A LITTLE girl smoking a candy cigarette and a child waving a machete are among the incredible pictures taken of travelling families by photographer Jamie Johnson.
The snapper was given unique access to the Irish travellers at the Ballinasloe Horse Fair and Festival, in October.
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The two boys are pictured playing with plastic guns at the fairCredit: Jamie Johnson
She said: "Travellers come from all over the Ireland and Europe to connect, sell puppies and ponies, and marry off their children.
"I watch the police harass many of my young friends for just walking around. I heard well-dressed Irish women call them 'trash' loudly as they walk by.
"These kids are sweet but tough as this is the only lifestyle they know."
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This little girl is all dolled up and is smoking a fake cigaretteCredit: Jamie Johnson
There are an estimated 25,000 travellers in Ireland and Jamie said it was not easy to gain their confidence.
She said: "It is not an easy community to penetrate but after a few introductions and lots of smiling, I was given access into their lives.
"It was an amazing journey and I made connections with so many kind and generous families. They allowed me to photograph their lives and cultures.
"The children followed me around and took turns using my cameras."
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This little lad waves a defiant fist while brandishing a macheteCredit: Jamie Johnson
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Feigning a smoke is a fun game for this group of girlsCredit: Jamie Johnson
The photographer, who is a mum herself, said she went shopping with the little girls and got to know the families well.
She said: "I learned their traditions of being sharply dressed young boys and overly provocatively dressed young girls yet still very Catholic, their goals of falling in love, getting married young and producing many children. And a strong sense of taking care of each other and family values and always respecting God."
