This project began somewhat accidentally, and as a fairly simple concept: Could I maintain my identity as a photographer after the birth of my son? A year and a half into motherhood I discovered I had never been farther from my son than approximately 20 miles in any given direction. In fact, he and I spent nearly all of our time together. He would play or nap in the back of the car as I drove around to photograph, or he would be my companion as we investigated the world around us. The more time passed, exploring my own personal boundaries gave way to a larger theme: tradition.
Through the documentation of my surroundings, and my son’s childhood, I was able to unravel a personal examination of traditional roles and expectations, both as a mother and a photographer.
I grew up in Indiana where the closest I ever came to a small ice cream shop was a Dairy Queen. In Massachusetts, towns commonly have small, family-owned ice cream stands. Many of them still make their ice cream from their own dairy farms. These stands are a social meeting ground, and are a rich part of community history and tradition.
Religion is ubiquitous, to the point where religious imagery has become part of the American cultural landscape. You see crosses just as frequently as you see, say, the American flag. As an outsider looking in, religion is fascinating to me. I subscribe to none, yet I am drawn to how other people practice and display their faith.
I have traveled all throughout the United States over the course of the last decade. I have also lived on both coasts, and make annual visits to the midwest to see family. As I travel, I love photographing the parts of old towns, cities, and landscapes that feel forgotten or overlooked.
