While he captured their images on film, Texas farmers and ranchers left their reflection on a New York photographer’s soul.
Renowned New York City photographer Paul Mobley’s body of work on the American agricultural producer, American Farmer: The Heart of our Country, is due in October. Mobley carefully captured portraits and listened to the life stories of American producers. Published by Welcome Books, the large 10 ¼ by 13 inch book features more than 200 full-colored and black/white portraits taken by Mobley and numerous personal histories captured by editor Katrina Fried.
Visiting 37 states and over 200 farm families, all roads eventually led to Texas. And the mystique of the Lone Star State and the perseverance of those who make their livings on the land were forever captured through the photographer’s imagination and skill.
Mobley’s immense undertaking began five years ago. While taking time off from the New York City grind, he began thinking about how he would love to shed the dictates of others and take pictures on his terms. The strict layout and time constraints of advertisement and magazine shoots were draining him.
"When shooting for advertisement and magazines, the images are created to sell or promote something," says Mobley. "I longed to capture images which were pure and as honest as they could be. I wanted to take pictures as if I had never taken a picture before."
While enjoying a meal at a northern Michigan coffee shop where local farmers met, Paul carefully studied the weathered faces of the regulars from across the room. He considered the possibility of photographing the men and women in their own environment and not a studio.
Before long, Mobley was collecting portraits of farmers from the area surrounding his Michigan summer cabin. Eventually, a New York colleague saw them and suggested the collection would make a nice book.
"After kicking the idea around a bit, I talked to a few publishers," says Mobley. "Encouraged by the positive feedback I received, I went on sabbatical and started my journey into America’s heartland."
A good start
Faced with the daunting task of planning such an ambitious endeavor, Mobley turned to state Farm Bureaus all over America for help. Every state handled his request for help differently. Some sent a list of names and it was up to Mobley to line up the photo shoots. Texas Farm Bureau, he says, was on the other end of the spectrum.
"Texas Farm Bureau’s Joe Maley, Gene Hall and Steve Pringle were committed to my cause," says Mobley. "They escorted me every step of the way. Joe dedicated a lot of his time finding me subjects to photograph, as evident by the end product. Every single person I photographed in Texas made the book."
The Farm Bureau staff organized a four-day itinerary for the New Yorker. They escorted and cared for Mobley’s needs throughout each photo session. Although Mobley had seen Texas’ bigger cities, he hadn’t visited the rural countryside and so made it his goal to spend lots of time in the smaller towns.
Whether visiting the Pelham community, World War II veterans and friends Carl Ray Sellers and Benn Arnold Gleason, the generous Romero family, or the Clifton Livestock Auction; Mobley had a variety of stories and images to capture.
"Texas is blessed with gracious and hard-working people who truly love the land," says Joe Maley, director of Texas Farm Bureau. "We wanted to make sure Paul had access to a number of unique individuals, who would represent Texas farmers and ranchers well."
Every picture tells a story
Each image captured was a memorable experience for Mobley. The black and white image of a reluctant John Morgan O’Brien and his sons, walking a prized steed in a downpour, spoke of a stranger pushing Texas hospitality to its full limit. The colorful image of Carl Ray Sellers embracing his lifelong buddy Benn Arnold Gleason gives testimony to the phrase immovable friendship.
The Romero family invited the entire neighborhood over to celebrate the New Yorker’s arrival and watch the photo shoot. You see, in the community of Mineral, Catarino and Margarita Romero, married for nearly eight decades, are celebrities. The image of Cecilla Heiskell, hands gently folded as she looked to a distant horizon, spoke of a people, full of hope, kindness and forgiveness.
If there was a common thread that ran through each photo shoot it was the sincere generosity of the Texas producer, says Mobley.
"These people were so giving of their time and themselves," Mobley says. "Every one of them invited me inside, for coffee or to sit for dinner. They shared their personal histories with a complete stranger, from New York City no less."
One Texan in particular, risked her health to accommodate Mobley. Hondo’s Alice Wiemer had been a bee keeper for more than 58-years, but becomes ill if she receives too many stings. She warned the photographer that it would be impractical to get the shot he wanted if the weather turned bad. Honey bees don’t do well on cold, windy, and rainy days and she would certainly be stung if she handled the bees under those adverse conditions.
The weather was horrible the day of the photo shoot. However, after seeing the disappointment on Mobley’s face, Wiemers took a risk to assure the photographer got his image. Showing the true grit Texans are known for, the bee keeper opened a hive, and calmly posed as she was engulfed by thousands of bees.
"After I got the shot I wanted and the bees were returned to the hive, I asked if she was stung," says Mobley. "She replied, ‘Heck yes, about a dozen times.’"
Journey end, lesson learned
It’s easy to see the reverence Mobley has for his subjects when looking at his finished portraits. According to the photographer, he was just returning in like kind the respect he received.
"The common theme throughout this entire project was the kindness, respect, caring and hard-working attitude of the farmers and ranchers I encountered," Mobley says. "This project was a wonderful reminder to me that there still are great people out there, willing to give you the shirt off their back. I came back a changed man."
Like many people living in the fast track of the big city, Mobley believes he was getting lost in the rat race. As a photographer, he longed to capture honest images which weren’t created to promote or sell anything. As a person, he longed to slow his life down and return to a time when he saw the worth in every man.
"This was like a religious pilgrimage for me," says Mobley. "It taught me to slow down and appreciate each moment and each person I meet. I consider myself fortunate to have had the chance to meet the American farmer and rancher."
From American Farmer: The Heart of our Country. Welcome Books. Photographs © 2008 Paul Mobley, Text © 2008 Katrina Fried, Introduction © 2008 Michael Martin Murphy. www.welcomebooks.com/AmericanFarmer