People and Animals

Vanessa with Kittens,'09

Pigs Feet, '93

Measuring Space and Giving Recognition

Advocate and push yourself measuring and expanding you’re inner acceptance of all humanity, this defines you and more importantly helps some unrecognized peoples to have a better place in this world. By simply being present, acknowledging equally and sharing with, we create and define better living for each other.

Shelby Lee Adams

Lincoln, Maw & Shorty, '92



James and Clapper, '06



Chester with Hounds, '92


Children with Blind Horse, '08
Published in "Kid's Wear"-Summer '09 issue.



Sherman with Hog's Head, '92

"We enjoy having you here and having things done, we never had before. Ain’t no way we see it any other way, we see it only in a good way. If anything your pictures help, more than anything, you let the people have the books and they enjoy seeing thereselves in the books and what you write up. They always somebody that’s goin to be against you, in everything, don’t care what you do. Your work is original. It’s real life and it’s the way we live. People away from here, they got all they need in life, they got new homes, new car’s. They don’t know what it is to live a poor person’s life. People enjoys livin from day to day, makin it on their own, not out here crookin somebody or stealin something to make it; just makin it, surviving on their own. That’s the way Kentucky people are. We just enjoy doin it, because it’s everyday things. If I go out here today and make enough to survive to the next day, I’m tickled to death. Long, as I’ve got dinner on the table for my family. If I tell a man something, I tell the truth. I don’t lie."

Sherman Jacobs
October '07


Sherman, '08

Wade, '05

Paul with Rabbit, '06

Eric with Spike the Rooster, '99



Angelia with Banty Rooster, '03

Gobel with Puppy, '83


Brice and Crow on Porch, '92 [with Puppies]



Cody and Tank, '04


Billy and Bethany with Coon Skins, '04



The Blind Serpent Handler, '87


Gracie Serpent Handling, '86

The spirit is something you can't hardly explain. The feeling of the spirit of the Lord can't be explained without you having the spirit in your soul. It is a good feeling-it's a feeling too good to explain! Just like in heaven, you can't even wash the spirit of the Lord out of your hands. The spirit is something great. I've had the spirit in my arms, in my whole body. I've had it so much, I feel so weak I could fall out. I have to sit down sometimes. I feel so weak in the Lord- I'm in the spirit! If you understand the spirit of the Lord, it's not weakness or sickness but meekness in the spirit.

Gracie Holland, Happy, Kentucky


Gracie Serpent Handling, '87
[Two Timber Rattlesnakes]


Holiness Boy with Serpent Box and Poison Jar, '87



Carrie LeeAnne, '03



Donnie with Baby and Cow's, '99



Tyler and Friend with Pig, '95



Tyler and Sheba, '01



Shithead the Pony and the Noble Family, '03



Larry in Garage, '04



Bert with Guitar, '92 [Dog and Cat]



Jane with Diddles, '94



The Cock Fighter, '00



Lila and the Goose, '03



Enos holding Snapping Turtles, '07



Tammy with Catfish, '03



Larry with Goat, '05



Eagle's Nest, '04



Freddie with 38 Year Old Retired Mule, '04



Anne with Pigeon, '95



Reed with Pony and Chicken, '95



Peggy and Albert, '99



Aunt Glade with Tom, '73



Grandpa's Last Hog Killing, '73



Under Construction


All photographs and text copyrighted - © 2010 Shelby Lee Adams, legal action will be taken to represent the photographer, the work taken out of context, subjects and integrity of all photographic and written works, including additional photographers published and authors quoted. Permissions - send e mail request with project descriptions.

CBC News Special: "Sunday" - video interview with Shelby Lee Adams