Zachary Roberts: An American Family
Shortlist / Next Photographer / Next Photographer / 2017
Photographer's Profile:
Zachary is originally from Strasburg, Pennsylvania. He left pretty much after high school and then moved to New York City. He began working as a bartender and continued with this for many years even after moving to Stockholm, Sweden and starting a family. A little over a year and a half ago Zachary purchased a professional camera intending to have a new hobby - now it is an obsession.
Photo Description 1:
This photograph was taken as part of a series I was working on about my family and the tragedy my oldest brother inflicted upon the Amish community. It made me think about how the young boys in the class room were affected by my brother's actions that day and what they have struggled with in the years since.
Photo Description 2:
The day of the tragedy there were scores of reporters and news vans outside my parents' house. While they were shocked with grief with family and friends surrounding them, an Amish neighbour came to the house and consoled my father. My mother later remarked that after this happened she believed my dad would one day heal from this. She referred to this Amish man as herangel in black.
Photo Description 3:
On Oct 3rd 2006 my oldest brother walked into a one room Amish school house in his hometown. On that day, before he took his own life, he took the lives of five young girls. This picture represents the girls that were taken on that day.
Photo Description 4:
Last winter I spent some time with my parents because my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She was only given a short time to live so I left my family in Sweden to be with her. This particular image is of her before she was headed off to a theatre opening, of how wonderful she looks despite cancer and all that she has been through. She is a fighter and a darn good mother.
Photo Description 5:
I haven't been able to spend much time with my brothers over the years. We have never been very close and we live far apart. This year I made time to be with them and their families. This picture was taken on a family holiday to my dad's hunting camp where we had vacationed as kids every year.