Abandoned and forgotten places have always been a fascination for people, especially photographers. There is a something grim, but inherently cool, about uninhabited places that are being overtaken by nature.

Seph Lawless started exploring his interest in urban decay in 2001. Focusing mainly in the Rust Belt, he photographed abandoned factories, churches, theaters, hospitals, houses, schools, hotels, and other buildings. After accumulating approximately 3,000 images and 17 hours of video footage, he created his first book, Autopsy of America.

His new book, Black Friday: The Collapse of the Modern Mall, focuses on abandoned American malls, one of which, Ohio’s Randall Park Mall, was one of the largest malls in America and was frequented by Lawless in his youth.

The malls were once examples of flourishing capitalism, but now represent vulnerability and desolation. Lawless aimed to portray a more lonesome and broken side of America.

He took the photos for this post at Randall Park Mall (North Randall, OH) and Rolling Acres Mall (Akron, OH).

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

© Seph Lawless

*

Seph Lawless is a pseudonymous American-based photojournalist and political activist. His new book, Black Friday: The Collapse of the American Mall can be purchased here. You can also Like his Facebook and follow him on Instagram.