Farm Life
After captivating audiences with Good Dog and The Animal Kingdom, celebrated studio photographer Randal Ford returns with a charming new volume — Farm Life. In his latest book, Ford takes us beyond the barn and into the very heart of America’s vibrant farm animals. This collection of studio portraits celebrates the spirit of these pastoral creatures and invites the viewer on a heartfelt journey of expression, play, and contemplation.
Photography Randal Ford
Denali (Bantom White Polish Hen)
With a snowcapped crest like that, it’s no mystery where Denali got her name. Originally a Native American term meaning “the high one,” the word eventually became the name of the tallest peak in all of North America. But what this Denali couldn’t make up for in height, she certainly made up for in personality. We used a small, battery-powered fan to ruffle her feathers for a glamorous effect fit for a crowing queen.
With a masterful blend of technical precision and artistry, Ford brings farm animals to life in stunning, fashion-inspired portraits. His studio-based approach highlights not only his extraordinary patience and dedication but also his meticulous attention to detail that elevates his work in the world of animal portraiture. Each piece invites viewers on an enchanting journey through the barnyard, featuring everything from the endearing expressions of Highland cows to the quirky charm of Polish chickens and the regal beauty of Arabian horses.
Farm animals often play vital roles in our lives, yet we seldom get the chance to appreciate their beauty up close. Ford changes that. With every portrait, he offers a captivating glimpse into each animal’s unique personality, accompanied by thoughtful captions that reveal their colourful stories (we included some of these). Through his lens, we see these creatures in ways that surprise and delight, making the ordinary extraordinary.
Shawn (Black Meishan Pig)
Shawn the Meishan lives the easy life and spends his days relaxing in the mud. It’s not all vacation for this black boar though. Shawn is a professional flirt and takes his job very seriously. Meishans are renowned for their ability to detect when female pigs are in heat, which helps owners know when it’s an optimal time for breeding. Capable of recognizing the special pheromones released by a female in estrus, Shawn then sounds the alarm with signals like increased vocalisation, restlessness, sniffing, or attempts to mate with her.
Creating such portraits requires a delicate balance between artistry and science. As Ford travelled the country, he and his team ingeniously constructed mobile studios right in the barns, allowing him to achieve a polished, fashion-inspired look within the animals' natural homes.
From the soft, luxurious wool of a sheep to the textured patterns on a cow’s hide, each animal’s distinctive features are expertly captured through carefully tailored lighting. Every nuanced shift in illumination reveals different textures, adding depth and character to these remarkable portraits, and turning farm animals into stunning works of art.
Juno (Scottish Blackface Sheep)
When Juno’s owners said he should have been named Jitterbug, I couldn’t have agreed more. Juno was always on the move. Whether kicking his back legs, frolicking offset, or wiggling his way into a lap close by, capturing a still moment with this jitterbug was quite the task. You would never know it from his sheepish smile though. I love the composition of this portrait—the way Juno’s features lead the viewer from nose to eye to curved horn. It reminded me of the golden ratio and how Mother Nature shows up beautifully in everything.
"My hope is that each caption invites you to sit with these amazing creatures, reflect on their contributions to the world around us, and learn from them along the way.”
Randal Ford
Swagger (Zebu Bull)
I knew I wanted to photograph a zebu for the book and could not have imagined one more perfect than Swagger. Despite being one of the oldest cattle breeds in the world—with sightings dating as far back as 2,000 BC—many people remain unfamiliar with this incredible animal. Swagger was surprisingly docile and shockingly small. Even though he is a zebu bull, he measures up to a mere third of the size of a standard bull. I loved the symmetry of his straight-on portrait and how all of his beautiful markings lined up. If you look closely, though, you’ll notice Swagger’s left ear breaking the symmetry ever so slightly with a small tilt upward as he listened to the sounds of my camera.
Latte (Bantom Buff Laced Hen)
This girl was nothing short of a fresh mug of coffee, with her beautiful caramel plumage and milk-swirled poufs as proof. You would never know it by looking at her, but Latte was originally rescued with a large band embedded in her leg. After the careful nursing of her new owner and an eventual full recovery, this feathered beauty went on to greet each new day with the enthusiasm of a fresh morning brew.
About Randal
Few photographers in the world have photographed as many animals in the studio as Randal Ford. Ford’s precise process of creating simple yet powerful portraits is highly technical and requires unwavering patience, dedication, and attention to detail.
His animal portraits have been published worldwide in two previous coffee table books, The Animal Kingdom (2018) and Good Dog (2020).
Both books received widespread recognition from publications such as USA Today, Parade, People, Dallas Morning News, Texas Monthly, and Wired. Ford’s work has also appeared on more than 20 Texas Monthly covers, won numerous industry awards, and has been commissioned by iconic brands worldwide for the past 20 years.
He believes that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. He is obsessed with details, creative collaboration, and chasing a timeless aesthetic.
Ford is based in Austin, Texas, and often travels for shoots in New York and Los Angeles.
To see more of his work, visit his website or follow him on Instagram
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