Susan Mara Bregman

I am a photographer and a writer with an eye for the everyday and overlooked aspects of the built environment, from abandoned motels and old diners to roller coasters and bowling alleys. I use digital and film cameras – everything from an iPhone to a vintage Polaroid – to capture these images. One body of work focuses on old neon signs — the more banged up the better — and I highlighted the region’s neon landscape in my first book, "New England Neon." I also explored the game (and culture) of candlepin bowling, which has deep New England roots. That research resulted in a photo series and my second book, "New England Candlepin Bowling." My third book focuses on the roadside attractions on US-1 in northern New England. "Along Route 1: Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts" looks at the unexpected juxtapositions, historic sites, and wonderfully kitschy roadside attractions that line this highway of history. But regardless of the subject, I love when my books and photos evoke memories, whether a lobster roll in mid-coast Maine or a birthday party at a now-shuttered bowling center. My photo portfolio is online at www.rednickel.com.