Life in the field can be hard. Long hours, demanding deadlines, physical exertion, difficult terrain and inclement weather are daily challenges. Add to this the high level of expectations Fenstermaker team members put upon themselves to deliver quality service and top-notch deliverables and you’ve got one tough job description.
In 2017 Fenstermaker began a campaign to give everyone an idea of what our team members encounter in the field. We challenged field crews to capture and submit photos from various project locations so we could see this critical side of our business from their perspective. It was our hope that this campaign would bring much-deserved attention and recognition to our valuable people on the ground.
The first annual field photo contest was a smashing success with great participation. The company-wide contest generated beautiful photography, telling stories of the work our people do and the places they visit. Of course, we are well aware of how great our people are at their full-time jobs, but had no idea they were excellent freelance photographers too.
As we approach the announcement of our 2018 contest, we wanted to take a moment to revisit some photos submitted last year and let you know the stories behind the images. Once again, thanks to all of our field personnel for their hard work and for giving us these amazing views of a world we rarely get to see.
"Lights of the Mist"
by Jeremy Pefferkorn
First Place
Survey Technician Jeremy Pefferkorn shot this captivating image near Morgan Lake in New Mexico. Jeremy and his team were performing a laser scan of the URS 4 Corners Power Plant. Anyone in the business knows, a surveyor’s work often involves early wake-up calls. This early morning view on the way to the project site caught Jeremy’s attention. He was drawn to how the sun was lighting up the ice on the trees and with one shot was able to capture a sense of mystery of what may lie ahead down the roadway and into the cold fog.
"Summer Sunset in New Mexico"
by Jeff Fairbanks
Second Place
This breathtaking photo was taken by Party Chief Jeff Fairbanks in Lea County, New Mexico. After a full day of performing surveys for a pipeline location and pad extension in 100-degree heat, Jeff captured this photo at the end of the job on the way back to civilization. The two-man crew received accolades from the client for performing excellent work in a time-critical situation. As a bonus, Jeff nabbed second place in the photo contest for this amazing shot.
"Pipe Perspective"
by Terrance Roberts
Third Place
Party Chief Terrance Roberts captured some amazing images of work being done on a pipeline project near Carlsbad, New Mexico. The series of photos taken from a surveyor’s perspective gives the viewer the feeling of being on site and shows the progress of the work being done. The image offers a dramatic look at pipeline installation and gives a sense of the enormity of the project.
"Curious Cows in Texas"
by Clint Burney
Honorable Mention
Without a doubt, our field crews have seen their share of cows while out on the job. This curious herd seems pretty concerned about what our crew is up to. Party Chief Clint Burney took this picture on a hot, sunny day near Port Lavaca, TX. The team was on a survey mission to locate two pipelines that were laid across a flooded marsh. Though a challenging task, the crew was able to successfully locate the pipelines to the client’s satisfaction.
About Fenstermaker
Established in 1950, C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, L.L.C. is a highly diversified, multi-disciplinary consulting firm. We specialize in engineering, survey & mapping, environmental consulting & advanced technologies. Louisiana Firm Registration No. VF.0000154. Texas Firm Registration No. 10028500.