This is Toby and I’m in love.

A few months ago I began an incredible experience as a volunteer. Just outside of Montreal the Fauna Foundation provides a sanctuary for chimps, many of whom were rescued from medical research facilities. In fact, Fauna became home to 8 HIV animals, the first infected chimps to be released from labs to a sanctuary. I was very excited when Gloria Grow, the founder, asked me if I would like to photograph the chimps–it was truly a dream for me.

It has been a remarkable journey, and a very challenging one as a photographer–and as a compassionate animal lover. I have not spoken about or shown any of my work from this incredible place…until now. I have been overwhelmed by their stories and captivated by the moments I have spent with these great, great apes. I have also been very unsure if I would be able to capture them to any degree close to how they have moved me. I have decided to start sharing some of my photos, and encounters, over the coming weeks. I hope I do them proud.

(Visit faunachimps.tumblr, or http://www.faunafoundation.org  and make friends with the chimps.)