I have known Lou Hafermehl for 17 years now. We met on a golf course when the clubhouse paired us up for a round together. He has been like a father figure to me. About 18 months ago he took on the challenge of making his own wooden row boat, by hand. He spent hundreds and hundreds of hours assembling this boat, many of which were in my back warehouse during the long winter. I told him from the start, as soon as it is finished, I want to shoot you and your boat in wet plate, and today was the day. We went out to McDowell Dam just East of Bismarck and after taking laps around the lake took some plates. How I adore this gentleman.  The name of his boat is "Eyes of Lila" named after a plant that he saw in India years ago. 
 

The State Historical Society of North Dakota will be accepting this original glass plate into their permanent archive.  What an honor. 
 

"An Early Morning Row" with Lou HafermehlMcDowell Dam, Bismarck, ND
 

Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio of Shane BalkowitschBehind the scene images of the shooting of "An Early Morning Row" at McDowell Dam, Bismarck, ND August 29th, 2015 Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio of Shane BalkowitschBehind the scene images of the shooting of "An Early Morning Row" at McDowell Dam, Bismarck, ND August 29th, 2015 Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio of Shane BalkowitschBehind the scene images of the shooting of "An Early Morning Row" at McDowell Dam, Bismarck, ND August 29th, 2015 Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio of Shane BalkowitschBehind the scene images of the shooting of "An Early Morning Row" at McDowell Dam, Bismarck, ND August 29th, 2015