The“WaterWomen” photographs are biographical in nature, documenting the lives ofseveral commercial Cedar Key fisher women, and their surroundings. Commercialfishing, clamming, and oystering in this small, isolated community on the Gulfof Mexico is hard work, dangerous, and often lonely.Sailingand kayaking, I spent a lot of time on the waters surrounding the Cedar Keys,yet I hardly ever encountered these women on the Gulf. I would catch a glimpseof one or two of them as they scooted by on their skiffs, or I in town I wouldsee one waitressing or working in one of the many other jobs they did, in orderto make a living. The “WaterWomen” certainly do not think of themselves asbeing unique, or being special. Growing up in Cedar Key, they were connected tothe water and laboring in this way was “no big deal!” Photographingthese women certainly is a big deal for me. Having the opportunity of going outon the water with them, seeing them ‘driving their boast’, racing by obscure channel markers, turning at thelast second, with one hand on the wheel, one hand around a cup of coffee, andperhaps a cigarillo between the teeth, hair flying in the wind; that is an incredibly privilege for me. The more sosince the women are unaware of their exceptionality.
