Drive In Burgers Poster

Classic Old Neon Burger Drive In! Why signs, you may ask? There is a hidden beauty in everything if you take the opportunity to look. As a commercial photographer, I have enjoyed capturing a variety of subjects on film. Architecture, fashion, and varied products for the advertising world are just a handful of my subjects. Throughout my career I have been intrigued by design. Working for advertising agencies and shooting advertising campaigns has given me the opportunity to understand how design influences people. I was shooting for a client in Las Vegas when something just clicked. As I looked up at the sign, all my years of shooting architecture and commercial photography just came together. I began to see a beauty in signs I never had seen before. I began to notice their geographical design and their architectural value in time. There was certain uniqueness in the design of signs in the 30’s thru the 70’s that has been abandon in today’s signs. In days past, signs enticed you with creative and obscure designs to visit their establishment. Some signs are very humourous and others are just plan obnoxious. I tried to find unique signs that possessed a distinct design and message. Today’s signs lack both. Long lost are the metal and neon architectural giants of the past that drew you to them with their enormous size and beauty. As these signs age and rust they are transforming into pieces of art. Their beauty becoming more prevalent as they age. As the rust sets in and the neon glow fades, age takes its toll and art is created. There is an urgency to capture as many of these signs as possible. They are rapidly disappearing, one by one. Many of the signs found in my work are gone today. Each photo becomes more valuable with every passing day. As I photograph these sings, not only am I recording their historical and architectural value, I am creating new art out of old. Join me on a journey to rediscover “Signs Across America”.