The biggest inspiration for landscape photographers, you ask? For me, it’s seeing photographs that speak to my soul—images that ignite a fire within me to go out and create my own. That’s exactly how I ended up capturing one of my favorite shots, “Ghost Recital.” After stumbling upon photos of a ghost town in Nelson, Nevada, I knew I had to see it for myself. So, the next time I was in Las Vegas, I made a 45-minute detour south to find this legendary place, and it did not disappoint.

As I wandered through the dusty remnants of the past, I couldn’t believe my eyes—a lone player piano standing stoically in the open desert, as if waiting for someone to coax a melody from its worn keys. I often get asked if I hauled that piano out there myself, and I always joke, “Of course! Totally worth it, right?” But the truth is, it was already there, perfectly imperfect, claiming its place among the ruins. I can only imagine that it once graced the old saloon, filling the air with raucous tunes and laughter. Now, it belongs to the desert—a relic of a forgotten time, singing its silent song to anyone willing to listen. In that moment, I knew I had captured something truly special—a hauntingly beautiful reminder that even in decay, stories continue to echo through the years.