New York Times photo shoot archive – Arkansas Editorial Photographer

For throwback Thursday, and Thanksgiving, I thought it would be appropriate to post a photo from a shoot for the New York Times a couple of years ago. My assignment was to shoot turkeys for a possible cover on Thanksgiving day, though I didn’t quite have a clear idea of the story. I spent two days traveling with the reporter to the Butterball turkey processing plant in Ozark and also a turkey farm in Scranton as she figured out exactly what she would write about.

When we walked into the turkey house I was amazed at the beautiful light. The turkeys scattered as the farmers walked deeper into the house. I asked the three men to stand and wait for the turkeys to gather back around them. It took several minutes, but it was worth the wait. This is one of my favorite images even though it didn’t make the cover (it was inside), the turkeys beat them out for the cover!

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember to count your blessings!