Before going any further, I would like to thank my exploration professionals Jules Ruggiero, Jill Aulabaugh, and Michelle Zazzero for accompanying me on these adventures. My three most trusted best friends were not only the most exciting people I could have explored with, but they also helped film video footage, set up photo equipment, and did a great job making sure we were safe and stayed out of trouble (for the most part). Thank you for being troopers when it was 12 degrees outside, when we had to climb walls, run from security, and walk in snow up to our knees. You guys are the best!
When people see my pictures or find out about my project they immediately start asking questions. "How do you find these places? Do you get scared? How do you take these pictures?" and "do you get in trouble?" are the most common. I recently spent a lot of time telling a family friend about how this all works which is when I realized that the process and the adventure is what makes the photos much more rewarding and interesting. So here is where everyone will finally find out what goes on behind the scenes and what went into this project.
Scouting a location
The first step for me is usually finding a location before venturing out to shoot for the day. Scouting a location used to be the most difficult part, but now I've got it down to a science. There are a few different ways I find a location...
These may seem like no-brainers but you would be surprised at how much goes into researching a location even after you have found it. Since I have been doing this for years, I've trained myself to spot buildings that are abandoned whether it be in the car with my family, on my way to work, through a drone or satellite image, or on a hike. On our most recent family road trip I pointed out nearly every abandoned and decaying building visible from the road before anyone realized it was there. My eyes are now trained to locate to broken windows, boarded doors, crumbling brick, and overgrowth spreading up exterior walls. Once I find a place from afar I immediately figure out where I am on a map and start investigating how to get to my target either at that moment or at another time. This can also be where the extensive google earth satellite image research comes in. No matter where I am going or how I found it, I always prepare myself by getting an idea of what the building layout looks like based on the aerial shots, what roads and homes are nearby, and where fences and security may be. Sometimes certain areas (like the catskills) are filled with abandoned hotels, homes, hospitals, etc and it's easy to find them all if you find one on google earth and just keep searching.
Finding places based on someone else's photos and posts is always hard because people are typically secretive about locations, I know I am. Keeping information to yourself or trusted friends and photographers is the best way to prevent unnecessary vandalism since a lot of these places have prematurely met their demise as a result of teenagers starting fires, thieves stealing anything they can sell, and people just looking to spray paint offensive nonsense on someone else's walls.
- It catches my eye while I'm driving
- I've seen it photographed in books, blogs, posts, etc.
- I found it through extensive google earth searching
- I've driven around run down areas in search of abandoned sites
These may seem like no-brainers but you would be surprised at how much goes into researching a location even after you have found it. Since I have been doing this for years, I've trained myself to spot buildings that are abandoned whether it be in the car with my family, on my way to work, through a drone or satellite image, or on a hike. On our most recent family road trip I pointed out nearly every abandoned and decaying building visible from the road before anyone realized it was there. My eyes are now trained to locate to broken windows, boarded doors, crumbling brick, and overgrowth spreading up exterior walls. Once I find a place from afar I immediately figure out where I am on a map and start investigating how to get to my target either at that moment or at another time. This can also be where the extensive google earth satellite image research comes in. No matter where I am going or how I found it, I always prepare myself by getting an idea of what the building layout looks like based on the aerial shots, what roads and homes are nearby, and where fences and security may be. Sometimes certain areas (like the catskills) are filled with abandoned hotels, homes, hospitals, etc and it's easy to find them all if you find one on google earth and just keep searching.
Finding places based on someone else's photos and posts is always hard because people are typically secretive about locations, I know I am. Keeping information to yourself or trusted friends and photographers is the best way to prevent unnecessary vandalism since a lot of these places have prematurely met their demise as a result of teenagers starting fires, thieves stealing anything they can sell, and people just looking to spray paint offensive nonsense on someone else's walls.
the process
Before I go to any location especially a location like a resort, hospital or school, I make sure to get aerial views with satellite images so that I can figure out how big the campus is, where the fences are, and what areas are active (if any). This is important when I go anywhere that I may not have the chance to go to again since I have to make the most of my time and get to every building possible. I don't like to give away any location information but Kings Park is a well known and often visited place that has been very secured so I will use the maps and images as an example.
The first thing I did was find various historical sites that listed all of the building names or numbers as well as what they were used for and even provided some images so that I could decide what my top building 5-7 priorities would be. Using the maps below I matched the drawn buildings to the corresponding 3D images on Google Earth and created placemarks so that they were all labeled accordingly. In my notes I made sure to write down which buildings were demolished, which were being used and which were in bad condition. Sometimes I even draw my own maps or print the satellite images and add in known security spots, fences, holes, tunnels, and entry points. Below is an example from Kings Park.
The first thing I did was find various historical sites that listed all of the building names or numbers as well as what they were used for and even provided some images so that I could decide what my top building 5-7 priorities would be. Using the maps below I matched the drawn buildings to the corresponding 3D images on Google Earth and created placemarks so that they were all labeled accordingly. In my notes I made sure to write down which buildings were demolished, which were being used and which were in bad condition. Sometimes I even draw my own maps or print the satellite images and add in known security spots, fences, holes, tunnels, and entry points. Below is an example from Kings Park.
The key is very useful and allowed me to label my Google Earth images as well as make my own notes for when I visit. The map is from 2013 so even though it is recent it is not completely up to date.
Overview of the KPPC campus with all of the placemarks I created
Although I was doing the imaging in 2017, the satellite images were from 2016. When comparing the 2013 map and the 2016 image I found that building 23 the recreation building behind building 7 had been demolished.
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Close up on the main buildings
Multiple buildings near the ball field had been demolished between 2013 and 2016 as well
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Gaining access
"If there's a will there's a way." This is something we say pretty much every time we go exploring somewhere that is boarded up tight or crawling with security. Since most places are on property that is entirely off limits, (with the exception of places that have walking paths on the property) I end up having to park on the property in some hidden spot, in a parking lot nearby, or in a dirt patch after off roading a bit. Since my car isn't the off roading type, we end up having to park in a lot nearby and walk the rest of the way, which could be quite a trip. I try to park as close as possible just in case we end up having to make a run for it but sometimes there is only so much you can do.
Building owners, security and the town usually do a pretty good job at securing the buildings or property itself so it takes some work to get inside but if there is a will there is a way. The first thing I do is look for spots that other people have already gotten in though. Sometimes there are boards just blocking a window or door, small holes to wiggle through, broken windows to hoist yourself into, or even the beautiful open door you can just waltz right through. Other times, we don't get so lucky. I've noticed that when hired security is present, it usually means the buildings aren't very secure, however if there isn't much security, they assume they did a pretty good job securing the building and don't need anyone to guard it. Although I prefer to use existing entry point and never want want to make the initial one, sometimes it has to be done. With that being said, I never bring any tools or things that can be deemed as weapons in case we are stopped and searched by security. Climbing to the second floor and opening a window they didn't lock up, or taking a door or window off of its hinges and then putting it back is my preferred option but sometimes some muscle power is required...I'll leave it at that.
*Fun Fact* - I sprained my wrist scaling/climbing a wall to get up to the top floor of a building since there were no other options and we didn't want to break anything. Michelle and I found chairs in the woods and stacked them on top of one another so that we could reach the top and get inside.
Once I'm inside of the building I quietly make my way through and stay alert since the floors and ceilings are usually falling apart and you never know who is inside. I usually only go with one other person at a time since groups attract attention and I only go with someone who I know will look out for me like I will look out for them, safety is a priority. There's an adrenaline rush and wave of anxiety that rushes over me when we are trying to get in but once we're inside I feel at ease and free to explore while still remaining cautious.
Building owners, security and the town usually do a pretty good job at securing the buildings or property itself so it takes some work to get inside but if there is a will there is a way. The first thing I do is look for spots that other people have already gotten in though. Sometimes there are boards just blocking a window or door, small holes to wiggle through, broken windows to hoist yourself into, or even the beautiful open door you can just waltz right through. Other times, we don't get so lucky. I've noticed that when hired security is present, it usually means the buildings aren't very secure, however if there isn't much security, they assume they did a pretty good job securing the building and don't need anyone to guard it. Although I prefer to use existing entry point and never want want to make the initial one, sometimes it has to be done. With that being said, I never bring any tools or things that can be deemed as weapons in case we are stopped and searched by security. Climbing to the second floor and opening a window they didn't lock up, or taking a door or window off of its hinges and then putting it back is my preferred option but sometimes some muscle power is required...I'll leave it at that.
*Fun Fact* - I sprained my wrist scaling/climbing a wall to get up to the top floor of a building since there were no other options and we didn't want to break anything. Michelle and I found chairs in the woods and stacked them on top of one another so that we could reach the top and get inside.
Once I'm inside of the building I quietly make my way through and stay alert since the floors and ceilings are usually falling apart and you never know who is inside. I usually only go with one other person at a time since groups attract attention and I only go with someone who I know will look out for me like I will look out for them, safety is a priority. There's an adrenaline rush and wave of anxiety that rushes over me when we are trying to get in but once we're inside I feel at ease and free to explore while still remaining cautious.
Adventures while exlporing
Creedmor Cats
While shooting at Creedmor State Hospital the second time we found a colony of stray cats that took a liking to us. Jules and I got out of the car to feed them and one gray cat just couldn't get enough of us, she was rubbing up against us and "protecting" us from any of the other cats that came near us. We looked away for about two minutes and saw she had jumped into my trunk and then into the driver's seat of my car. I nervously picked her up expecting for her to claw me, maybe even bite, but instead she nestled her head into the crease of my elbow and relaxed her body. It would break our hearts to leave her behind so we brought her home with us even though both of our families are allergic. Lucky for us, the two little boys I babysit for have been trying to find a cat for months so we were able to find a home for her within a few hours.
While shooting at Creedmor State Hospital the second time we found a colony of stray cats that took a liking to us. Jules and I got out of the car to feed them and one gray cat just couldn't get enough of us, she was rubbing up against us and "protecting" us from any of the other cats that came near us. We looked away for about two minutes and saw she had jumped into my trunk and then into the driver's seat of my car. I nervously picked her up expecting for her to claw me, maybe even bite, but instead she nestled her head into the crease of my elbow and relaxed her body. It would break our hearts to leave her behind so we brought her home with us even though both of our families are allergic. Lucky for us, the two little boys I babysit for have been trying to find a cat for months so we were able to find a home for her within a few hours.
My first time meeting Stella
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Stella making discoveries in my mess of a trunk
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Glamour shot taken by a family friend
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Me holding Stella her first night with us
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Stella eating breakfast in her new home
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behind the scenes
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