Success on Paper - Jeffrey Stoner, Photographer

Welcome to Success on Paper, our series highlighting businesses from around the country with at least one thing in common: Red River Paper. From architectural firms to printing retailers, companies that depend on impeccable paper quality and creative customer service are relying on RRP to help them present their work in beautiful, compelling ways.

Next up in the series: Photographer Jeffrey Stoner.

Patience and Aplomb

“Laughing Goat” sounds like the name of a cheeky beer brand. But in this case it describes the look of pure joy on the face of a real live goat. (Scroll to see.) That blissful demeanor was captured by Jeffrey Stoner, a photographer based in the Southeast, who is known for his “Goats of Roan” series as well as steam locomotive imagery. It’s his patience and composure that allow animals to become comfortable around him. Patience — before sunrise and after sunset — also helps Jeffrey secure dramatic photographs of trains.

Enter Red River Paper

Before Jeffrey embraced photography full time, he was an executive in both the transportation and healthcare industries. That business background gives him a professionalism with gallery owners, which he says opens the door to more opportunities. In creating his prints, Jeffrey uses Red River Paper’s 75lb. Arctic Polar Luster. “The consistency of your product is such that I know the print will be of excellent quality,” Jeffrey tells us. We’re thrilled to be part of his business acumen, which of course gets passed along to his customers.

“Who knew goats could bring so much joy?” asks Angela, one of Jeffrey’s patrons in a note of appreciation. “Every time I look at those goats it makes me smile, and who couldn’t use a smile these days. You really captured something special.”

See More of Jeffrey’s Work

For charming and informative descriptions of his goat and train subjects, see Jeffrey’s Instagram feed. His website features the Goats of Roan series, other animals, and landscapes from locales in the Southeast and Pennsylvania. You’ll also find books showcasing his photography, including “Natural History,” “Current: Essays on the Passing of Time in the Woods,” and his latest published work, “Taproots of Tennessee.” Jeffrey is represented by galleries in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

To learn more about the “Baa-tany Goat Project” that inspired Jeffrey’s Goats of Roan series, read our Q&A below.

Enjoy our Q&A with Photographer Jeffrey Stoner…

What year was your business founded and how did you get started?
I had a lifelong passion for photography, but only began selling my images in 2004 after a gallery in Pennsylvania asked to show my work. I expanded my gallery presence in Pennsylvania and then in 2007 my wife and I made the decision to move to the Southeast.

I am especially known for my Goats of Roan and Steam Locomotive images. My images have been featured in international, national, and regional publications. 

My latest book, “Taproots of Tennessee,” was published in 2019 by the University of Tennessee Press and illustrates stories about Tennessee state-owned historic sites. In 2016, my images were featured in a book of poetry by K.S. Hardy titled “Natural History.” In 2013, Shanti Arts published “Current: Essays on the Passing of Time in the Woods” in which 55 of my images illustrate the short stories of Robert McGowan. 

I am represented by galleries in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. I speak to groups throughout the Southeast on topics including The History of Train Photography, The Fine Art of Photography, Groundbreaking Women Photographers, Infrared: the Invisible Light, and The Camera: Technology and Art.

What makes your business unique?
I believe that my patience allows me to spend the time with animals and as they become comfortable with my presence, I can make more intimate images. The same applies to train photography. I am willing to make images before dawn and after sunset and take the time to capture an image that brings the viewer into the scene with me.

Where do you source your raw materials from?
My paper is from Red River. My current favorite Red River paper is 75lb. Arctic Polar Luster. Backing foam core and sleeves are from Clear Bags. Prints on metal and canvas are from Bay Photo and Pro Prints.

In what ways does the business reflect your own personality?
Before becoming a full-time photographer, I worked as a business executive in transportation and in healthcare. I believe my business background helps me better interact with gallery owners, which in turn opens additional opportunities for me. As mentioned previously, I have patience and also a calm demeanor which helps in both the making of images and interacting with customers.

Who are your typical customers?
My images of animals and trains connect with both young and old. If there is anything typical it would be lovers of animals, art, and trains.

What is the most interesting project you've encountered in the course of your work?
The Baa-tany Goat Project. My Goats of Roan series began with the Baa-tany Goat Project. The goats spent summers alongside the Appalachian Trail on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, grazing on the balds of the Roan Mountain Highlands at elevations of 5,700 - 5,800 feet. The project was to determine if the goats could control the invasive plant species that were encroaching on the native plants. The rest of the year the goats lived on their farm in beautiful Shady Valley, Tennessee, where I also photographed them — and continue to do so. The Project came to an end in 2016 and the project's scientific papers were prepared.

What has Red River Paper done for your business? Is there a particular challenge Red River Paper has helped you overcome or a goal they helped you meet?
No particular challenge. But the consistency of your product is such that I know the print will be of excellent quality.

All artwork and/or photographs used in this post are subject to copyright held by the featured artist.

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Last updated August 24, 2023

Original Publication Date: August 28, 2023

Article Last updated: October 16, 2023