Born and raised in Southern Maryland, Haylie Norris is a digital photographer graduating from Salisbury University in May 2020. She finds passion in contrast and color, but also has a love for eerie black and white scenes. Haylie primarily uses natural light among all of her photo work. She has a unique eye, typically photographing the unexpected. She has a great amount of experience in film photography as well as graphic design. Haylie has won several art awards for her photography, most recently including the Myer’s Award for Photography. When she’s not behind the camera or editing photos, you can find her out on the boat with friends and family.

Artist Statement

My photography captures eerie and dramatic scenes in everyday architecture. I typically use strong contrast derived from natural light sources and shadows to my advantage while focusing on both the inside and outside of structures, giving my work the power to demand attention. I enjoy the essence of black and white photography when it comes to these abandoned subjects because I feel as if it adds to the dramatic essence – the idea of finding beauty in decay and bringing light to unfinished stories. 
Ever since I was young, I’ve had a strong fascination in abandoned homes and old, weathered barns. I couldn’t come to terms with the thought that so many people didn’t even take a second out of their day to look over at one while driving down their daily route and not think of what it could have been before some sort of tragedy happened. I fell in love after pulling over at one in my hometown one day and taking a peek inside. Someone built a life in these homes, these factories, these stores. What once was everything to someone, quickly became a fading memory, an unfinished story.

Work