Stunning Photographs of Rescued Farm Animals Who Have Been Given the Chance to Flourish in Old Age

by Jesse

30 Sep 2021

For a long time, photographer Isa Leshko had been terrified of getting old. However, when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, she began to feel that fear more acutely and in a new way, forcing her to confront her own mortality.

Her way of doing this was somewhat unconventional; she traveled across the U.S., visiting farm sanctuaries to take pictures of as many geriatric animals as she could find. Isa initially intended for this project to be a means of dealing with her anxiety, but over the years, it shifted focus.

Her images became much more than a personal endeavor; they also became a form of activism. Now, she has dedicated her work to telling the stories of these animals that have been given a second chance in life and are enjoying their golden years.

Inspired by this new purpose, Isa has produced a stunning series called Allowed to Grow Old. This collection features subdued black-and-white photographs of elderly farm animals and pets who have been rescued from a life of abuse and neglect.

This project allows viewers to understand the intrinsic value of these animals in a way that is not often seen. The photographs capture these majestic creatures in their natural environments, allowing them to reveal themselves for who they truly are: beautiful souls with unique personalities and difficult backstories.

The stories behind the animals are particularly tragic: for example, 28-year-old Buddy, an Appaloosa horse, is blind and has been diagnosed with arthritis, while Violet, a 12-year-old potbellied pig, is suffering from partial paralysis.

Isa revealed that most of the animals she met while working on the project had been subjected to horrendous cruelty and neglect before being rescued. She remarked that it is incredible to see creatures who have managed to live to a ripe old age after such an ordeal.

Isa's work is both artistic and impressive, but what truly sets her apart is her ability to make her subjects feel empowered while still respectfully depicting them.

One major challenge she faced was gaining the animals' trust. She explained, "Rescued farm animals are often wary of strangers, and it can take several days to develop a comfortable rapport with the animals I photograph."

She also revealed her trick to overcoming this: "I often spend a few hours lying on the ground next to an animal before taking a single picture. This helps the animal acclimate to my presence and allows me to be fully present as I get to know her."

Allowed to Grow Old is now available as a book featuring Isa Leshko's pictures and biographical information on her subjects. You can head over to Amazon to get your copy.