Edward Gutierrez

Edward Gutierrez —
“In the Company
of Bees”

Edward Gutierrez’s project profiles Brian Spicer, owner of Spicer Bees in Whitefield, Maine, documenting his life as a beekeeper and his deep connection to the land through the care of his hives.

Bees consume honey when exposed to smoke as a survival trigger in Whitefield, Maine, August 21, 2025. Honey bees have a natural trigger response to smoke that turns their focus to honey consumption, allowing the beekeeper to tend to the hive with little resistance.
Brian inspect his collection of Magic the Gathering cards in Whitefield, Maine, August 21, 2025. Being a fan of fantasy, Brian collects Magic the Gathering playing cards to strategically build decks.
Brian purchased and the property his workshop is located in Whitefield, Maine, August 19, 2025. Equipped with all the tools of the trade, he can offer a multitude of services to clients of all levels of experience.
A feeding frenzy triggered by exposed honey in Whitefield, Maine, August 21, 2025. Unfazed by the by growing swarm, Brian stands amongst several thousand bees.
Brian and his mother, Charlene, appreciate a photograph of a frozen pond in Whitefield, Maine, August 21, 2025. Charlene, a retired entomologist, was an inspiration to Brian’s profession in beekeeping.
Brian walks his dog, Bowie, in the evenings in wooded areas in Whitefield, Maine, August 21, 2025. Living adjacent to a large property, evening walks are a daily ritual for both Brian and Bowie.
Brian decompressing after a working day in his home in Whitefield, Maine, August 21, 2025. When not engaged in beekeeping or teaching, Brian enjoys connecting with out of state friends playing video games.
Honey bees live in complex social structures in Whitefield, Maine, August 18, 2025. Bees are comprised of three separate classifications, Queen, Workers, and Drones; all with unique, yet critical role in the hive.
Honey bees congregate in large numbers, indicative of their complex social structures in Maine, August 20, 2025. European honeybees are a highly social and play specific individual roles in the hive.
A massive sculpture carved onto a dead tree located on Brian’s backyard in Whitefield, Maine, August 21, 2025. Being a fan of fantasy, Brian contracted a local talented artisan to complete an elaborate carving depicting a mythical entity onto a dead tree trunk.

Edward’s Instagram

Step into a world of botanical beauty