A photographer's haunting images of America's abandoned homes look like they're frozen in time

Monica HumphriesMay 28, 2024, 23:42 IST

Bryan Sansivero has spent years photographing abandoned places across the US.Bryan Sansivero

Bryan Sansivero has spent the past decade photographing America's abandoned homes.
He describes each home as a time capsule, often brimming with dusty antiques and faded artwork.

Bryan Sansivero's haunting photography career all started when he stumbled upon an abandoned home in rural Pennsylvania.

Bryan Sansivero in front of an abandoned home.Bryan Sansivero

That was more than 10 years ago. Today, Sansivero said he's photographed hundreds of abandoned houses and buildings across the US.

The homes are often filled with floral wallpaper, an indicator of the decade the home was built or abandoned.Bryan Sansivero

Sansivero has captured everything from decaying houses to pristine homes that feel like they're frozen in time.

An abandoned home in Maryland.Bryan Sansivero

Sansivero describes each home as a "time capsule." They're filled with clothing, antiques, furniture, and toys that give a glimpse into what life was like decades ago.

An image showing the inside of a 1930s farmhouse in upstate New York.Bryan Sansivero

"It's almost like a treasure hunt looking at my pictures," he said. Nostalgia oozes from some images while others leave a lingering, eerie impression.

Toy horses fill the bedroom of this abandoned home in upstate New York.Bryan Sansivero

One year, he photographed an abandoned home with a surprising twist: The entire second story was circus-themed.

An image showing the inside of the abandoned clown house.Bryan Sansivero

A hunter's house in the Catskills in New York is one of Sansivero's favorite places to photograph.

An image showing the inside of the hunter's house.Bryan Sansivero

Sansivero admits that not every house has been unusual, strange, or odd. But every now and then, he said he finds something completely unique. And often, he'll dig into the history behind the abandoned places he finds.

A dollhouse in an abandoned bedroom.Bryan Sansivero

Sansivero admits that not every house has been unusual, strange, or odd. But every now and then, he said he finds something completely unique. And often, he'll dig into the history behind the abandoned places he finds.

On his Instagram account, Sansivero shares glimpses of the history and families who once lived inside the decaying structures he photographs.

An abandoned bedroom inside a WWII veteran's home.Bryan Sansivero

As abandoned houses piled up on Sansivero's hard drive, he compiled his images into a photography book, which he titled "American Decay: Inside America's Forgotten Homes."

The image on the cover of "American Decay: Inside America's Forgotten Homes."Bryan Sansivero

As abandoned houses piled up on Sansivero's hard drive, he compiled his images into a photography book, which he titled "American Decay: Inside America's Forgotten Homes."

Sansivero said he wants readers to feel like they're stepping into a home when they look at his book; as they flip through the pages, they enter different abandoned rooms.

An exterior shot of an abandoned home in the Northeast.Bryan Sansivero

Sansivero said he wants readers to feel like they're stepping into a home when they look at his book; as they flip through the pages, they enter different abandoned rooms.

While Sansivero's book focuses on homes, he's explored an array of abandoned locations.

A piano sits in an abandoned nursing home in New York.Bryan Sansivero

Everything from abandoned nursing homes to boat graveyards fills Sansivero's collection.

A handful of abandoned boats in a field.Bryan Sansivero

Many of the homes Sansivero has photographed have been torn down, sold to new owners, or vandalized, he said.

One of many of the abandoned and decaying rooms Sansivero has photographed.Bryan Sansivero

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A photographer's haunting images of America's abandoned homes look like they're frozen in time

Bryan Sansivero's haunting photography career all started when he stumbled upon an abandoned home in rural Pennsylvania.

That was more than 10 years ago. Today, Sansivero said he's photographed hundreds of abandoned houses and buildings across the US.

Sansivero has captured everything from decaying houses to pristine homes that feel like they're frozen in time.

Sansivero describes each home as a "time capsule." They're filled with clothing, antiques, furniture, and toys that give a glimpse into what life was like decades ago.

"It's almost like a treasure hunt looking at my pictures," he said. Nostalgia oozes from some images while others leave a lingering, eerie impression.

One year, he photographed an abandoned home with a surprising twist: The entire second story was circus-themed.

A hunter's house in the Catskills in New York is one of Sansivero's favorite places to photograph.

Sansivero admits that not every house has been unusual, strange, or odd. But every now and then, he said he finds something completely unique. And often, he'll dig into the history behind the abandoned places he finds.

On his Instagram account, Sansivero shares glimpses of the history and families who once lived inside the decaying structures he photographs.

As abandoned houses piled up on Sansivero's hard drive, he compiled his images into a photography book, which he titled "American Decay: Inside America's Forgotten Homes."

Sansivero said he wants readers to feel like they're stepping into a home when they look at his book; as they flip through the pages, they enter different abandoned rooms.

While Sansivero's book focuses on homes, he's explored an array of abandoned locations.

Everything from abandoned nursing homes to boat graveyards fills Sansivero's collection.

Many of the homes Sansivero has photographed have been torn down, sold to new owners, or vandalized, he said.