Searching for Inspiration

Sometimes there's no way around it: Maryland is ugly.

Okay, not the entire state. But most of it. When you live in the suburbs it's hard to find inspiration. For us there are basically 3 options:

1. Metro or drive into the city (D.C.)

2. Head north to the country

3. Stay in our apartment and take endless pictures of our dog and cat

While I never truly get tired of 3, yesterday I opted for 2.

My friend and fellow photographer, Adam Bank, picked me up and we headed toward Poolesville, a suburb of D.C. nonetheless, but much more country than Rockville. And we actually found some pretty interesting spots. Old family-run businesses no longer doing business. Homeless kittens roaming the grounds. The remains of an old brick house of unknown origin. And a lock of the C&O Canal that seems largely unexplored that we will most certainly visit again.

Lauren and I were lucky enough to travel across the country this summer for nearly 2 months, hitting some of the most stunning places in America - inspiration calling to us from every corner. But when you're back in Maryland you have to get more creative. You have to get down on your elbows and knees and search for that interesting angle. You have to go out driving for miles searching for that tree that calls out to you, or that old, broken-down barn that begs to be framed just right. You have to keep your eyes open and you have to do the work. You have to be willing to go out shooting for hours knowing that you might come home without a single usable shot.

While these aren't my best, here a couple of the highlights from yesterday's outing.