Amish Belgium Draft Horses
Don Friday wanted me to go to Lancaster, Penn., for years. In 2022 we were driving up to New England from Charlotte, N.C., and knew it was the perfect time to visit.
It was beautiful. The Amish were living a slower pace of life in southeastern Pennsylvania; across scenic landscapes; with many family farms rolling over the countryside.
The Amish do not like their photograph taken. They believe it promotes vanity and directly clashes with their ideas of humility They want to be remembered for the lives they lead and the examples they set.
On this very cold and gray morning, Friday and I drifted out by car on smaller, less-traveled roads, into their vast farmlands.
We saw the six-horse team being masterfully directed by a middle-aged man. We watched from afar in awe at the skills of both the driver and his huge horses. It was spring. They were plowing up the rich, dark earth.
I could not photograph the famer’s face. Friday maneuvered the car on the country dirt road, so we were below the level of the field.
All of a sudden, the sun blazed away the damp grayness. I shot upward and ensured I did not get the farmer’s image. I kept him behind his horses.
This became my favorite photo shoot of all time. I thank the farmer for being there; for God bringing out the sunlight right then; and Friday for helping me to capture the work in progress.
Look at the veins in the horses from their diligence and the power in their stance. Also, the lead horse, he is an absolute marvel.