2026 06 08

In trying to figure out why I’ve been so drawn towards rural Illinois lately, my most frequent conclusion is that it has been offering me visuals that I’m far less familiar with. Having lived in Chicagoland my entire life, I’ve become quite accustomed to city living and the textures and sights that come along with it. Smaller towns, however, offer something a bit more fresh, metaphorically-speaking. Lately, however, I’m wondering if the reason isnt’ a bit more simple: the simplicity itself. My life these last few years has been nonstop, chaotic, stressful, relentless… anything but easygoing. Perhaps it is this more slowed down lifestyle my body is craving. I’m not sure.

What I do know is that I’m excited to get back out and do some more Ill Wandering. Soon, hopefully. I’ve committed to showing some of this work at Filter Photo later this year. A paid portfolio review twenty years into a successful commercial photo career is in ways humbling, but in other ways really exciting. Things feel new again, in a small way. This image won’t make the cut at the review, but I like that it got me thinking more broadly about why I’m making the images I tend to be making lately.

Anyway, back to work.