Athens County

Athens County is one of the most poverty-ridden areas in Ohio. I was exposed to the condition as an Ohio University student. My goal is to reveal and tell the story of poverty within the county and bring awareness to those in need. Perhaps my work will influence Ohio policymakers to direct the necessary resources to this impoverished area.

I want my work to document the condition and be unique and memorable. The communities I visited lacked hope and the people were struggling to meet the basic demands of daily life. The photographs were taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and the places seemed to be more austere than I remember. To capture this, I decided to photograph digitally in color and use detailed landscape images throughout the area. The photography uses natural lighting, selective focus, and a variety of compositions. Within the landscape images, I show the sense of decay and degradation throughout the county. The images capture the simplicity of their environment, and the toll that time and weather have inflicted on their structures. I hope my images highlight the perseverance of the people who live in these situations and present a powerful message of what life is like for some in Athens County and Appalachian Ohio.