I have to do an environmental portrait about once a week—usually on the weekends, usually of farmers or gardeners, and usually at ridiculously early hours because farmers and gardeners operate on schedules that are foreign to me.

West Tisbury resident Simon Bollin with one of the several vintage tractors he has restored.

West Tisbury backyard gardener Karen Overtoom in one of her four garden areas. In addition to her prizewinning tomatoes, Overtoom also grows zucchini, cucumbers, onions, melons, blueberries, lettuce, and herbs.

Edgartown backyard gardener Paul Jackson pulls fresh carrots from the ground during a reporter’s visit. Since he began work on his garden, Jackson has had to haul in new soil each year to cover over the nutrient-deficient sand that dominates the area’s growing zone.

Sometimes I shoot pseudo-portraits that have nothing to do with the actual article being run, and which will thus never be published. I take them anyway.

Edgartown backyard gardener Paul Jackson talks pet beagle Lily through a trick in her backyard pen. Lily has been Paul’s sole home companion since his wife passed away in April.

Sometimes I get about five minutes to do the whole photo thing. (No, that’s not a weird vignette- it’s the roof shadow):

Marc Rosenbaum, self-described Systems Engineer and Energy Guru for the South Mountain Company in West Tisbury, on the front porch of the company’s headquarters. Founded in 1975, South Mountain is a design and construction company focusing on the creation of environmentally and architecturally sound buildings, a process that starts with the exclusive use of local materials.

Oh, and here is Louie Larsen with a giant lobster. Because giant lobsters are awesome.

Louie Larsen, owner and founder of The Net Result fish market in Vineyard Haven, with an 8-pound lobster. The Net Result celebrated its 25th birthday on July 4.