As a little kid, whenever I watched a movie, there was always that one scene: someone watching from above—perched in a stairwell, a window, a rooftop—and the person below never noticed. That baffled me. Honestly, it may have scarred me. Because ever since then, I’m never not looking up.
What started as paranoia, thankfully, turned into something else entirely. Over time, it became a practice… a habit. Eventually, it became a kind of meditation: searching for light, for shapes, for the unnoticed things above.
My photographic interests are wildly varied, but skyward shots and tiny close-ups have held a front row seat in my mind for years.
So here’s a small reminder from me to you: slow down & look up. Search for the unusual, the overhead, the thing no one else sees. If it feels right, snap a photo. Start your own odd collection. Here’s one of mine:
Let’s Get Started:
Travel the country with me and my cameras.
These are a few places where I looked up and couldn’t look away.
Some of them stopped me mid-step. Others made me linger longer than I meant to. None of them were planned. Just ordinary moments.
1. Bentonville, Arkansas — Crystal Bridges Museum
This museum is built over a pond. It sits on stilts, suspended above still water — and it might be my favorite museum. Even more surprising, is that it’s not in a city you’d expect, but tucked into the small town of Bentonville, in Northwest Arkansas.
I’m a big believer that you shouldn’t have your camera out constantly when you are exploring somewhere new. Sometimes, you should just be there, especially if someone is walking with you.
But this moment begged to be captured.
Right in the middle of a glass walkway, stretching over the pond, with artwork lining the center lane — this chandelier hung. Threatening and thrilling.
I circled underneath it more than once, taking shot after shot until one just… fit. And to this day, it remains one of my favorite skyward views.
Other Things to do in Northwest Arkansas
While still in Bentonville — Visit the first Walmart and enjoy the tiny museum in about 25 minutes. Super quick and really interesting.
105 N Main StBentonville, AR 72712
Get lost in Dickson Street Bookstore
325 W Dickson StFayetteville, AR 72701
2. Atlanta, Georgia — High Museum of Art
If you can’t handle the heat—which I can’t—go indoors! On this particularly hot day in Atlanta, I retreated into the museum and ended up with the High almost entirely to myself.
Wandering around a museum when your only company is the occasional art guard can be slightly unnerving, but on this day, I loved it.
It was here I found the largest indoor art installation I’ve ever seen: a three-story mural, winding its way up the walls toward a skylight.
Must See Places in Atlanta You Don’t Want To Miss
Atlanta Botanical Gardens — worth suffering the heat. Visit Alice!
1345 Piedmont AveAtlanta, GA 30309
Georgia Aquarium — one of the first audible gasps I’ve ever uttered.
225 Baker Street NorthwestAtlanta, GA 30313
Distillery of Modern Art — Just trust me. Go.
2197 Irvindale Dr.Chamblee, GA 30341
3. Downtown Omaha, Nebraska — Lauritzen Gardens
I didn’t even make it through the doors before I had to stop. I looked up as I approached—and froze.
That chandelier… wow. I remember it better than the rest of the gardens. The lines leading to the leafy iron sphere above my head made my fingers dizzy.
No other photos were taken that day. I knew I’d be back the next day, and I wanted this visit to belong to just one image.
Day two, I returned with my macro lens—but that’s a story for another time.
4. Central Omaha, Nebraska — Public Library Lobby
Whenever I travel, I always visit the public libraries if I have a little free time. Why? Because they often sell books for a dollar or less. And I — well, I have a problem. There are a few things I'll always collect: whisks, whiskey, rolling pins, and books.
In this small Omaha branch, I found this. What is it? I haven’t the faintest… but it caught my eye and made me pause. That qualifies it for my wandering camera collection—yet another thing I collect.
That’s part of the joy in a photography collection like this. The subject doesn’t have to be grand or even recognizable. Just something that interrupts your stride long enough to make you look again.
Spots Worth Visiting While in Omaha
Gene Leahy Mall — Omaha’s Version of Central Park
Insider tip: circle the park a few times for great parking.
1110 Farnam StOmaha, NE 68102
Grab a reservation downtown at Gather in the Old Market. Don’t forget to visit their basement to be amazed.
1108 Howard StOmaha, NE 68102
If you’re up for a drive and crossing from Nebraska to Iowa several times in one trip — check out De Soto National Wildlife Refuge
1434 316th Lane
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
5. Upper East Side, New York — The Guggenheim
This one had been on the list for a long time. For Wright. For the story of it. For the art I knew it held. But what caught me off guard wasn’t the collection — it was the space itself.
That spiral. I stood at the base and just watched it rise. It was like the building was exhaling upward. No lens could properly do it justice, but I tried anyway.
The art collection barely left a mark. That shape was enough.
6. Financial District, New York — Trinity Church
In the middle of all that steel, finance, bustle — there it was: stone, weathered and unmoved. A quiet holdover from another time, standing strong amongst the modern giants.
I wandered the graveyard and stopped at Hamilton’s grave, where everyone leaves a scattering of pennies.
There’s Too Much in New York - But Here’s What I Liked
Fraunces Tavern — Historic, Interesting, Incredible Food.
54 Pearl StNew York, NY 10004
Mercer Labs — Feel like existing in a painting? Do it here.
21 Dey StNew York, NY 10007
Kitchen Arts & Letters Bookstore — Told you I had a book problem.
1435 Lexington AveNew York, NY 10128
7. Door County, Wisconsin — A Quiet Beach
I don’t remember the name of the park. Just that it was near the water, and mostly empty.
I found a big rock and sat for a while, listening to the soft, steady rhythm of waves against the shore. Until it started raining. While looking for shelter I found this photograph instead.
The underside of the gazebo was simple, nothing grand. But I liked it.
8. Green Bay, Wisconsin — Botanical Gardens
Gardens are another place I often visit in new cities. Here, in Titletown, I found a stone ring of seats and a wrought iron dome overhead — part sculpture, part shelter.
I looked up. The lines were clean and weightless, like a crown suspended in air. All I’ve done to this photo in post is adjust the contrast just slightly, and it still looks more like a drawing than a photograph.
Titletown Treasures
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary — Walking Trails and Friendly Otters
1660 E Shore DrGreen Bay, WI 54302
Joe Rouer’s for a burger and onion petals that will haunt. your. dreams.
E1098 CTH-XLuxemburg, WI 54217
Grab your morning coffee at Copper State Brewing Company
313 Dousman StGreen Bay, WI 54303
Eight places where I looked up and found something worth keeping.
Your turn. Look for the unusual—the overlooked.