A Teen's Lesson in Sustainable Agriculture

Volunteering at the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut, was a life changing experience for 19-year-old Sarah Curless, a sophomore majoring in animal science at Cornell University.

Over several summers, Curless learned to garden, make cheeses and care for animals at the abbey, which advanced her college career interests, but also exposed a typical kid from suburbia to a new world.

“When I first came to the abbey, I think it was the first time I had been that close to a cow, except maybe at a county fair,” she says. “It was kind of scary learning to milk an animal so big that you knew it could hurt you if it bumped you wrong.”

Curless, who was up at 5:30 a.m. to milk cows, was struck by the hard work and dedication of the nuns at the abbey. She says the experience "...made me realize that in farming and in life sometimes you have to work at a problem for a long time and think outside the box to find the answer you need.”

Marthanna Yater's insightful, organic images capture the heart of the Abbey of Regina Laudis (see the full gallery here) by telling the story of hard work, simplicity, and the relationship between the Earth and its caretakers.   -- by Carol McGarrahan

Marthanna Yater Wins Big At Black and White Spider Awards - London

Marthanna Yater’s breathtaking image, First A Woman, has received 2^nd Place and a Merit of Excellence from the prestigious international Black and White Spider Awards.  This distinction is considered an endorsement from the most trusted authorities in art and photography today.  Marthanna’s image, First A Woman, received the honor in the Nude category.  Marthanna also received a nomination in the Fine Art Category for her work, I left my trike at Uncle Lem’s…that was 40 years ago.  

The Black and White Spider awards are judged by an elite group of industry experts including London’s Tate Gallery, Sotheby’s, Magnum Photos, Bonhams of London, The Armory Show, and a variety of other esteemed judges. Recognition by the Spider Awards is considered the industry’s most exalted honor.

Celebrating its 7th year, the Black and White Spider Awards is the leading international award honoring black and white photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers in a prestigious annual competition and globally webcast event, reaching photo fans in over 154 countries. 

First A Woman

I left my trike at Uncle Lem's...that was 40 years ago

IPA Lucie Awards - and the Award Goes To...

Marthanna!  We are excited to announce that two of Marthanna’s breathtaking images have received Honorable Mentions from the prestigious International Photography Lucie Awards competition.  Her work, First A Woman, received the honor in the Fine Art – Nude Pro category, and her Earth Woman Fire was recognized in the Fine Art – Other Pro grouping.

The 2010 IPA Lucie Awards received nearly 15,000 submissions from 103 countries across the globe. IPA is a sister-effort of the Lucie Foundation, where the top three winners are announced at the annual Lucie Awards gala ceremony in New York's Lincoln Center and given the coveted Lucie statuette. The Foundation’s mission is to honor master photographers, to discover new and emerging talent and to promote the appreciation of photography.  

The awards are judged by industry experts including those from National Geographic, Saatchi & Saatchi, Esquire Magazine, Galerie Paris-Beijing, Tate Britain, and BBC Worldwide.  Recognition by the IPA is one of the industry's premier tributes. 

You can see the entire Honorable Mention gallery, including Marthanna’s images here.

Earth Woman Fire

First A Woman

Waiting for Emma

There is nothing like those last days before a new baby comes into this world.  The precious moments  to enjoy things as they are and the delightful anticipation of what will be.  Before Katherine welcomed her new daughter into the world, Marthanna captured her with big brother Max and big sister Eleanor as they awaited the arrival of Emma Kate.

Introducing Annie

Many of you will remember meeting Ali and Scout.  Well, now they have both been joined by a new sister.  Welcome, Annie!  Marthanna recently traveled back to Connecticut to photograph the expanding family.

Adorable Annie.

Much better.

Angelic Ali.

Ali is rethinking this whole "big sister thing."

Marthanna's website has been newly updated with exciting new work.  Visit www.marthannayaterphotography.com or click here.

Marthanna's Images Selected For Prestigious Show

We are excited to announce that two of Marthanna's evocative images have been accepted into the 14th Annual INFOCUS Juried exhibition at the renowned Palm Beach Photographic Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Judi's Dance

I left my trike at Uncle Lem's...that was 40 years ago

These images, along with other selected works, will be on exhibit from July 10th to August 15th in the main gallery of The Palm Beach Photographic Centre.  Read all about Marthanna's success in this show last year, here, and stay tuned for updates on the results from this year!

Early Summer Fun

Max, Eleanor, and Marthanna recently enjoyed a fun-filled day of sun and strawberries at the Whitted Bowers Organic and Biodynamic Farm in Cedar Grove, North Carolina.

They picked their own certified organic and biodynamic strawberries and romped until they dropped in the fields.  Unfortunately, strawberry season has come to an end but the Farm's June harvest features savoy, leaks and vidalia onions.  Visit the Whitted Bowers website for more information and don't forget to contact Marthanna to set up your summer photo shoots!