The Gathering

The sounds of Bulldog paws dragging across the hardwood floor combined with the morning light cascading through the blinds in our bedroom served as our daily alarm clock. I slipped out from under the covers to start my morning routine while Cat remained and slumbered a minute more. In between cups of coffee, I noticed I had a missed call and text from Cat's grandmother, Nana. She was letting me know there was a big cow working today and wanted to invite Cat and I to attend.

I ran down the hallway to spur up Cat and hope she joined my excitement and wanted to go. Opening her eyes for the second or third time that morning, she said "Sure, when are they leaving?" "Right now!" I said "The horses are loaded and the trucks are ready. They are about to pull out of Nana's driveway!"

We both jumped into action, swapping flannel pants for jeans, grabbing our coats and a camera, and out the door we went not sure of what adventure the day held.

The pictures that follow will be included as part of a collection of our personal work - images of our life and the journeys that laid the foundation for who we are today. No amount of planning could have helped us get ready for this cow working, yet something remarkable happens when we step in to the natural world: our critical eye softens. Gone are the stresses over the details of a wedding day or the perfect portrait. Instead, lumpy clouds, tall tales, and precious time together gain the spotlight.

We allow our personal work to polish our craft.

If you like these photos from the ranch, you might also enjoy these film pictures from around the ranch at springtime, or this post documenting our trip to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!