Have you ever been a part of an event where you didn’t know a soul, but felt as though you all had been long-time friends? When I had the opportunity to photograph a “Food Swap” in Ellerslie, GA near Columbus, that’s the exact feeling I got. On a drizzly night in the late summer, about 30 families came from all over town with 30 homemade items, each intended for one of the other families. After traveling down a long gravel path, past free range chickens, to a beautiful home handbuilt by the owner, the families each placed one of their items in each of the baskets, resulting in a variety of goods for each family to take home at the end of the night. From jams to fresh eggs to handmade pottery, I couldn’t help but wish I had a basket for myself! The host family is currently in the middle of a year without shopping at a grocery store, but still cooked food from local farmers and more for all of the guests. It was a true sense of hospitality, community and the warmth of good, old-fashioned fun. From babies to grandparents, this evening had a sense of joy and community to it unlike any other – and truthfully, I would love to host an event similar at our home. I’m thrilled to share some of my favorite images from the evening.