Northport Rural Cemetery

For most, the idea of walking through a cemetery comes off as creepy. The thought of the dead being just a few feet below the ground is enough to make anyone turn the other way. However, when it comes to a cemetery where a loved one is buried, the feeling is entirely different. It brings a feeling of sadness that this person has departed from the world, however it also brings a sense of peace to those who long for some reminder of their loved one. But as time goes on, the connection with the deceased's grave becomes less and less important to a person and eventually is forgotten altogether. I was intrigued by this thought while visiting my own grandfather's grave. There are so many headstones in this cemetery that appear to be part of the landscape. They do not feel like they mark any final resting place for a person, but rather are equivalent to lawn ornamentation. I wanted to capture these long forgotten graves and show them in a new light. The lighting in these photographs represent the spiritual presence of the departed that lingers around the cemetery. It is not a creepy place, but a beautiful and romantic one.