The Yard Sales Photo Series Was Captured Across the USA
Rahul Kalvapalle — August 11, 2014 — World
References: gregruffing & featureshoot
For the Yard Sales photo series, Chicago-based photographer Greg Ruffing chose to document the fascinating world of yard sales in America. Ruffing visited homes whose owners were selling their possessions either because their homes were foreclosed, they were moving or were simply looking to get rid of unwanted items for cash.
The resulting photos capture the massive heaps of household belongings and random items. Ruffing's photos employ a surprisingly sensitive gaze to look beyond the business aspect of yard sales and look into the human sentiment and struggle that underpins them.
Some of the items for sale and captured in the Yard Sales photo series stand out more than others. However, all of them were either sold out of economic necessity, death or some major life transition, driving home the fact that even objects that are unwanted once meant something to somebody.
The resulting photos capture the massive heaps of household belongings and random items. Ruffing's photos employ a surprisingly sensitive gaze to look beyond the business aspect of yard sales and look into the human sentiment and struggle that underpins them.
Some of the items for sale and captured in the Yard Sales photo series stand out more than others. However, all of them were either sold out of economic necessity, death or some major life transition, driving home the fact that even objects that are unwanted once meant something to somebody.
Trend Themes
1. Secondhand Economy - The rise of yard sales and the drive to declutter provide opportunities for businesses to leverage the secondhand economy to reduce waste.
2. Emotional Retail - Focusing on the emotional resonance of secondhand goods, retailers can disrupt the perception of 'used' items as low-value commodities.
3. Socioeconomic Storytelling - Photography can be leveraged to link personal stories and economic circumstances, creating new, distinctive brand narratives.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Retailers can encourage the buying and selling of pre-owned items with eCommerce platforms offering wider reach for sellers and social recommendation to increase sales
2. Furniture - Furniture re-sales are offered by many companies such as West Elm, an opportunity that can expand into larger scale operations
3. Photography - Photography platforms can begin to facilitate and showcase photo essays that provide insights into the human experience with second-hand items and encourage a shift to more sustainable buying practices.
1.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
