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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa Photo: Whole llama love
One of the best things about my job is walking into a situation and acknowledging that I know absolutely nothing and just absorbing whatever information I can so that I can find a way to accurately photograph what’s happening in front of me.
Such was the case with this llama judging clinic, which I found out was much more than just a clinic. Becky Willhite of Namaste Farm in Alburnett helped me understand the ins and outs of judging llamas.
It also became clear that llama people LOVE their llamas. And how could you not? They’re gentle and soft and often hilarious. They greet each other nose-to-nose and expect us humans to do the same. So my assignment started out as a story about county fairs coming back online, but the pictures ended up capturing a lot of llama love.
A llama is led out of the barn May 15 during the Eastern Iowa Llama Judging Clinic at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Central City. Students learned what to look for when judging llama shows and had a chance to practice giving feedback with several local llama herds. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Becky Willhite of Namaste Farm in Alburnett presents her face to a llama as they greet each other May 15 during the Eastern Iowa Llama Judging Clinic at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Central City. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
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