I was delighted to have Indiana photographer, Kelley Jordan contact me recently. She was inquiring about my albums and possibly working together in the future. I was impressed that she offers such a wide range of photography services. From portraits and weddings/events to products and commercial shoots, her talents and skills go far and beyond what you expect.
Using the camera as a tool to tell beautiful stories and capture those special moments, it’s the connection between her subjects that is most important. Her love for life and exploration clearly shows through her work and since high school, photography has been her main focus. It is obvious Jordan is sincere in her vision, only seeing what truly speaks to her, and bravely unveiling the beauty that natural light has to offer.
I also discovered her love for the Earth and sustainable methods, which she expresses through her project, Farm Stories. It was created to connect people with farmers who practice sustainable agriculture and encourage all of us to live healthy lives and be kind to the planet. Jordan travels all over the world and captures these beautiful farms as well as the farmers and animals who call them home. I thought this was such a great way to introduce and encourage people to open their eyes and learn more about what we eat, how it grows, and the insightful dedicated farmers who stick to their values and do what is right.
I did a little Q&A with Jordan about her experience in the field as well as the importance of Farm Stories, enjoy!
What do you look for when shooting a wedding or an event?
Whenever I’m shooting I look for light. Not just any light, but compelling and interesting light. Sometimes that looks like the perfect silhouette and other times it’s a sunbeam highlighting an intimate moment. I also love finding those little moments – the ones that may be fleeting and seemingly insignificant. Those are often the most darling and lovely to capture because they embody the realness of life that transcends that single day.
When is your favorite time of day to take photographs and what season do you love most and why?
Looking through the lens often is most beautiful in the morning or evening. The sunlight softens and changes color which highlights things in a new way. I like shooting in every season because they vary so much, but I do especially enjoy finding new green growth in the spring.
What role do you feel Farm Stories plays in todays food industry and how can it change the way people see agriculture in general?
Farm Stories is about sharing the positive stories of farmers who are investing in a better food system. Discouraging food stories prevail in the news these days because bad farming practices are so common. But the more I look, the more I find men and women investing their lives to feed their communities well. I hope that Farm Stories will connect the surrounding communities to their local farmers to promote a more sustainable and healthy system.
What have you learned since Farm Stories has been created?
I’ve learned SO much more than I can write here. One of the biggest lessons I learned in the beginning was how transparent our food system is NOT and how uneducated we are as consumers. This came about when I stayed on an egg farm in England. Seeing the behind the scenes of free range farming was disturbing to me. Let’s just say the term “free range” does not mean hens frolicking in open fields.
There is tons to know about healthy living and sustainability. What tips or advice would you share with people you feel are most important?
I’d say the best way to start is to ask questions of the people that are feeding you. Buying local is the catchphrase of the day, but when it comes to food, it is very important. If you cannot ask about your food because you have no idea who is growing it or where it’s produced, chances are there is a lot going on that you don’t know about and wouldn’t want to support. If shopping at the farmers market is already a part of your rhythm, don’t be shy about asking questions of the vendors. Where is your farm and can I visit? How do you make your pasta sauce? Do you follow organic practices? etc. This will inform and impact your food choices and therefore our food system in positive ways.
{You can purchase Jordan’s photographs in her Etsy shop: Farmstories & view more of her work at her website, Kelley Jordan Photography}
