trees and have a desire to participate.
Look carefully at the group photos in particular and you’ll find many bodies that aren’t particularly muscular or curvaceous, two common associations with beauty, especially in American culture. I find all people beautiful when they are emotionally connected to the trees—and in the joy of life in the moment. This is what moves me to remark, "How beautiful!" And of course muscular and curvaceous bodies of both genders are beautiful too! I enjoy celebrating the human body and the human spirit in relation to nature in all conceivable varieties.
Do you have to be able to climb a tree to participate? Sometimes, but not as a rule. I let people know in advance of a particular photo gathering whether they will need to climb, how strenuous the climbing will be, whether a site is wheelchair accessible, and so on. Each photo and site is unique.
How long will you continue making TreeSpirit photographs? I don’t know. But my guess is, like artists in any medium, I’ll simply lose the inspiration or be inspired to move on to something else.
Have you ever been arrested? Do you get permission in advance? I’ve not been arrested, nor ticketed so far, although police have arrived on the scene more than once.
Asking permission or requesting permits is a delicate and complex issue. I often decide it’s wisest to play by the rules. Other times I may decide to challenge a local ordinance against unauthorized public assembly or public nudity. In these situations I do no physical harm to trees or people or property and consider the respectful, nonviolent practices of two of my heroes, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi, as beacons for my behavior.
I see TreeSpirit photographs are mostly Black & White, but that you use color too. How do you choose? Which do you prefer? I love B/W photography and was taught it first by my parents, Rae Russel and Alfred Gescheidt, themselves both professional photographers. They also enjoy, as do I, color photography. I use both and consider them different, powerful tools to work and play with. If I want to emphasize line and form and shape, as with the image "Granddaughter", I may choose Black & White. If the color of a scene feels especially powerful, I may choose color, as in the photograph "Hilltop Worship".
Is there a TreeSpirit book or video? Filmmaker Tamara Gurbis began shooting video coverage of some of the photo shoots in 2006, for a future "The Making of the TreeSpirit Project" documentary. Coverage is ongoing. Contact Jack with investor inquiries.
A book of the photographs, and the story behind their making, is likely but not yet in production. Publisher or agent inquiries are welcome.
How do you pay for TreeSpirit? Who is financing The TreeSpirit Project? TreeSpirit time, travel and photographic expenses are paid for with my other professional photography income, with the generous help of friends and supporters who believe in the Project, and from sales of TreeSpirit fine art prints from the website gallery, conventional art galleries, and items like posters and calendars in the website’s store.
Do you donate any money to charity or environmental causes? Yes. 10% of fine art print and poster sales goes to a partner nonprofit environmental organizations who link to the TreeSpirit website. I want to help some of the incredible existing organizations that care for mature trees in cities and wilderness and plant new trees too. (One early supporter of The TreeSpirit Project is Friends of the Urban Forest in San Francisco.)
What exactly is The TreeSpirit Project? Who are you? How long have you been a photographer? How long have you been doing this? I’m Jack Gescheidt, a professional photographer since 1987, born and raised in and around New York City, living in San Francisco since 1996. I’ve made my living with a variety of subjects including sports, people (portraits), events, weddings and animals (see jackphoto.com).
It has been and continues to be a challenging, exhilarating and moving learning process for me.
I also offer a "reward": anyone who finds a tree I end up photographing receives a fine art print from that shoot as a thank you.
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