Rest Stop Photography

Ryann Ford Photographs Disappearing American Rest Stops in This Series

Texas-based photographer Ryann Ford embarked on a journey photographing America's rest stops about a year ago. After being met with an overwhelmingly positive response, Ford has made the decision to expand the series into a full-fledged book. 'The Last Stop: Vanishing Relics of the American Roadside' is currently receiving funding through a Kickstarter campaign.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Ford's series is the nostalgia. The rest stops, though quickly disappearing in favor of gas stations and fast food franchises, harken back to a simpler time. Ford explains, "These sites not only illustrate a unique period in the American travel experience, but are significant for the architectural forms found within them."

All together, Ford has traversed over 20,000 miles across 17 states, hitting 158 of these relic rest stops along the way.
Trend Themes
1. Disappearing American Rest Stops - Opportunity for creating unique traveler experiences by reviving the nostalgia of disappearing rest stops.
2. Nostalgia-driven Travel Experiences - Disruptive innovation opportunity to create travel destinations that embody the architectural and cultural charm of past eras.
3. Documentary-style Photography Books - Potential for disruptive innovation by capturing and preserving forgotten aspects of American culture through documentary-style photography books.
Industry Implications
1. Travel and Tourism - Opportunity to create unique travel experiences by reviving the nostalgia of disappearing rest stops.
2. Architecture and Design - Disruptive innovation opportunity to incorporate architectural and cultural elements from past eras into contemporary designs and projects.
3. Publishing and Printing - Potential for innovative publishing and printing solutions to capture and preserve forgotten aspects of American culture through documentary-style photography books.

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