In order to finally complete this project, my photo book, I need to travel to every county in South Carolina and re-photograph many of the places I visited seven years ago. It’s really more of a photography project now, a way to capture not only the places I once knew but also how they’ve changed over time.
For my first official trip, I’ll be heading to York County.
This time, I want to be more diligent in planning. I’ll try to call places ahead of time or at least make sure they’re open before I go. One of the places I’m hoping to revisit is Historic Brattonsville. I’m not even sure if it’s open right now, but it’s the kind of place I want to capture again. There are also several gardens, and I believe there’s even a Buddhist temple somewhere in the area.
I’ve been inspired by an old book called South Carolina: A Day at a Time. It was written by two women who traveled all over the state, taking pictures and making fun day trips in each county. The book is pretty old now, and many of the places they documented probably aren’t in the same condition. I thought it might be fun to retrace some of their steps, but also add my own locations to the mix.
Back then, I wasn’t as interested in photographing churches, since the book featured so many. But now, I find myself drawn to them, fascinated by their history and architecture. I plan to make them a bigger part of my project this time around.
I’m looking for any historical sites or interesting locations in York County, places I can legally access to take photos. If anyone knows of any hidden gems, I’d appreciate the help.
A lot has been changing in my life lately. I’m starting a new job soon, and it feels like a big shift. I’ve been doing some soul searching, and with everything that’s happening, it feels like the right time to finally finish what I started.
But the only way I’ll ever complete this project is by starting over. I’ve come to realize that many of the places I wanted to include in the book might not even be there anymore. I’m going to have to revisit every single county, and it’s going to take time. But I’m ready.
This journey is just beginning.