Rooted Heroes

THESE ARE MY HEROES AND AS HEROES I CHOOSE TO PHOTOGRAPH THEM

The Rooted Heroes Gallery on this site holds a selection of my favorite shots.

These humble, quiet, self effacing people deeply connected to older stories of ways of being and doing are my heroes. They are my superstars, my super(role)models, my star athletes (witness that farmer carry bundles of corn, beans, squash from the distant fields from sun to sun).  

My heroes are people whose names are only known by their kin and neighbors. Old time, rural, earthy. You won’t see them on TV. They don’t have big houses, big cars, lots of things or much money. But they are wealthy. Rich with heritage, rich with time, rich with presence, rich with knowledge, rich with humor and rich with generosity.

Visit any one of their homes and you will be given a seat, something cool to drink, perhaps a plate of food and their undivided attention. You will find connection and feel the vibrancy of shared human presence. You will feel an energy different than that which those of us from the hurried world can emanate. And so you will feel peace and this will bring you closer to your own fullness. And this will remind you what really matters in this life.

For me, to simply sit on an earth swept porch and chatter away an afternoon with rooted people is pure soul food. The work I do, from photography to travel to writing is done so that I can be near these people. Of this I will never tire.