In the fields

This was a photo documentary project on migrant farmworkers in the California Central Valley I shot in 2007. I spent several months photographing and getting to know workers. I told personal stories from several individuals, and wrote essays on the experience. This project earned the Dorothea Lange prize that year. Some photos were published in a variety of outlets.

Huron lettuce harvest — Lettuce Harvest in Huron, California. 2007

Boy getting a haircut in Huron California. — A group of children get haircuts in Huron, California. 2007

A woman cutton grapes near Visalia, California. 2007 — A woman cuts leaves from grapes near Visalia, California. 2007

Woman standing outside her trailer near Firebaugh, California. 2007 — A woman stands outside her trailer near Firebaugh, California. 2007

A man throws cantaloupes into a hopper near Firebaugh, California. 2007 — A man throws cantaloupes into a collector near Firebaugh, California. 2007

A woman picks squash near Fresno, California. 2007

A man smiles in a field near Fresno, California. 2007

A foreman shows how morning frost affects organic carrots in a field near Coalinga, California. 2007 — A foreman shows how the morning frost affects organic carrots in a field near Coalinga, California. 2007

Farmworkers wait next to a carrot field near Coalinga, California. The morning frost made it impossible to tend to the carrots until the sun warmed the soil. 2007

Farmworkers board buses in the early morning hours in Huron, California.

Two children wait outside a migrant encampment in Huron, California while their parents pick lettuce. 2007

A building in Firebaugh, California. 2007 — Stores in Firebaugh, California. 2007

A store with various accouterments in Huron, California. 2007

Children play with produce boxes in Huron, California. 2007

A man is silhouetted in the early morning hours near Huron, California. 2007

A homeless couple smokes cigarettes on the edge of Huron, California. 2007

A woman in Huron looks at outfits at a clothing store. 2007

A woman, who goes by Macie, flirts with a man outside the laundromat in Huron, California. — A woman, who goes by Macie, flirts with a man outside the laundromat in Huron, California. 2007

A man who goes by Rigo, sits in his room in Huron, California. 2007

Rigo studies for the immigration exam with the goal of one day earning citizenship.

Rigo practices school work in preparation to one day take immigration tests. — Rigo practices in hopes that he will one day take immigration tests.