Radiant; Farm Animals Up Close and Personal
by Traer Scott
Gregarious or shy, curious or placid, playful or retiring, all the animals in Traer Scott's newest collection have one thing in common: a sparkling personality! This whimsical, soulful, and personal photo collection focuses on the lives of the farm animals we often take for granted. Scott introduces us to barnyard animals both familiar and lesser known, from cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens to Dolly the wooly llama, Bianca the Sicilian miniature donkey, Percy the Indian peafowl, and Justice the yak. Lively captions provide information on each breed, to round out this enchanting tribute to our four-legged (and winged) friends from the farm.
“Traer Scott’s ‘Radiant’ presents portraits of farm animals-from chickens and cows to pigs and goats and beyond-that lives up to its title.”
“My newest coffee table book - Radiant: Farm Animals Up Close and Personal by Traer Scott - not only has me entranced with its soulful, stunning photographs of rescued individuals, but I’m learning about the oft-forgotten underdogs who provide the backdrop for this true work of art. The Ameraucana hen, for example, lays different colored eggs!”
“In her new book, Radiant: Farm Animals Up Close and Personal, Ms. Scott aims to change the perception of barnyard beasts-less living machines, more lovable friends. Ms. Scott writes about her subjects, “They may not be as outwardly emotive as dogs, as cuddly as cats.but any farmer can tell you that they have just as much personality, even if they’re a little less portable and perhaps a mite stinkier.”
“Photographer Scott (Raptors: Portraits of Birds of Prey), known for her portraits of dogs and wildlife, turns her attention to farm animals in this loving tribute. The elephant (or Jersey cow) in the room, of course, is how many of these species are used for food. Scott doesn’t shy away from this topic, nor does she dwell on it. She chooses instead to focus on her subjects, all of whom were photographed under ideal circumstances-close to the humans they know and love, and at the sanctuary farms they call home. This allowed Scott to truly capture the confidence and regality of Henri, a Slate Heritage Breed turkey (favorite snacks: grapes and watermelon) who has assumed the role of caretaker for a flock of chickens; Marcia, a Nigerian Dwarf goat who loved (human) kids; and Buffalo Bill, a gentle, affectionate water buffalo being trained as a therapy animal for autistic children. Each entry begins with an overview of the breed’s heritage and key characteristics (the donkey’s famous stubbornness, for example, is actually a valuable self-preservation instinct) along with the individual animal’s unique traits. Scott’s look at these species is equal parts affectionate, informative, and respectful.”