Sneak Peek

03Jun14

Here is a sneak peak at a series of images I am working on. They were shot at Pennhurst State School and Hospital located less than an hour west of Philadelphia. I had been wanting to photograph at Pennhurst for some time and finally got my chance. The campus consists of several buildings and we were allowed to photograph in two that were three-stories each. After learning of the sad history and chilling abuse that took place there, the experience was like none other … evocative and haunting. As I looked and photographed, I couldn’t help but imagine what it was like for the many unfortunate souls that were put there, and forgotten. And I continue to think about them. Pennhurst made an unforgettable impression. (Look for more images from this shoot in an upcoming post.)

I am leading a Private Group Photo Tour to Pennhurst on Sunday, August 24th. If you would like all the details let me know by leaving a note in the comments area below this post.

‘Adult-Sized Crib’ © Denise Bush

‘Wheelchair I’ © Denise Bush

Filed under: Abandoned, Photography | 56 Comments
Tags: abandoned, decay, hospital, interior, pennhurst, photograph, photography

56 Responses to “Sneak Peek”

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1 infraredrobert on June 3, 2014 said:

Great work – I would be very interested in joining any photo sessions at Pennhurst – I’m in CT so I can make it there on fairly short notice. When you get more information, you may email me directly at:
robert@digital-infrared.com
Thanks!

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- 2 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  I thought you would be interested Robert! It will be nice to meet you!
  
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  - 3 infraredrobert on June 3, 2014 said:
    
    Likewise! I hope it works out – If you need any assistance in this, let me know.
4 Rich Lewis on June 3, 2014 said:

Very nice teaser. I’d be interested in going. Let me know when the dates are when you have them.

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- 5 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  Will do Rich!
  
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6 senczyjawa on June 3, 2014 said:

good job! 🙂

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- 7 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  Thank you for coming to take a look and leave a comment!
  
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  - 8 senczyjawa on June 3, 2014 said:
    
    You’re welcome! 🙂 You have great pictures!
9 Deb on June 3, 2014 said:

Great images Denise, I agree, the place leaves an impression on you. Yes, I may be interested in doing it again.

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- 10 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  Thanks Deb! Your images were my inspiration for going in the first place! More to come.
  
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11 Russ Hunt on June 3, 2014 said:

Awesome!!!

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- 12 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  Thanks Russ! I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
  
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13 billunger33 on June 3, 2014 said:

I am interested so please let me know the details
Thanks
Bill

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- 14 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  Do you live nearby Bill?
  
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15 ml22 on June 3, 2014 said:

Great work! Glad you liked the vacuum cleaners.

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- 16 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  Thank you … ‘LOVED’ the vacuum cleaners! 🙂
  
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17 Ken Henriques Jr. on June 3, 2014 said:

As always you have wet my appetite. Let me know the dates.

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- 18 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  OK.
  
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19 rutakintome on June 3, 2014 said:

Brilliant! I’ve always wanted to do something like this. Kind of spooky though!

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- 20 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  Thank you! I have been attracted to abandoned places since I was a kid. I find it fascinating to imagine what these places were like back in the day and enjoy witnessing nature’s process of reclaiming them.
  
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21 Larry on June 3, 2014 said:

Reblogged this on Whereof One Can Speak.

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- 22 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  Thank you Larry!
  
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23 Robin S. Kent on June 3, 2014 said:

Very nice images, Denise. I do have an interest, but coming from DC, it may be hard and will depend on the date. But keep me informed of your plans.

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- 24 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  It will start in the morning Robin. I am not sure how many hours it would be for you.
  
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25 Vicki DeVico on June 3, 2014 said:

Denise, I love the photos you’re showing from this place. I had heard of it but have never been, so would be VERY interested in attending. Thanks for sharing and for setting it up.

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- 26 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  Great Vicki! I should have details to those interested soon. I don’t think I will have any problem filling it. Perhaps I can do it again too.
  
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27 Terry Wilson on June 3, 2014 said:

Wow, great place to shoot. I had heard of it too. I like your Adult Sized Crib image best.

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- 28 denisebushphoto on June 3, 2014 said:
  
  That’s my favorite of these 3 too Terry. Have more to come!
  
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29 Fred Lambert on June 4, 2014 said:

Denise, I would like to join the group.

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- 30 denisebushphoto on June 4, 2014 said:
  
  OK Fred. You will be among the first to get the details.
  
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31 Documenter SandyW on June 4, 2014 said:

Excellent shots and loved the location too!

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- 32 denisebushphoto on June 4, 2014 said:
  
  Thanks Sandy!
  
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33 eajackson on June 4, 2014 said:

You know I would love to join. Super haunting images…..

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34 Pat Kennedy Corlin on June 4, 2014 said:

Wowwww! Gripping images, Denise! I am have been wanting to access our local state hospital here in New Hampshire and was wondering how you gained access to shoot this location. Wouldn’t mind flying down to PA to join you on one of your next opportunities when you go back working in this building. Fantastic!

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- 35 denisebushphoto on June 4, 2014 said:
  
  I will include you when I have all the details.
  
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36 Pat Kennedy Corlin on June 4, 2014 said:

Thanks for the sneak peek, Denise. Love! Pat

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- 37 denisebushphoto on June 4, 2014 said:
  
  Thanks for coming to take a look! If you sign up to follow my blog you will get an email when I post more.
  
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38 MikeP on June 7, 2014 said:

Hey ‘D’… that chair and crib sure do make you think… I read up on the place and was really shocked. Your pics sure do bring a visual back to me. If you can please put me on your list… but you already know my problem in the summer… maybe the stars will align. Thanks

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- 39 denisebushphoto on June 7, 2014 said:
  
  OK Mike … I have sent you the information for the Private Group Photo Tour. It is already starting to fill up.
  
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40 Rich Doerr on June 9, 2014 said:

I’d like to go on the private tour, Rich Doerr.

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- 41 denisebushphoto on June 9, 2014 said:
  
  I’ll email you the information.
  
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  - 42 Russ Hunt on June 9, 2014 said:
    
    I would be interested going as well.
  - 43 denisebushphoto on June 10, 2014 said:
    
    OK — I will send you the information. It is filling up fast.
44 Joanna Patterson on June 12, 2014 said:

I would like to join you if you plan the trip on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.

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- 45 denisebushphoto on June 12, 2014 said:
  
  It is on a Sunday Joanna and it is almost full. I will send you the details when I know there are openings.
  
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46 Kevin Riley on June 12, 2014 said:

Would love to go back there! Especially with out all the sneaking around security this time .. 🙂

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- 47 denisebushphoto on June 12, 2014 said:
  
  If there are openings left I will send you the information. It is almost full. I will know better after getting the mail today. I hope to run it again too.
  
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48 Pat Worley on June 13, 2014 said:

Count me in on your workshop.

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- 49 denisebushphoto on June 13, 2014 said:
  
  OK Pat. It is almost full. I will send you the info today. BTW — it is a tour and not a workshop. I will be shooting too.
  
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50 Susanne Leist on June 15, 2014 said:

Great pictures. I can feel the pain and hear the screams.

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- 51 denisebushphoto on June 16, 2014 said:
  
  Thank you for coming in for a look.
  
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52 Ted Harper on June 16, 2014 said:

Sign me up, I crazy enough to go! Ted

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- 53 denisebushphoto on June 20, 2014 said:
  
  You are in.
  
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54 denisebushphoto on June 20, 2014 said:

THERE ARE 3-4 MORE SPOTS LEFT ON THIS TOUR. Let me know if you are interested by commenting on this blog post and I will send you the information.

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55 photography basics on August 13, 2014 said:

I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% certain. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

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- 56 denisebushphoto on August 15, 2014 said:
  
  WordPress blogs are free believe it or not. They are also quite user friendly. Start by joining and then search ‘wordpress blog tutorials’. Basically you pick out a template which they call a ‘theme’ and then go from there. There are people who blog about blogging and have a lot of tips. You will find them if you search.
  
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