September 1, 2024 [full gallery at the end]

Had a real sweet evening at Brookwood Community Farm’s Folk on the Farm event in Canton yesterday.

I’ve been slowly repairing my relationship with photography after years of burnout - taking things step by step, staying open and releasing pressure when it comes up. I’ve been slowly feeling the passion return.

When I photographed another one of my dearest people, Cheyenne, on the eve of their gender-affirming chest reduction surgery in early August, I felt the flame starting to light me up again, this time with new dimensions mixed in with the familiar.

I’ve noticed myself getting more curious about bringing my camera with me places again, giving myself space to play. I forgot how much I love connecting with people and places this way, and I love being reminded each time I bring it.

So yesterday, on my way out the door, I brought my camera on a whim.

I got there a bit later in the event, so I missed Ragu, but caught a bunch of The Moonbeams’ set. A small crowd was gathered under a gorgeous, giant Maple tree.

Pals and kiddos climbing up its massive, winding limbs, bare feet dangling, others lounging on its sprawling, ropey roots. A light breeze moving through the leaves, families and friends gathered on blankets and chairs, listening to the banjo and sweet voices harmonizing. Chips and Maggie’s homemade dips, my first time trying baba ganoush.

Gorgeous dahlias from 13 Moon Farm, tiny cantaloupes, juicy raspberries that I’m gonna miss dearly when winter comes. Pals being sweet and playful with each other, many worlds coming together, basking in the interconnectedness of it all. Backlit fuzzy grass and rows of sunflowers as the sun sets.

So dreamy. Good spirit feel for sure.

Bonus digital sunset selfies courtesy of Zenaida’s long arms cause they’re real sweet -

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After, an evening trip to Houghton’s Pond with Maggie and Rabbit.

Crickets and frogs and cicadas, silhouetted trees and points of light in the sky that may or may not be a plane/star/planet/???.

A whoosh turned into a spontaneous game, marigolds in the water, letting go and making wishes.

Having my portrait made by rabbit in the dying light, remembering the joy it brings me to share the magic of using this camera I love with others. And the magic of being seen through the eyes of friends.

Singing simple songs about the beating of our hearts and love and solidarity together on our way back to the car.

The sweetest goodbye to the month of August.

Ahh, what a joy to have my camera with me!

I’m appreciating the ways that photographs often invite me to linger on an experience: to notice details I might have missed, to reconnect with the felt sense of being there, to fill up on the nectar of the sweet connections and the presence of the people + environment in them.

I’m looking forward to following this thread… what might emerge?

Full gallery below!

PS. if you’re any of these photos and want to arrange picking up the physical instaxes that you’re in, send me an email at info@emily-tebbetts.com or DM me on Instagram and we’ll arrange a pickup!