I recently traveled to Detroit to experience and an enjoy a major American city that is very unique due to the amazing things it has achieved and the depths to which it has fallen. From a city that went from the incredible riches of being the “Motor City” to recently being the largest American municipality to file bankruptcy, it has definitely been a roller coaster ride over the last 100 years.
Among all of the current abandonment, lack of jobs and struggles to maintain their infrastructure, there is the heart of the city that won’t give up. As I talked to the locals, there was definitely a fighting spirit and belief that Detroit will rise from it’s current depths. For every area that is spotted with abandoned lots and homes, there is another pocket that has great restaurants and stores that rival every other major city.
I went to photograph everything that makes Detroit unique, but thoroughly enjoyed the bonus of friendly people, great food, craft breweries and cool stores. From a local distillery, Two James, that is winning national awards to an urban art installation that has been going since 1986, the Heidleburg project, to furniture stores that are building with the reclaimed wood of abandoned homes, the slogan “Detroit Never Stops” definitely rings true.
I hope through my images you are able to get a feel for the epic history, the tough struggles and the indomitable spirit that shapes the city of Detroit.
– McCory James, Owner of Elevate Photography
