My black and white photography has brought me to a new chapter in my life with animals, a new project I call “Sout Portraits,” in which I seek to capture the souls of animals as well as their stories. To capture the soul of an animal, you need to be patient, you need a fast lens, you need to work to make the animals comfortable with the camera.

I have been working at this for years. I always let the animals see the camera and sniff it, I always give them food when the camera is around, I always have it hanging off my neck when I come into the pasture.

With the dogs, I often lay the camera down next to the food bowl while they eat. A good lens is important, because the souls of animals are often reflected in their eyes, and only a fast lens will capture the eyes and show it in contrast. It is not easy to catch the eyes of a dark or black sheep or dog.

I stood across from Susie for awhile and let her study me and see what I was up to. She wanted to see where Red was, she pays no attention to Fate. I have given her treats from time time to time, she is used to me and my camera. Curious, rather than frightened, she looked me right in the eye.

Sheep have big and wide and beautiful eyes, they often looked puzzled and surprised at the world around them, I think they understand little of it. Susie has been with us awhile, and she produces some of the most beautiful yarn that Maria sells.

My journey into black and white (I’m not giving up color) has inspired a move towards portraits, of people, of animals. I want to capture their souls, if I can. I haven’t done as much of that as I wanted to, the problem with a big long lens is that you don’t really get close enough to see the soul sometimes.