These images are part of an ongoing project about nomads who travel to the deserts of the southwest for extended winters. It’s an examination of what home means in 21st century America.
Every year from November to April, thousands of snowbirds and nomads arrive en masse to the desert looking for sunny dry weather and stay in either vast stretches of public land where they park their RVs or all-inclusive resorts with many kinds of activities.
Nomads are part of a big and very stratified subculture made of people of all ages who have very different backgrounds. Some travel for necessity, others for passion. Some do it only seasonally, others are permanent wanderers. Many travelers I crossed paths with told me that the thing that they love most about their life is the relationships that they create with other people and the communities that are born at every stop.
I started to work on this series in 2020, when I moved to Yucca Valley, a desert town two hours east of LA, just outside Joshua Tree National Park. This area is also one of the most popular spots among nomads. I continue to roam around the Southwest to meet new folks, as well as acquaintances I met these past few years.
I’m still exploring the meaning of home, as almost everyone I meet is on a quest to find a sense of “home” despite their location changing frequently.
Some images from this project were awarded 1st Place Professional Winner in the People/Lifestyle Category at the International Photography Award (IPA) in 2022.
I am currently traveling with my family in our RV to keep working on this project. We will be on the road until next spring driving through Southern California, Southwest Arizona, Nevada and Baja California.