Big Skies and Vacant Spaces is an ode to the beautiful state of Montana, rife with the after-effects of commercialization and consumerism. Among her majestic mountains and winding rivers lies widespread abandonment: storefronts, homes and industrial complexes all left behind to rust and degrade. I have and will forever be fascinated by Montana landscapes and the unique sense of place, or rather lack of, that I feel here. Big Skies and Vacant Spaces is an examination of both Montana’s troubles with consumerism and my perception of the state —a view that focuses both on her stark mountain peaks and empty parking lots. Shot on Kodak Portra, the film and chromogenic process gives a timelessness to these aging places. Warm tones aim to give the prints a sense of comfort despite their cold, unwelcoming nature.  With increasing population there lies hope for the resurrection of these spaces, but for now Big Skies and Abandoned spaces explores these places in the stark state of existence.