ÒA Photographic Journey Through Small Town AmericaÓ is a series of photography books created from a two-year project in which I traveled the back roads of America seeking to discover the essence of life in small towns. From the thousands of images documenting hundreds of towns, I discerned common themes that were evident in multiple towns across the country. I am featuring these themes in individual books.
This one is called ÒOpen for Business.Ó It contains images depicting the signs for a variety of local businesses, shops and eateries. The signs that display the store names are as unique as the businesses themselves. It is fascinating to reflect on the signs not only as expressions of how the businesses present themselves, but also as artifacts indicating something about the culture of the towns and of the local area. The unique and varied signs from the small towns often display humor and creativity, providing a sharp deviation from the sameness of chain stores. I hope that these images from all across the country provide enjoyment, and also give insight into the uniqueness of life in AmericaÕs small towns.