Dazhai Village, Guilin, China

I had the honor of photographing the Pan family, Yao people, in their traditional home where four generations live together.

The home is wooden.The ground floor houses their livestock – a horse and 3 pigs. The floorboards of the 2nd level living quarters are removable in two different locations and allows access  to feed them.  Meet Mr. Pan, great grandfather and farmer.  He is in his 80’s.

He tried to look formal which only caused us to crack each other up. Especially when he smoked his pipe.

Apparently his wife is not crazy about the smoke but posing for portraits allows him the opportunity.

Neither of us could speak the other’s language. However, we got along famously laughing.