“Drained pools, abandoned gas stations, the desolate beauty of once grand hotels, emptied of life, yet still breathtakingly architectural. Places that wait for people who never return. ”
Built in 1957, this iconic hotel, designed in the distinctive MiMo (Miami Modernist) architecture style, boasted an impressive array of luxurious amenities including a gigantic swimming pool, a fully equipped hair salon, a radio station, and even an ice skating rink. Over the years, it became a magnet for celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Joan Rivers, and Jerry Lewis, who were drawn to its unique charm and vibrant atmosphere. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered a memorable speech within its walls, adding to the hotel's historical significance. However, what truly cemented its place in popular culture was the second Beatles performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964, which was famously taped in the hotel’s elegant Napoleon Ballroom. Unfortunately, after suffering severe damage from an electrical fire in 2017, the once-glamorous hotel has remained abandoned and neglected. Ultimately, in November 2022, this landmark was completely demolished, bringing an end to its storied existence.
“Empty places have always fascinated me. Why were they abandoned? How long ago? I went back to the same sites and captured evidence of the slow ingress of Nature’s reclaiming. The drained pools gave rise to thinking about our relationship to life-giving water. I found beauty in faded grandeur as well as the simple process of decay. I felt moved to document and record what used to be, before it all crumbles into dust.”
The final remnants of an abandoned gas station in the vast Mojave Desert, captured in striking detail. This piece was featured during the prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2022 in London. The original 40x60” edition has completely sold out. The new Masterprint edition measures an impressive 63”x94.5” and is exclusively available acrylic mounted with a sleek matte white floater frame. This exclusive release is part of a limited edition of only 3.
This aerial photograph of the Standard Hollywood Hotel pool was inspired by the surreal stillness that enveloped Los Angeles during the height of the COVID lockdown. The absence of people in such an iconic social space became a visual metaphor for the collective pause the city experienced.
Through this work, I hope viewers feel a mix of awe and introspection—a recognition of both beauty and emptiness. The silent geometry of the pool, the turquoise water, and the stark contrast of the vacant navy blue deck invite reflection on isolation, resilience, and the altered rhythm of urban life.
I chose aerial photography as the medium to capture the sense of detachment and quiet omniscience that defined the moment. Seen from above, the Standard’s pool transforms into a composition of color and form, blending architectural minimalism with emotional weight.
While shooting around vibrant Miami, I unexpectedly came upon the iconic Deauville Hotel. Built in 1957, this classic hotel, designed in the distinctive MiMo (Miami Modernist) architectural style, featured a sprawling, gigantic pool, a chic hair salon, a fully equipped radio station, and even an ice skating rink, making it a unique entertainment destination. Over the years, the hotel attracted a dazzling array of celebrities, including legends like Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Joan Rivers, and Jerry Lewis. President John F. Kennedy also delivered a memorable speech here in 1961. However, what truly cemented the hotel’s place in history was the filming of the Beatles’ second 1964 performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” which took place in the hotel’s elegant Napoleon Ballroom. Unfortunately, after suffering significant damage from an electrical fire in 2017, the once-glorious hotel has been left abandoned and neglected. I particularly admired how the rich green of the surrounding palm trees perfectly mirrored the greenish tint of the standing water in the deserted pool. Regrettably, by the end of 2022, the Deauville Hotel was demolished after being imploded, erasing a significant piece of Miami’s cultural and architectural heritage.
This aerial photograph beautifully captures a striking and haunting view of the abandoned Splash Kingdom waterpark, nestled between the bustling metropolitan areas of Palm Springs and Los Angeles. The vibrant, once lively colors of the various intertwining slides, now crisscrossing each other in silent disarray, have long been deserted and are gradually beginning to fade with time. I took this image in the early Spring of 2020; just a few months later, a devastating fire broke out, destroying the majority of the slides and accelerating the park’s decline. Ultimately, the waterpark met its final demise in 2022 when it was completely demolished and erased from the landscape. This image stands as a lasting remnant—an evocative moment frozen in space and time, preserving a piece of history that no longer exists.
This aerial photograph of the shuttered Raleigh Hotel Art Deco pool was inspired by the enduring elegance of Miami’s golden era of hospitality and the vision of architect Lawrence Murray Dixon, who designed the pool in 1940. The work draws from the timeless geometry and glamour of Art Deco, as well as the quiet resilience of a landmark that has weathered decades of change and, most recently, the force of Hurricane Irma.
Through this image, I hope viewers feel an appreciation for both history and survival—a sense of nostalgia for the mid-century heyday of Miami Beach and a quiet awe in seeing the pool preserved amidst the hotel’s ongoing restoration.
I chose aerial photography to honor the pool’s architectural precision and symmetry, best appreciated from above. The elevated perspective transforms the subject into a serene composition of curves and lines, where the interplay of shadow and color speaks to the elegance of Art Deco design.
This public pool, situated on Cahuenga Blvd just north of Santa Monica Blvd, was thoughtfully revived in 2015 after remaining shuttered for many years. On an overcast day—often one of my favorite times to shoot in Los Angeles due to the soft, diffused light—I photographed the empty structure from the street. I carefully propped my camera on the top of the fence, capturing a perfect frame that includes the diving board alongside the jagged roofline of the main building, whose design beautifully echoes mid-century architectural style.