These photographs are part of my series “Where the Bluegrass Kisses the Mountains,” which explores life in Appalachia through the lens of personal nostalgia and discovery. Growing up as a military child, frequent moves left me uncertain of where ‘home’ was. Irvine, Kentucky, where I often returned to visit family, provided a sense of belonging, yet I remained an outsider in the eyes of most. By intertwining personal nostalgia with fresh discoveries, this piece intimately portrays life in Appalachia, highlighting its people and places who are often overlooked in American media. It particularly celebrates my grandmother, a revered figure in her community whom I deeply admire. Through her story and others, I explore my own relationship with belonging and place.
