ARTIST STATEMENT
Life in rural America is not easy. I know from my work as a Public Defender, court appointed attorney and guardian ad litem that many families are living in poverty, off the beaten path, without adequate support. My photographs capture the intimate moments of daily life and the dignity of families struggling to survive. Despite hardship, basic instincts of love and affection reveal themselves. It can be a magical connection when someone allows you to witness and record their life. Who are the Americans we do not see or know? Documentary photography can provide a means to find these Americans, humanize their lives, and ultimately commit to visually communicating a story.
I met Cora in 1993 when she was nineteen. I walked by an apartment building and noticed three strollers. I looked up and spotted a young woman looking out the window. I asked if I could come upstairs. Cora answered yes. I photographed Cora’s wedding a few months later. Despite all the moves and changes in Cora’s life we stayed in touch. I continue to photograph Cora and her family. These photographs are a celebration of survival and our connection to one another.
