When Barbara O’Brien was just 22 years old, she knew office jobs weren’t for her. Instead, she built a career around her true passion—working with animals. Starting in 1987 with animal actors in Minneapolis, she quickly became a trusted partner in the advertising hub of the Midwest. Over the years, Barbara worked with major brands like Cargill, Target, Purina, and Iams, helping bring their campaigns to life with emotive animal photography. 

By 2002, Barbara and her husband Kevin moved to a farm in Maiden Rock Township. Six years later, as the 2008 economic downturn reshaped industries, Barbara turned her attention to full-time photography. Having spent years on sets with photographers, she knew what made great images. Pairing that experience with her deep understanding of animals, Barbara launched Barbara O’Brien Photography, blending technical expertise with empathy for her four-legged subjects. 

A Studio Built on Vision and Passion 

Fast-forward to today, Barbara’s dream has grown into much more than photography. Together with Kevin, she now operates a thriving animal photography business from their farm, featuring a brand-new on-site studio supported by a loan from Pillar Bank. The new space—built alongside an indoor horse arena—allows Barbara to not only photograph but also host auditions. 

The couple’s Foundation Morgan horses, sheep, chicken, cats, and dogs all play a role in creating a healing and inspiring environment. Barbara envisions the farm as a sober and peaceful place where people can connect with animals for growth, therapy, or simply joy. “We knew we had to share the farm with people,” she says. “God will send them.” 

A Local Bank That Believes in Big Ideas 

Barbara and Kevin credit Pillar Bank with helping them take their business to the next level. “Wells Fargo isn’t going to care about me. They just aren’t,” Barbara explains. “Even when we didn’t have much money, the Bank treated us like we were special and important.” 

Read more about Barbara’s vision  

Rick Theune, Director of Business Development at Pillar Bank, was instrumental in guiding them through the lending process. “Rick helped us understand things like lien waivers and gave us business advice that kept us from running into heartache. If you’ve got big ideas, Pillar listens. They’re a local bank that really knows its customer base.” 

Beyond Photography – Sharing the Gift of Animals 

Barbara’s creativity doesn’t stop behind the camera. She’s the author of DogFace (2014), a collection of portraits celebrating the charm and soul of dogs. She also hosts The Empathetic Trainer podcast and video channel, helping audiences deepen their understanding of animals and foster stronger bonds. 

Now, with the new studio, Barbara and Kevin are looking for partners with local groups interested in animal-assisted healing and therapy. Their vision is clear: to use photography, training, and the peaceful farm environment to share the gift of animals with others. 

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