american lamb board

When the American Lamb Board contacted me a few months back, I was immediately psyched. Anyone who is familiar with me and my work knows that my real passion lies in the story-telling aspect of my job-- the times when I can get out of the studio and into the field, (no pun intended) and photograph the people and places that help to bring our food to the table.
The Lamb Board was looking for just this kind of thing. They wanted to tell their story, and capture a working farm, a chef butchering and cooking lamb, and some finished recipes. So, over the course of the past few weeks, I've photographed a farm in Centralia, a chef in Portland, and a lot of beautiful food in my Seattle studio.

Take a peek at a few of the shots.

{farm story} glendale shepherd

I recently got the opportunity to visit Glendale Shepherd, a small dairy on Whidbey Island, specializing in delicious sheep's milk cheese.

I'm having a hard time coming up with words to describe the beauty of this farm. The property, which has been in the Swanson family for 3 generations, is magical. Gorgeous, tall pine trees cover the grounds, with a winding pathway that leads down to the lower pasture and waterfront. There are numerous buildings on the property-- a tall, fort-like house that the family built themselves, a wood shop, a metal shop, a cheese-making facility, a greenhouse with a root cellar, a sewing room, and various barns. There are ample spaces for creativity, in addition to areas for practical work.

In short, I want to live there. :)