fine art documentary
Agriculture and the Yadkin
We got off the river last month and took a closer look at some hidden threats the Yadkin RiverKeeper keeps a close monitor on in efforts to keep our water source clean. We were given permission to shoot in an abandoned chicken houses that are now re-purposed to house young cows and honeybee hives where they are given more protection from the weather in colder months.
Poultry farms such as this one, produce tons of manure a year, and with that large amounts of nitrogen and phosphates, which often seep into the watershed when applied to farm fields for fertilizer. This can pollute the river and its tributaries
Along with taking water samples near these farms, Riverkeepers also try and build good relationships with cattle farmers and promote projects to fence in farmland and install wells for water in efforts to prevent cattle to going to the river for water. Cows defecating into the water is not the main issue to the river. Bank erosion from the cows going to the water, creates silt in the river.
Dance for the River Fall shoot
It's always amazing out here on the river when seasons change. And Fall is my favorite with the fog coming off the river and colors changing. It's really very magical. Add some dancers with an incredible spirit for adventure and it just raises the bar. This project is important for many reasons, but it has been my muse for the past few months, reconnecting me tomy craft and adding a much needed fuel for creativity and purpose. I hope you feel a little of the magic in a few of my favorite images this last shoot.
“Dancing “for the river” reminded me of why I wanted to pursue dance in the first place: because the movement naturally flows out of me and I feel so beautiful whenever I dance. I felt like myself. It was such an adventurous and rewarding experience!”
““Dance for the River” allows dancers to explore, interact, and draw inspiration from the Yadkin River. In this process, a deep connectivity of, beauty, respect and dependence is unearthed between the moving river and moving body. If nothing else, I hope this project will show that there is more power in us coming together to create than destroy. ”
