In a remote corner of the Appalachian mountains, where coal mining once thrived but now lies abandoned, photographer Hannah Modigh has found her tribe. Her lens has captured the lives of the Taylor family – Derrick, Laken, Josh, and Makayla – whose free-spirited nature has left an indelible mark on her work.
Modigh's fascination with the region began 17 years ago, when she first ventured into the mountains to escape the confines of her daily life. The call of bluegrass music, which originated in these same hills, drew her in like a magnet. As she wandered through the deserted streets of St Charles, Virginia, a once-thriving town now ravaged by coal mine closures, Modigh felt an overwhelming sense of connection to this place and its people.
Her approach to photography is one of intimacy and vulnerability – she seeks out moments that reveal the inner workings of her subjects. For Modigh, intimacy is key, allowing her to capture the essence of those she photographs. This connection has been forged over decades, with her photographing the Taylor family on multiple occasions.
One such moment was captured in a haunting image of Carter, Derrick's son, cradling a snake beneath his arm. This scene speaks volumes about the Taylor children's relationship with nature – their fearless acceptance of the land and its creatures is a testament to the deep bond they share with the earth. Modigh's own fascination with the wild horses roaming the mountains has led her to create a new series, The Wild Horses at Bonny Blue.
Through her lens, we glimpse the intricate web of social structures, time, and memory that underpin the lives of those in this remote community. For Modigh, photography is not just about capturing images – it's an act of self-discovery, allowing her to reveal aspects of her own life and longings.
This photograph, taken during one of several visits to St Charles, serves as a poignant reminder of the power of human connection. As we look at Carter, we see fragments of his family – Derrick's rugged individualism and Makayla's gentle warmth – etched on his face. The wild horses that roam these mountains have become a symbol of this same resilience, reminding us of the enduring bonds between people and place.
For Modigh, the people of St Charles are more than just subjects – they're fellow travelers on a journey through life. Her photographs serve as testament to the beauty and complexity of human experience, a reflection of her own search for meaning in an ever-changing world.
Modigh's fascination with the region began 17 years ago, when she first ventured into the mountains to escape the confines of her daily life. The call of bluegrass music, which originated in these same hills, drew her in like a magnet. As she wandered through the deserted streets of St Charles, Virginia, a once-thriving town now ravaged by coal mine closures, Modigh felt an overwhelming sense of connection to this place and its people.
Her approach to photography is one of intimacy and vulnerability – she seeks out moments that reveal the inner workings of her subjects. For Modigh, intimacy is key, allowing her to capture the essence of those she photographs. This connection has been forged over decades, with her photographing the Taylor family on multiple occasions.
One such moment was captured in a haunting image of Carter, Derrick's son, cradling a snake beneath his arm. This scene speaks volumes about the Taylor children's relationship with nature – their fearless acceptance of the land and its creatures is a testament to the deep bond they share with the earth. Modigh's own fascination with the wild horses roaming the mountains has led her to create a new series, The Wild Horses at Bonny Blue.
Through her lens, we glimpse the intricate web of social structures, time, and memory that underpin the lives of those in this remote community. For Modigh, photography is not just about capturing images – it's an act of self-discovery, allowing her to reveal aspects of her own life and longings.
This photograph, taken during one of several visits to St Charles, serves as a poignant reminder of the power of human connection. As we look at Carter, we see fragments of his family – Derrick's rugged individualism and Makayla's gentle warmth – etched on his face. The wild horses that roam these mountains have become a symbol of this same resilience, reminding us of the enduring bonds between people and place.
For Modigh, the people of St Charles are more than just subjects – they're fellow travelers on a journey through life. Her photographs serve as testament to the beauty and complexity of human experience, a reflection of her own search for meaning in an ever-changing world.
I'm really loving this series by Hannah Modigh - she has such a unique perspective on capturing these Appalachian families' lives 
The way she weaves together moments like the snake scene and the wild horses is pure magic 
It's not just about taking pics, but sharing stories that reveal so much about human connection & our relationship with nature 
I'm curious to see where her Wild Horses at Bonny Blue series takes us next 
It's like, Hannah Modigh is not only capturing the lives of these amazing people, she's also giving them a voice and a platform. Her photography is all about intimacy and vulnerability, which I think is so cool. She's not just taking pictures, she's getting to know her subjects on a deeper level. 
I'm literally obsessed with this photographer Hannah Modigh's work! She has this way of capturing these intimate moments with her subjects that's just so raw and emotional 
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It's like this photographer has tapped into something special, capturing the essence of a community that's so deeply connected to the land. I mean, who wouldn't want to visit St Charles, Virginia, just to see these stunning images?! 
. It's like she's not just taking pictures, but sharing her own story, and inviting us to join in on the journey 
. Have you seen her "The Wild Horses at Bonny Blue" series? 
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she's captured these amazing portraits of the taylor family and it's like you can feel their energy and connection to nature thru her lens 
this project on wild horses is giving me all the feels, who else loves a good horse story? 
. And can we talk about that snake pic tho? Carter, Derrick's son, cradling a snake in his arm, is literally the most iconic thing I've ever seen 
. And the way Modigh's own fascination with wild horses has led her to create this new series, The Wild Horses at Bonny Blue, is like totally genius 
. It's not just about taking pics, it's like she's sharing parts of herself and her life through her lens 
. Can't wait to see what else she comes out with!
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It's like they're trying to make us feel good by telling us how beautiful and special everyone is, but really we're just being bombarded with info 
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. Can't we talk about something else for once? 
. The way she talks about her own connection to nature and photography is so inspiring – it's clear that this isn't just a job for her, but a passion project that brings her closer to herself and others