Someone not Something

Many of us never consider the lives of the farmed animals whose bodies supply us with food, clothing, bedding and cosmetics. It's hard to comprehend how they may suffer because they are kept hidden from us while they are objectified and exploited. I make portraits of the lucky, rescued ones at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, near Saugerties in New York State. But first, I sit with them, witnessing their existence and importance as individuals. I invite them to experience me through sight, smell, touch and taste – on their own terms and in their own time. I fall in love with each one, rejoicing as they breathe in the freedom of the sanctuary, marveling at their resilience, and catching a glimpse of their emotional lives. Where possible, I photograph these animals at eye level to emphasize the equality between viewer and subject. I share their portraits and the animals’ stories with the hope that people will be inspired to take steps toward a world where animals live their lives free of suffering and exploitation by humans.