Arlo McWhorter

My name is Arlo. I’m a 16-year-old Washington, D.C.-based urban explorer and photographer. I travel where I can to capture the most captivating and raw moments from places most people would never venture into.

I got into the exploring and photography game 2 years ago and I have not looked back since. The exploring lifestyle is a thrilling and emotionally demanding experience for many. However, for me, framing these moments is worth the risk and serves as my favorite way to express this passion.

Photography has been and continues to be my favorite way to escape from the complicated, busy life of a high school student. I hope to inspire people through my work and keep evolving as a visual storyteller.

Statement

I chose this selection of works to emphasize these liminal spaces and the nostalgia I feel while immersed in them. My artistic value comes from my photography and the stories told by the places I visit.

The feeling you get when you enter these lost spaces is unmatched by any other sense in your body. This includes the decaying and surreal environments that are frozen in time. The feeling of these areas—the musk, dirt, grit of abandoned buildings—makes them so beautiful and entertaining.

Beautiful things don’t ask for attention and won't get any unless explorers find a way to capture them. My mission is to present my work in a way that fuels curiosity and encourages people to get outside and explore the world while we still have it. #staylocal