Pie Aerts spent nearly a decade climbing the corporate ladder before walking away from it entirely. He sold his possessions and boarded a one-way flight to Africa. What started as a personal search for meaning turned into a career as a documentary and conservation photographer.
In this episode, Pie walks us through three images that mark defining moments in his journey. From a life-changing encounter in a Ugandan national park to years spent gaining the trust of isolated ranch workers in Patagonia, each photo carries a story of its own.
Pie also opens up about his new photobook, Coirón, published by GOST Books. Photographed over six years in the Chilean region of Magallanes, the book follows aging gauchos known as puesteros, who live and work alone for months at a time on remote ranches.
It’s a project built on patience, trust, and the kind of access that can’t be rushed. Grab a copy of Coirón.
Watch the full conversation to hear the stories behind each image, including one that’s never been shared publicly before.
See more work from Pie Aerts via his website and Instagram.
More watching: He Photographed an Asylum. You Won’t Believe Where It Ended Up
