This fall I had the opportunity to visit East Burke School, a small independent school in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom that’s rich with warmth, community, and tradition.
We started the day with staff portraits on the front porch — framed by autumn corn stalks and golden mums — each photo reflecting the welcoming spirit of the school’s educators and their close connection to the students. We followed that with a group portrait of the entire school family gathered on the front steps under their banner: Freedom | Unity | Resilience.
Inside, the atmosphere was just as vibrant. Students and staff were hard at work on their annual apple cider fundraiser, a beloved hands-on project that blends learning, teamwork, and tradition. From washing apples and prepping jars to labeling each finished product, the process is a testament to what makes small schools like East Burke so special — every hand matters, and every contribution counts.
This collection captures a slice of Vermont life at its best — community, collaboration, and the simple joy of working together.
This project brought together several facets of my photography work — from professional portraits and group photography to product imagery and documentary coverage. The staff and student portraits highlight the individuals who make up the heart of the school community, while the group photo captures the unity and character of East Burke School as a whole. The apple cider fundraiser segment added a storytelling dimension, blending photojournalistic and lifestyle photography to showcase the hands-on process, the teamwork behind it, and the small details that make the event so memorable.
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