Tammy Mercure is quite possibly the most prolific photographer working in Appalachia today. There. I said it.
Don't believe me? Bookmark her Tumblr, track it for a week or two, then email me to tell me you owe me a beer. It's dizzying how often she shoots and posts (3 or 4 days a week by her own estimation). It isn't just with reckless abandon that she puts her work out there. It's good work. Solid. But, see for yourself.
I've admired Mercure's (pronounced like 'mercury' without the 'y') for a few years now and finally had a chance to meet her at this year's LOOK3 - Festival of the Photograph in Charlottesville, VA. It was like meeting a long lost relative for the first time. We talked about place, family, and growing up. We also talked about making pictures, photobooks, self-publishing (be sure to check out TCB Press), and a host of other things (including our mutual appreciation of David Mayfield). I shared my idea of possibly starting a 'Looking at Appalachia' podcast and she was more than encouraging. More on that later.
I asked Mercure to share some of her work with us and she agreed, despite being in the middle of relocating from Bristol to Nashville.
All photographs © Tammy Mercure.