# Abandoned Motel Pool Photography The No Life Guard on Duty Series Still Exhibits a Seed of Life By Meghan Young | Published 2012-09-13 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no-life-guard-on-duty References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670766/unexpectedly-sublime-photos-of-empty-motel-pools) & [jbennettfitts](http://www.jbennettfitts.com/work.php?series=lifeguard) The No Life Guard on Duty photo series follows a theme of abandonment, but not in the way that most people would expect. First of all, it hones in on [decrepit motel pools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vetrite), ones that have been left to the waste side for one reason or another. Secondly, there is often a seed of life left in each image, either to show that nothing is ever in total ruin or, more likely, that life is just too hard to eradicate completely. Conceived by J Bennett Fitts, a [photographer born in Missouri](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/all-within-the-detour) and based in Los Angeles, the No Life Guard on Duty photo series saw him travel 20,000 miles across the American southwest. He captured once-great [seaside resort towns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sea-sea) such as Panama City Beach, Florida, and Salton Sea, California. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.8/10 - Popularity: 99% | Activity: 97% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/stylephotography) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Abandoned Motel Pools:** Opportunity for revitalization and repurposing of abandoned motel pools as unique attractions or spaces for events. - **Decrepit Resort Towns:** Potential for revitalization and redevelopment of rundown resort towns into thriving tourist destinations. - **Seed of Life Imagery:** Innovation opportunities in using the concept of a 'seed of life' as a metaphor for resilience and hope, applicable in various creative fields. ### Where This Applies - **Hospitality:** Hospitality industry can explore opportunities to renovate and utilize abandoned motel pools to attract customers and provide unique experiences. - **Tourism:** Tourism industry can invest in refurbishing and redeveloping rundown resort towns to attract visitors and boost local economies. - **Photography:** Photography industry can explore new creative concepts inspired by the 'seed of life' imagery, incorporating resilience and hope themes in their work. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dramatic Doomsday Bunker Images](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alastair-philip-wiper.md) - [Whimsical Pool-Inspired Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/public-pool-exhibition.md) - [Documentary Photography Exhibition](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-last-resort-exhibition.md) - [Monumental Concrete Hotel Suites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folly-mojave-series.md) - [Personal Nostalgic Photo Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holy-ohio.md) - [Public Art Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith.md) - [Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-ground-exhibition.md) - [Summer-Inspired Photo Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-dreaming-collection.md) - [Colorful Tile Pool Loungers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cdm30-inflatable-pool-lounger.md)