There is an intimate connection between a photographer and his subject. He may represent an entire lifetime in the milliseconds it takes to capture just one image – the subject’s history, current mindset, and future can all be reflected in one brief interaction. Both photographer and subject give themselves to that moment, and what remains is a snapshot of what is true for both beings in that particular point in time. In these captured moments, the audience is able to see the subjects as they are, and by extension, they may examine what it is that the photographer wants them to see.
Luke enjoys some playtime with Zuri lamb.
Luke, Zuri, Elizabeth, and their mom Dolly.
All suited up and looking official for another day on the farm.
Luke and Brooklyn, an early favorite, who sadly passed away a few days after this photo was taken.
Luke cares for Little Peep hen.
Luke looks after a hen friend.
Luke with one of the hens from the Turlock rescue.
Luke relaxes with friends.
What do you see when you look into Frank’s eyes? His soulful expression commands deep respect for him and all beings.
Best friends Ari and Nik. Cattle form lifelong bonds with their companions — a basic right that is sadly denied them in the meat and dairy industries in the name of profit. Safe at sanctuary, however, these two will stay together for life!
Turkey poults exploring their world.
In his role as Farm Sanctuary’s Photo & Video Content Manager, Luke Hess documents what the meat, egg, and dairy industries would prefer remain unseen: the rich emotional lives of farm animals, whose unique personalities and capacity for joy stand in stark contrast to the falsehoods that are spread by these industries in the name of profit.
Beautiful, playful, lovable Maggie goat — we know her as all of these qualities and more. But had she been born on the so-called “humane” farm from which her mother was rescued, she would only have been valued as a commodity. Here, we celebrate all the goodness she brings to our lives from knowing this sweet ambassador for her species.
Luke’s work sees him capturing the highest highs (births, blossoming friendships, moments of joy) and the lowest lows (animals living in dire conditions, suffering from the results of cruelty, neglect, and indifference). To each situation, he brings both his keen observational skills and deep understanding of farm animals, taking in the truth of what’s before him and using his camera to translate it to others.
His photography has been instrumental in helping to communicate the horror and scope of some of the worst scenes we’ve witnessed while rescuing farm animals in need. Of one particularly trying rescue, Luke recalls: “While I had been on rescues before, I had never seen anything quite as disgusting as [the Hudson Valley] farm. From the garbage bags full of meat, to the bloody saws, and goat and sheep skeletons around the property – it truly shows how terrible backyard butchers can be.”
As society grows more and more concerned about the way we treat the animals we eat, a growing number of people are purchasing meat and other animal products from smaller farms that present themselves as “humane” alternatives to factory farming, hoping to support a higher quality of life for animals raised for their food. But as Luke has experienced and captured firsthand, “humane” labels are usually misleading. Such was the case with the horrific Hudson Valley farm (and numerous others we’ve rescued animals from), where the reality for the animals was such a far cry from humane treatment.
Mouse pig, one of the survivors of the Hudson Valley case. This gregarious boy has charmed countless people since his rescue, changing hearts and minds about our relationships with farm animals.
“While factory farms are the worst conditions for animals, the backyard situation clearly isn’t any better, and that’s become clear after seeing a few of them firsthand. It’s crazy, because some of these farms have websites that show animals looking so happy, but in reality, the conditions could be very terrible. Sometimes websites give off a strong first impression that paints a mental picture of something that isn’t accurate at all. Moral of the story – seeing the farms in person is really important. Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
With his photography, Luke exposes the worst of the worst, so we may learn about the conditions that farm animals face and band together to change them. But he also reveals the best of the best – the animals in their new lives at sanctuary, finally free to reveal their magnificent personalities and to live their lives on their own terms.
So
on Photography Day we’re celebrating Luke, who gives so much of
himself to ensure that these animals can be seen as the remarkable individuals we
know them to be. As he documents their transformations, their
relationships with one another, and their interactions with their humanimal friends, Luke works tirelessly to bring these animals’ lives to the
mainstream, changing countless hearts and minds along the way.
Pure joy and awe and the miracle of life. Senior Shelter Manager Tara Hess (above) and Shelter Manager Jill Tedeschi (below) help Tracey sheep welcome baby Hazelton into the world.
Luke’s journey to Farm
Sanctuary couldn’t have had a more “picture-perfect” ending. Like his wife, Tara, Luke felt unfulfilled in his previous job, and sought a career
change that would allow him to apply his talents in a way that was right for
him.
“I converted physical books into digital books, and I had worked my way up
from the production floor to a ‘quality assurance’ position,” he recalls. “I was eventually
laid off, which I was actually excited about, and had been hoping would happen
when they announced the possibility of it. I started looking for a photography
job because I wanted to do something more creative/artistic, and Farm Sanctuary
had a job post for a ‘Photo/Video Coordinator.’ I remember being a bit
surprised that a sanctuary for farm animals existed, but also thought (even as
a meat eater, and as someone who had never visited the farm), ‘It’s great that
this Farm Sanctuary organization exists.’”
Luke and Tara, all suited up for some quality time in Orland, site of our Northern California Shelter.
While Luke did not get the
job at the time, his application inspired Tara to revisit her own hopes of
meeting and potentially working alongside these ambassadors for their species.
“Tara had been complaining for months about her job as a teacher in the city,
and she didn’t know if she could do it anymore. She had also mentioned over the
years that she would like to have a pet pig someday, and maybe live in the
country. I didn’t really want a pet pig, but noticed that Farm Sanctuary also
offered internships, when I had applied for the photo job. I told her she should just
quit her teaching job and do an internship at ‘that Farm Sanctuary place near
Ithaca.’ This way, she could have lots of pet pigs, and hopefully find a job
she loves. Eventually, she quit her teaching job, did the shelter
internship, and was hired at the end
of it. So, I packed my things and moved from Rochester, NY, to Watkins Glen, NY, to live in our new apartment (the sheep barn).”
When Angelo lamb first came to the farm, he required overnight care. Luke and Tara got a new roommate when Angelo temporarily joined them in their sheep-barn loft!
The big move planted seeds
of compassion that had been brewing for some time, encouraging Luke to analyze
how the norms impressed upon us from a young age are actually far from normal. Before he had even heard
about Farm Sanctuary, he remembers thinking how flawed our food production
truly is – and how distanced society has become from the food we put on our
plates.
“I was in the grocery store, and I was looking at all the meat, and for
some reason instead of just grabbing what I ‘needed’ I remember thinking to
myself, ‘Look at all this meat…we [society] don’t even have to kill these
animals, or do any prep work. We just run to a store, grab a Styrofoam package
with chicken thighs wrapped in shrink wrap, ready to go!’ Something really felt
wrong to me about it, and I didn’t know what it was. The meat doesn’t have a
face, so it certainly makes it easier to just grab some wings and go about our
day. I think there are many things in life that we take for granted, and
prepackaged meat was certainly one of them for me.”
Hank was raised to become just another meal. But here, this ambassador for his species demonstrates just how magnificent turkeys
— and all farm animals
— truly are!
Prior to Tara’s internship,
she and Luke visited the farm for the first time – and it was on this occasion
that Luke realized he was ready to align his actions with his compassionate
values and make a significant change in his eating habits.
“When I met the
goats, I couldn’t believe how sweet they were, and they just had this look in
their eyes that I can’t describe. And the pigs – I thought their eyes looked
like human eyes. I thought, ‘Why do humans have the right to use these animals
for food?’”
All goats like Ebez (top) and Scribbles (bottom) want is the love and recognition that all beings deserve!
Pigs like Tim and Emily bond with their companions for life, just like we do…
…and as Jane demonstrates, they love belly rubs, just like dogs! One of Luke’s first photos here.
When we interact with pigs like Julia, we can see ourselves in their eyes
— how similar and connected all beings truly are.
Happy Andy. How could you not love his sweet face?
Luke went vegetarian shortly after the visit, but
within three weeks decided that he might as well eliminate all animal products
from his diet. Over the past seven
years, he has gained incredible insight about our relationships with farm
animals, helping him communicate effectively – in both his personal and
professional lives – about what it means to live compassionately.
“I’ve had
many people give me a very confused look when I confirm that the animals at
Farm Sanctuary aren’t milked or used for meat,” he says. “Just letting them live out their
lives really baffles people for some reason. And I think it’s just because
that’s how we’re raised. We’re not raised to see farm animals as friends or
pets – we’re raised to see them as our dinner. People also often don’t know
that in order for milk to be produced, cows need to be continuously pregnant –
it’s silly if you think about it. But when I found out, it was like a light
went off in my head.
Sweet Valentino, once considered a mere byproduct of the dairy industry because he was born male. Valentino was very sick when he arrived, but now receives the care and love he needs at our New York Shelter.
“I [also] thought of myself
as an environmental guy before coming to Farm Sanctuary, [but] I really wasn’t,” he adds. “I’d say I’m much more aware of the issues in the world. I always laugh when I
see articles blaming California almond growers for the water shortage. Sure,
that’s a problem, but producing meat consumes an insane amount of water that
makes the public concern about almonds seem like a joke. It’s all the almond growers’ fault! Hey, animal agriculture is off the
table! But really, we [society] need to start thinking about taking dead animals off our tables. Something
has to change, as meat eating isn’t sustainable with the growing population.”
Had Pecan been born at the site of the cruelty case from which we rescued his mother, Cheryl, he would have been raised for beef. Instead, born in safety at our New York Shelter, he is recognized as the magnificent individual he is free to be.
As Luke’s conceptions about
our relationships with farm animals began to change, he started considering how
he could make a difference and give back to the animals he had grown to
care about. With Tara’s encouragement, he decided to pursue a shelter
internship of his own – and wound up loving the work much more than he thought
he would.
An early photo favorite: Brooklyn goat. “Brooklyn was one of my favorite animals when I first started,” Luke reflects. “The photo of him looking up at the sky was one of my first animal photos I took that I thought was pretty awesome. Although, Tara claimed she took it, and we still are in disagreement about it today. Either way, it inspired me to get more creative with my photography.”
From March through June of 2009, Luke worked closely with our rescued
residents, and came away feeling enlightened about how fulfilling this line of
work can be.
“By the end of it I, too, was hoping to get hired,” he says. “It was hard
work, but I felt very satisfied at the end of the day – and the days went by
very quickly, the opposite of my previous job where I watched the clock all day
long. I remember saying to Tara, ‘This is great! It doesn’t even feel like a
job! It’s just like – someone has to feed the pigs, etc., and watch out for
them. It’s just a bonus that I can get paid to do this.’ Of course, I had just
been an intern previously, and when you become a staff person you quickly
realize that it is a job, and a very
tough one at that!”
Luke hangs out with Gene and fellow interns during our popular “Ed Lunch” program, where the interns convene over a vegan meal and educational discussion.
Working hard during his internship, which laid the foundation for some amazing work to come.
As Luke would soon come to
realize, a caregiver’s job involves much more than simply bonding with the
animals all day – though getting to know their individual personalities is
certainly one of the most rewarding aspects of this line of work! Our
caregivers get to know every animal’s unique personalities and healthcare
needs – that’s more than 500 at our New
York Shelter alone! – so they can detect
any health problems that arise. They put in long hours, walking miles each day
to ensure that everyone receives the individualized care they need to thrive.
Our caregivers perform weekly health checks to monitor our rescued residents’ health. Here, Luke and Tara help a goat friend…
…and administer care to one of our cows in Orland.
As rewarding as it is to see
the animals recover from trauma and live rich, fulfilling lives at sanctuary,
there is also a lot of heartbreak involved – such as when a beloved friend
passes away. Some caregivers suffer from compassion fatigue; they give so much
of themselves to help these animals that they have nothing left for
themselves. And sadly, this is something that Luke experienced after devoting
nearly five years to caregiving – three as a Senior Caregiver in New York and
two as a Master Caregiver at our Northern
California Shelter.
Trimming hooves; there is much more to caregiving than meets the eye.
“I realized I had all the
signs of burnout, and I should have been taking more time off than I had been,”
Luke says. “We both felt like we needed a break after nearly five years, so we
moved back to Rochester, NY, and took some time. It wasn’t long before we
realized we missed the farm, so when they were hiring a caregiver Tara applied,
and was hired back. I applied for the Photo/Video position a few months later,
and was hired back in May 2014.”
Luke is always on the lookout for a good shot. Here, Luke dog (one of National Shelter Director Susie Coston’s canine companions) and Luke human decide who to photograph next.
Needless to say, we were
very grateful to welcome Luke back – and this time, in a capacity that was a better fit for him. In this role, Luke could apply his caregiving experiences and
his knowledge about our animals to communicate their stories to the public,
extending a compassionate lens to help others see what he
sees – that every one of these animals is someone, not
something, each with a remarkable story and life to be acknowledged and
valued.
A recent video
project detailing a day in the life of a caregiver: Shelter Manager Jill
Tedeschi. We value our staff’s
heartfelt dedication to giving our rescued residents the best lives possible!
These days, Luke spends much
of his time shooting and editing videos; taking
photos of specific animals for various programs (such as the stunning portraits
used in our Adopt
a Farm Animal Program); documenting
rescues; covering events and tours; and organizing and archiving photo and
video footage for later use. On some days, National Shelter Director Susie Coston asks him to get photos and
videos of specific animals, or advises him to get ready for a rescue. Others find
him adventuring out on the farm, to provide an updated glimpse of Farm Sanctuary
life. “Those are my favorite
photo shoots, because they aren’t forced. I just take photos of the animals who
are already posing for me. When I get a request for those animals later on, I
hopefully already have a great photo ready to go.”
Milo Gibson rooster, in all his glory.
Nikki pig, enjoying a good roll in the mud and the feel of the sunshine on her face.
Summer, Denise, Tracey, Hazelton, and Reubie sheep enjoy a good run on pasture.
A candid moment with Tatiana goat, snacking on icicles.
Luke’s favorite part of the
job, however, is going on rescues and witnessing the incredible transformations
our animals undergo when they are finally valued for themselves, instead of the
commodities the industry considers them to be.
“I really enjoy capturing the
Farm Sanctuary rescue team doing their thing. It’s amazing to look back at
videos of rescues – seeing the caregivers and the farm crew really working hard
to save as many animals as they can. I can’t believe how amazing the crew is,
and I can’t believe the transformation the animals make when they come to Farm
Sanctuary,” Luke says. “I remember looking at photos of Gloria
goat when she came in, and photos
of her later on, and it’s just amazing to see the difference. I forget
sometimes, just how terrible they had it before coming to the farm. You get so used
to seeing them so happy here. Photos are a great reminder! She passed away, but
she is a great example of the transformation animals make after being at Farm
Sanctuary. And to be able to document all of the transformations, with photos
and video, is just very fulfilling, on multiple levels.”
Beautiful Gloria spent the rest of her life at our New York Shelter, finally valued as the magnificent individual she truly was.
At Farm Sanctuary, animals
are free to live on their own terms and to form relationships with
friends and adopted family members of their choosing. Here, staff, interns, and visitors are all guests in
the animals’ home – so we respect their need for personal space or their desire
to interact with some people and not others. That being said, there are
many who thrive when spending time with a preferred animal or humanimal friend
– and Luke feels fortunate to be on the receiving end of several of these
interactions with our rescued residents.
“You gotta have friends!” Darnell chicken and Ditto duck have been inseparable since they were babies, and we’re thankful to have documented their inspiring journey together!
Friends come in all forms, and at Farm Sanctuary the animals can spend their days with whomever they please! Here, Chucky goat enjoys some quality time with Christina turkey for a “dust bath.”
One such friend, Francis, is one of the most outgoing members of our Watkins Glen sheep
herd
–
and thanks to support from compassionate people like Luke, he is changing hearts
and minds about how engaging and personable sheep can be. After appearing in a play as a lamb, Francis’ career and life were nearly cut short when the play’s run ended; a trip to auction (and, almost certainly, slaughter) loomed near. Fortunately, his
caretakers successfully pleaded for his life to be spared, and Francis made our way to our New York
Shelter. Luke picked him up on that fateful day, and he’s been charming this humanimal buddy – and countless others through Luke’s photos –
ever since.
Escorting Francis and his sister Pamela home!
Francis has nothing but love for his dear friend, Luke.
One of Luke’s newer animal friends is Vera
Jo, a lamb born in
safety at our New York Shelter after her mother, Izzy, was rescued from a cruelty case at a so-called “farm-to-table” operation earlier this year.
“She’s a bit shy, but with the amount of time I spent taking photos of the
lambs, she’ll end up sitting next to me and we’ll just ‘chillax,’” Luke says.
“I’ve had certain animals
who are ‘middle of the road’: scared, but curious. And since a photo shoot can
sometimes take a long time, I’ll end up being around the animals long enough for
them to ‘come around’ and let me pet them, hang out, etc. Winning over the ones
who are initially scared is truly amazing. Most recently it was Vera Jo. Since lambs are so cute, I had been photographing them for a good hour,
and eventually Susie pointed out that Vera Jo had come sit next to me where I
was. That was super cute.”
Luke is also clearly the master
of Grace
sheep’s heart, and a beloved
provider of her favorite thing: “the scratch!” Grace recently had a health scare that required
surgery, but thankfully has made a full recovery.
When “the scratch” ends, Grace is known for pawing at her humanimal friends for more!
After returning from the Nemo Farm Animal Hospital at Cornell University,
Grace and her sister Dore spent some time in a private enclosure so Grace could
recuperate in peace before rejoining the flock. This time was especially
significant for Luke, who lovingly captured her recovery.
“The photos of
Grace eating grass in the pasture are extra special to me, because she had just
been at the hospital, and I wasn’t sure she was coming back,” he recalls. “So seeing her come
out to pasture again, and continue her life here, is something I’ll never
forget.”
Recovery time on pasture; Grace is a trooper, and we are lucky to share our lives with her!
He also loved spending time
with Samantha
sheep, who had special healthcare
needs and sadly passed away recently. “She was beautiful and always loved a
visit,” Luke reflects.
Samantha’s prosthetic limb helped prolong her life for years, allowing her to enjoy the love and care she received at sanctuary.
But the #1 subject of Luke’s lens? “My favorite animal to
photograph is probably Marge
pig, because she’s so cute, and because you can’t
take a bad photo of her. Go ahead and try it,” he says. “She just has a great personality,
and always approaches me when I’m in her pasture.”
Luke can’t resist photographing Marge’s adorable face, but honestly, can you blame him?
Enjoying a good roll in the mud; Marge is truly relishing Farm Sanctuary life!
And of course, there’s Wilson
goat, whom Luke named after a
song by one of his favorite bands, Phish. Luke, an accomplished musician,
recently payed tribute to his friend in song in honor of Wilson’s “rebirthday” in May.
“Wiiil-son!” (Phish fans know the rest.) Wilson enjoyed being serenaded!
“I could go on and on,” Luke
says. “They’re all amazing and unique. There is [also] something special about
winning over the animals who are less inclined to like humans. Emily cow in
Orland was an example. She gave most of the staff a hard time, but for some
reason she liked me – or so I thought. Maybe she couldn’t stand me,” he jokes. Throughout these interactions, it’s easy to see that these animals are
individuals and have their preferred “people” with whom they choose to spend
their lives. And in Luke’s case, he has the honor to reflect the love he
receives from these special friends back into the world through his work, so
others can see, respect, and value these ambassadors for their species in turn.
Fanny and Merlin: Someone, not something.
Goodwin and Marjorie goats have struck up a romance in recent years! They have been a comfort to one another as their other companions have passed away.
“That feels good!” Gee enjoys one of life’s simple pleasures — a good back scratch!
Olive and Maggie: Their bond is priceless.
If you’re interested in photography as a tool for animal advocacy, Luke emphasizes that it’s just as important to focus on what is going on around his subjects as the animals themselves.
“I almost always pay as much attention to the background as I do the subject in the photo, unless I have no time to think about it,” he says. “After awhile, you’ll start to do it subconsciously. It’s always a bummer when you take a great photo, and it has cars or other distractions in the background. I learn the most from looking at my bad photos. If you can’t get a beautiful background, try to blur it out with a lower aperture setting.” The entire scene tells a story of the animal’s experiences – and in his sanctuary portraits, Luke is honored to highlight each individual as the revered friend we know him or her to be.
Bruce goat feels he should be the star of every photo — and he’s certainly a star in our eyes!
Luke also feels fortunate to
learn valuable techniques from fellow photographers, including acclaimed photojournalist Jo-Anne McArthur, a dear friend of Farm Sanctuary.
“Jo-Anne has been an inspiration to
me,” says Luke. “I love her photos, and feel like I’ve become a better photographer by
working with her at events and ‘studying’ her photos. Sometimes I’ll discover
things and get ideas of how I could improve myself by looking at her photos.”
When he feels inspired by a particular photo, he’ll try to find out what it
is Jo-Anne did to capture that specific effect – and then he’ll work on
perfecting his craft, to better advocate for animals through his own work. This
mentorship presents an important lesson for us all – when we pool our skills
and learn from one another, we can multiply our impact to inspire effective
change for animals everywhere.
There is power in numbers! Louise and the boys are thankful for all you do to help sheep and all farm animals just like them.
Of his work, Luke hopes that people will see how unique and remarkable farm animals truly are – and how getting to know them on a personal level can enrich our lives as well.
“I try to capture the animals’ individual personalities,” he says. “Just like our dogs and cats, farm animals all have unique personalities, and I love when I can capture that. I also love candid shots of people with animals. I love capturing the joy on people’s faces when interacting with the animals at Farm Sanctuary.”
Farm Manager Mario Ramirez and Farm Assistant Kevin Weil help welcome Reubie and Summer lambs.
Maggie shows one of our shelter interns what playtime is all about!
We are so thankful that Luke
found his way to Farm Sanctuary – not just once, but twice! – and are deeply proud
of the way his work is changing how people view and treat farm animals. With his unique talent for spotting an amazing shot about to happen, his easygoing rapport with the animals, and his deep commitment to improving the world for others like them, Luke
illuminates our residents’ lives and personalities to so many. And while he takes his work seriously, he also injects a dose of humor and dry wit into his projects, inviting viewers to rejoice alongside the animals as they enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
Luke made Chuck pig’s day by bringing him a special zucchini treat.
We love Luke’s dry sense of humor; he brings so much character on and off the farm and into our lives!
Luke captures
the essence of what our lifesaving rescue, education, and advocacy work is all about, effectively demonstrating how all beings
thrive when given the care and love they deserve. We are honored to have him on our team as we work together to create a more compassionate world for all.
With the week-old Zuri lamb, who shows just how much she loves her pal Luke!
Always a critic in the flock; Cecelia feels the photo is a bit blown out. Thank goodness she was there to help.
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