“To be with him in this quiet space has been an expansive and amazing gift. Time has stood still since he came into our lives.” – Amanda

“Both of our favorite parts of the wedding was how our immediate families came together and seemed to really enjoy spending time with each other, despite some folks not having met each other yet… and the food and weather were awesome! Plus, there is something special about what happens visually at the end of April, with buds and flowers just starting to come out. It is a beautiful time of the year.” – Rosy

The sun rises on the eastern tip of Acadia National Park and orange light floods the world. Salty spray, daisy-filled fields, sun-soaked walks in Somerville, climbing up stratum-filled mountains, oysters, breweries and book stores. An eight day road trip around New England with my partner, Nick, proved most enjoyable.

My partner, Nick, and I spent 22 days on the road and travelled 3,800 miles across the West of the US earlier this year. Of course, I made lots of photographs along the way, but I also wanted to create a video experience from the journey. I hope you enjoy the (much abbreviated) version of the trip. 

Featuring: Conrad Dean, Callison Stratton, Kirby, Jesse Youngman, Samira Menghes, Akheil Singla and Butch Goette.

Cool, dark forests lead to baking hot dunes marked with shifting footprints, the temperature begins to drop as we hike continually upward and find feet of snow on the trail, the just-audible sound of swallows swoop overhead as the sun sets red behind distant mountains, and blue shadows creep across a deep canyon. Gas stations with the same salty snacks, drive-thru espresso shacks, street signs and open maps, a double yellow line that leads forward and people who make me smile. Around 3,800 miles and it was awesome.

The Vermont Commons School schedules three “Encounter Weeks” a year, and during these times students from all grades are mixed together to work on a project, hike in the mountains, or travel somewhere interesting. Encounter Weeks were some of the most important times for me when I attended the Vermont Commons School, so when I had the opportunity to lead a photography week in Cape Cod with Jess Redmond it was a done deal. 

My visit to Mexico + Guatemala with Food 4 Farmers was one full of inspiring stories, suiting up to visit bee hives, marveling at the natural beauty of the landscape, visiting families in their homes, walking through cities with my two companions Marcela & Luis, informational workshops, tasting the variety of honey products produced by farmers, and, of course, so many photographs.

A week from now I am so thrilled to embark on another trip with non-profit Food 4 Farmers, traveling to Mexico + Guatemala! Food 4 Farmers works in coffee communities to find constructive solutions to seasonal hunger for coffee farmers and their families. In 2013 I traveled to Nicaragua with co-founder Marcela Pino and was able to document and learn about their work with coffee co-op SOPPEXCCA, and see the beginning stages of their program. This time I’ll be entering a later step in the process, visiting communities in Mexico + Guatemala that have been working with Food 4 Farmers for several years, and will be able to observe some of the ways this has impacted their daily lives. 

“Mushrooms as decomposers offer a great opportunity to grow amazing food while using resources that people don’t want like sawdust from mills, or logs from foresters, or coffee grounds from coffee shops. Part of what drew me to fungi is the mystery associated around the kingdom. Not many people understand the critical role fungi play in our ecosystems and the potential benefits mushrooms can provide. What really intrigued me about this kingdom is not only their ability to provide food for humans but their role in medicine and remediation. Our name Fungi Ally comes from the idea that by allying with fungi we can improve our personal and ecological health. ” – Willie Crosby

The Vermont Commons School is not your average high school. Now accepting 6th through 12th grade, the school is all about community, rigorous academics and engaging students with the world. I was very lucky to spend my high school years at VCS. Highlights from VCS include enjoying science class, writing fully researched 15 page papers, backpacking around New England, tracking wolves in Yellowstone Nation Park and swimming with dolphins in Belize. 

I had the pleasure of documenting what a day in the life at VCS looks like now, and it’s still awesome.