Feature: Jay Kerr

A landscape photographer with an affinity for wood stoves? Be still, our beating hearts.

It was a good day when Jay Kerr popped onto our radar, posting a picture to Facebook of a gorgeous Scandinavian stove with an original Ecofan atop it. To say we felt we should be in touch with him is an understatement. We had to know more about Jay, his photography, and his life on Lake Superior. Of course we also had to see if we might use his talent to capture the new Ecofan AirDeco in his stunning space, atop that stunning wood stove.

Jay was kind enough to answer our questions below. To see his other fantastic work, visit his site here, but earmark some time, it’s a wormhole of beautiful images deserving of some lazy browsing. And look out for new images of AirDeco courtesy of our new favourite partnership!  

Where are you right now? If you could, tell us about the home your Ecofan is in and the surrounding area.

I’m on the eastern shore of Lake Superior just north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. My wife and I have a modern prefab cabin with beautiful views of the lake. It’s a simple structure with a shed roof, Douglas fir beams, and white pine ceiling. The style was inspired by the modern structures we saw while visiting Iceland.

We are surrounded by forest and a rocky shoreline. It’s peaceful and very quiet which is great for catching a glimpse of the local wildlife. Whether walking through the forest, or silently taking in a sunset, you are enveloped in nature. It’s a place to let go of stress, relax, and be in the present.

Tell us about yourself. Why’d you choose your lifestyle? Why is it important to live a life that includes heating with wood? 

I spent many summers hiking and camping around Superior. As a landscape photographer, I fell in love with this part of Northern Ontario for its scenic coastlines, inland lakes, and forests.

When I was growing up, our family had a Franklin woodstove in the basement. I loved sitting by the fire and reading a book. For 25 years I’ve wanted a cabin in the woods with a wood stove to enjoy. We have an endless supply of wood on our lot. I love the ritual of chopping wood, stacking it, and building a fire.

Tell us about your wood stove. How long have you had it and how often do you use it? 

My woodstove is a Morsø 6148 from Denmark. I love Scandinavian design for its modern style and minimalism. The 6148 has beautiful curves and a large glass door that sits on a cast-iron pedestal. Not only does it look great, but it also burns cleanly with very low emissions.

The stove was purchased before construction on the cabin even started. It’s a centrepiece, framed against a large window that competes for a view of the lake. In the winter it gets used every day to take the chill off. Throughout the rest of the year, it’s used on cooler days for added warmth and coziness.

How did you learn about Ecofan? Which Ecofan model do you have? How’s it working out for you? 

Several of our friends have Ecofans and told us that we had to get one for our woodstove. I found an Ecofan Original at a local hardware and liked it so much that we picked up an AirDeco model. They are whisper-quiet and work incredibly well.

I also love the all-black design which looks great and fits perfectly on the Morsø stovetop. When I found out they were made in Ontario I was even more impressed and happy to be supporting a local business.

It’s a weird time for the world. How have you been affected personally or how has your lifestyle changed recently?

The global pandemic has made life difficult for many people but it has also created some positive changes. Remote working is more accepted in many industries now. When I’m not working on my photography, I’m a marketing director in Toronto, commuting to work on most days. A satellite internet connection at our cabin means I can work remotely for weeks at a time.

I like the city and everything it offers but I love being on Lake Superior, even more. Nothing beats the solitude of Northern Ontario. The only thing better is sitting in front of a wood stove, enjoying a good book, with a view of the lake.

You can also follow Jay Kerr on Instagram at @jaykerrphoto.