Farm Life: A Collection of Portraits
By Randal Ford
I worked with renowned photographer Randal Ford to help craft cover-to-cover copy for his latest book of animal portraits, including artist statement, bio, intro, breed features, and 100+ story-driven portrait captions.
Book design by Pentagram. Published and distributed worldwide by Rizzoli New York.
Carmela
Silkies naturally exude charisma with their wild fluff and laughable likeness to a fluttering muppet. When in motion, their feathers transform into a graceful boa, like a glamorous gown floating down a line of paparazzi. This golden girl was certainly red-carpet ready. Carmela’s honey-cream wings and perfectly coiffed crest were begging for my lens.
Marmaara
This freckled mare arrived on set as pristine as a figurine. Horses come in all shapes and sizes with an infinite blend of colors and patterns in between. I never get tired of their architecture and found myself enamored with Marmaara’s perfect muscular arch—like a spotted hillside or the curve of a pebbled shoreline.
Goldfinch
Goldfinch reminded me of a
sun-soaked surfer teen with beachy waves and a bit of an attitude. His jawline gyrated in circles as if chewing a chunk of bubblegum. Alpacas come with endless personality, and Goldfinch was no exception. I can’t help but imagine a pair of arms defiantly crossed just below the frame—utterly unamused and ready to get back to his surfer crew.
Lilly
Lilly was a true disco cowgirl with the bleach-blonde 80s poof to match. She strutted her stuff, wide-eyed and ready for the bright lights. Lilly was the star of her own show and brought the groovy dance moves to prove it. Although she didn’t do The Hustle or Funky Chicken, this blonde beauty loved to spin in circles like a roller girl on wheels. Dance on, darlin’.
Bulls
A bull is not a cow and must be treated as such. Bulls are domineering, testosterone-driven, and ruthlessly competitive—not to mention fatally strong. Their aggression is a survival switch that can flip swiftly with no apologies or second chances.
Photographing a bull is not for the faint of heart. While it is a thrilling encounter to be sure, their brutal instincts are as powerful as they are unpredictable. No set has ever been more silent.
My goal for each unique portrait was to shine a light on the undeniable strength of these mighty animals and honor the untamed spirit that lives within them.