The photographs within this series reflect the values, beliefs, and attitudes found in towns across the Southeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States. These places have seen their share of hardship, as economic downturns and shrinking populations have left them with few traces of their former prosperity. The built environment and its artifacts are reflective of the life and culture found here. Traditions of faith, love of country, and pride in hard work are deeply rooted in these communities. I try to give viewers the opportunity to discover an aspect of contemporary America that is generally overlooked by the mainstream media.