I moved a lot as a kid — we didn’t live in any one place for more than 3 or 4 years at a time throughout my school years. Ranch houses, Cape-style houses, and even an old farmhouse, became home for a few years until we picked up stakes and moved again.
But I had grandparents on both sides of the family whose houses gave us a sense of permanence — when we visited them it felt, in a way, that these were are true homes. We couldn’t wait to explore their attics, basements, barns and outbuildings where we could play dress-up, invent stories, reenact fairytales, and tromp in the woods and fields nearby.
I think that’s why I love to photograph old houses and buildings, to pay tribute to their existence, and find beauty even in their decay. I want to memorialize these buildings — they were someone’s homeplace or comfortplace or businessplace, and that is everything. I feel the echoes of kids like me every time I take these photos.
In the end some of these buildngs are lost, but the memories attached to them live on. I take a moment almost every day to remember the places that mean the most to me. I hope you do too. xoxo
–lucy
The houses! So lovely and thoughtful Lucy. Enjoyed this very much, recognizing some, surprised by the rest. xo
I moved a lot growing up so I really get this! Beautiful images.
This would make such an excellent book series! I say that as someone who also enjoys looking at old buildings. Thank you so much for sharing these. Of course I want to know all the stories behind them now…
I enjoyed how each building you captured has unique character. And whether it is a stairway, or the windows with lace curtains, I like the variety of scenes. And that burning house – that must have been something to witness.