When Hannah from Rough Draft Farm contacted me for family portraits, I was beyond excited. Ten years ago I lived in West Virginia, romanticized farming, worked a little, drove through farmlands a lot. Took photos at various anarchist DIY steads. Some of the pictures I took for these folks remind me of the stuff I used to do then. Leaves and animals, shining in warm light.
It's easy to romanticize this kind of life. It photographs well. The youngest member of the family, Ellis, was taking his first steps barefoot among veggies. Further, the older child, takes care of his own chickens & sells their eggs at the farmer's market. Each detail sounds like it belongs in a children's book.
Of course there is so much work that goes into farming. Work, and luck, and creativity, and all the things. So, these photos are a celebration of the real lived experience of this family. They live and work the land here in Kentucky. It's simple and beautiful, but that doesn't mean it's easy.
For the last 8 weeks I've been enjoying vegetables from the Rough Draft Farm CSA, and weekly trips to the farmer's market to pick them up. These things make me feel connected to community & that brings me more joy than I can express!
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