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Portraits and horses lift up young hearts
  
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By Francesca Olsen
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
OLD CHATHAM — Five children visited Little Brook Farm in Chatham Saturday after being photographed by distinguished celebrity photographer Paul Lange.
No, they weren’t doing PR work for a new project. the children, all foster children in need of permanent, loving families, were getting their portraits done for the Heart Gallery, a traveling photographic and audio exhibit that utilizes professional photographers who take pictures of children across the nation in the hope of helping find homes for children who need them.
“They don’t get many opportunities to be out,” said Laurie Sherman Graff, executive director of the Heart Gallery project. “For some of the kids, it was their first time being photographed.”
After Brittany, 13, Mercedes, 15, Darrell, 14, and Mark, 14, got their photos out of the way, they traveled to Little Brook Farm to meet horses, cats and roosters that were rescued by Lynn Cross, who owns the farm, and her staff.
“In a very sad way, it’s kind of similar to the kids,” said Sherman Graff. “These horses have been given a second chance, and hopefully, so will these kids.”
“This is unique. But how could you say no?” said Lange, who joined the children at Little Brook Farm. His work has been in Vogue, Glamour, GQ, and the New York Times Magazine. This was the first time he did portraits for the Heart Gallery.
“You’re providing an opportunity to get these kids a new life,” he said. “This is about life and stability. It’s really heartbreaking to hear the stories about these children and what they go through.
“Basically, all kids have good hearts… they’re just looking for an opportunity to be loved. I’m just grateful to be able to help.”
“At first they were a little shy,” said Sherman Graff when the children entered Lange’s barn studio. Then, “they got to listen to Michael Jackson and dance. They had fun...by the time they left they were warmed up and smiley.”
Some photographers doing work for the Heart Gallery have ended up adopting their subjects. “We’ve had many situations where the photographers want to mentor the kids. People really get touched and want to help,” said Sherman Graff. “We’ve had volunteers become mentors… it’s a good way to introduce to people just that the kids are here!”
Cross lovingly introduced several horses, including a pony and miniature horse, to the children, sharing the animals’ stories and tips on how to get them to respond positively to petting and grooming. Some horses are retired show horses, some have been abused and neglected, and some have been at Little Brook for 30 years.
Sixty horses in seven locations have been rescued by Little Brook; 20 of those are currently living in adoptive homes. “For the most part, they all do something,” said Cross, who has been at it for 35 years and hosts 2,000 school children on the farm annually.
Cross said the most common reason people give up their horses is “the previous owner’s lack of education and experience; people getting horses before they know how to take care of horses.” Although she has been riding since she was a young child, Cross didn’t get her very own horse until age 12, so she had experience caring for horses to rely on.
“I think they just need time,” she said. “Because time is money, people don’t often give them what they need. Sometimes it takes years for a horse to come around.”
One gentle, white horse in Cross’ barn is arthritic and gets injections in his knees to make him more comfortable. According to Cross, he’s patient, and will calmly stand large groups of first graders’ attention for long periods of time. “Most people would have gotten rid of this horse,” Cross said. “We owe him.”
The children took to the horses immediately. When Brittany was asked what her favorite part of the day was, she solemnly nodded to the horse she was grooming. Sherman Graff commented that though she wasn’t excited about getting her photo done earlier, she seemed to be happy to pose with her new animal friend.
The Heart Gallery project is eight years old. Because November is national adoption month, the Heart Gallery plans to open a new exhibit Nov. 17 at the Albany-Rensselaer Rail Station; a press conference marking the event will take place on Nov. 17 at 11:30. It will show photos and biographies of children statewide who are legally freed for adoption. To learn more about the project, visit www.heartgalleryofamerica.org.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit www.registerstar.com.
No, they weren’t doing PR work for a new project. the children, all foster children in need of permanent, loving families, were getting their portraits done for the Heart Gallery, a traveling photographic and audio exhibit that utilizes professional photographers who take pictures of children across the nation in the hope of helping find homes for children who need them.
“They don’t get many opportunities to be out,” said Laurie Sherman Graff, executive director of the Heart Gallery project. “For some of the kids, it was their first time being photographed.”
After Brittany, 13, Mercedes, 15, Darrell, 14, and Mark, 14, got their photos out of the way, they traveled to Little Brook Farm to meet horses, cats and roosters that were rescued by Lynn Cross, who owns the farm, and her staff.
“In a very sad way, it’s kind of similar to the kids,” said Sherman Graff. “These horses have been given a second chance, and hopefully, so will these kids.”
“This is unique. But how could you say no?” said Lange, who joined the children at Little Brook Farm. His work has been in Vogue, Glamour, GQ, and the New York Times Magazine. This was the first time he did portraits for the Heart Gallery.
“You’re providing an opportunity to get these kids a new life,” he said. “This is about life and stability. It’s really heartbreaking to hear the stories about these children and what they go through.
“Basically, all kids have good hearts… they’re just looking for an opportunity to be loved. I’m just grateful to be able to help.”
“At first they were a little shy,” said Sherman Graff when the children entered Lange’s barn studio. Then, “they got to listen to Michael Jackson and dance. They had fun...by the time they left they were warmed up and smiley.”
Some photographers doing work for the Heart Gallery have ended up adopting their subjects. “We’ve had many situations where the photographers want to mentor the kids. People really get touched and want to help,” said Sherman Graff. “We’ve had volunteers become mentors… it’s a good way to introduce to people just that the kids are here!”
Cross lovingly introduced several horses, including a pony and miniature horse, to the children, sharing the animals’ stories and tips on how to get them to respond positively to petting and grooming. Some horses are retired show horses, some have been abused and neglected, and some have been at Little Brook for 30 years.
Sixty horses in seven locations have been rescued by Little Brook; 20 of those are currently living in adoptive homes. “For the most part, they all do something,” said Cross, who has been at it for 35 years and hosts 2,000 school children on the farm annually.
Cross said the most common reason people give up their horses is “the previous owner’s lack of education and experience; people getting horses before they know how to take care of horses.” Although she has been riding since she was a young child, Cross didn’t get her very own horse until age 12, so she had experience caring for horses to rely on.
“I think they just need time,” she said. “Because time is money, people don’t often give them what they need. Sometimes it takes years for a horse to come around.”
One gentle, white horse in Cross’ barn is arthritic and gets injections in his knees to make him more comfortable. According to Cross, he’s patient, and will calmly stand large groups of first graders’ attention for long periods of time. “Most people would have gotten rid of this horse,” Cross said. “We owe him.”
The children took to the horses immediately. When Brittany was asked what her favorite part of the day was, she solemnly nodded to the horse she was grooming. Sherman Graff commented that though she wasn’t excited about getting her photo done earlier, she seemed to be happy to pose with her new animal friend.
The Heart Gallery project is eight years old. Because November is national adoption month, the Heart Gallery plans to open a new exhibit Nov. 17 at the Albany-Rensselaer Rail Station; a press conference marking the event will take place on Nov. 17 at 11:30. It will show photos and biographies of children statewide who are legally freed for adoption. To learn more about the project, visit www.heartgalleryofamerica.org.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit www.registerstar.com.
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