What Remains is a series about leaving things behind.
Whether it is a partner who leaves unexpectedly, a young woman leaving childhood for marriage, a brother going off to the army, or a young girl abandoned and forgotten about in her room, leaving or being left behind can be a painful and traumatic experience but can also create space in your life for something more brilliant.
Photographed in the small town of Hillsville, Virginia, it is poignant that many of these photographs were taken inside a notorious murder house which now stands in a state of disrepair and abandonment. Peeling wallpaper and holes in the floor are what remains of what was once the most grandiose house in this small town.
The birdcage that features in all of the images is a metaphor for leaving, and both freedom and entrapment.
- “Childhood’s End” Photography by Cari Hill (Now Becoming Then)Modelling by Mikki Marvel – Actress/ModelMakeup/Hair by Ben Anaya, Marjie Taylor, Jess WeeksVenue: Sidna J Allen Home, Hillsville, Virginia
- “The Sisters” He pushed his way into both of their hearts and for that they would leave him forever.Photography by Cari HillModelling by Julie Baker, Rachael Baker, and Oscar BurtMakeup/Hair by Ben Anaya, Marjie Taylor, Jess WeeksLocation: Hillsville, Virginia
- “Where Ends Meet” Photography by Cari Hill (Now Becoming Then)Modelling by Mikki Stith (Mikki Marvel)Location: Sidna J. Allen Home, Hillsville, Virginia
- “Familial Sacrifice” Photography by Cari Hill (Now Becoming Then)Modelling by Marsha Denill, Bristal Upchurch & Will VlasicLocation: Rita Hannus Edlein’s parents house in Hillsville, Virginia
- “When You Lose the Love You Loved the Most” He understood that if she didn’t love him now, she would never love him again so why fight her decision to leave him? He would never love again but at least this way one of them would be happy.Photography by Cari Hill (Now Becoming Then)Modelling by Julie Baker, Bradley Pedler, and Oscar BurtLocation: Sidna J Allen Home, Hillsville, VirginiaHair and makeup by Jess Weeks, Marjie Taylor and Ben Anaya
- “Second Chance” In the moment she chose to end her life there was no pain, fear, hatred or judgement; just an overwhelming sensation of love, compassion and unity. She understood then what life is, and was being offered a second chance. A chance to come back into her life as it was with the newfound knowledge she held, or to continue on her path to a new incarnation, and begin again.Photography by Cari Hill (Now Becoming Then)Modelling by Bristal Upchurch and Oscar Burt-ShearerMakeup/Hair by Ben Anaya, Marjie Taylor, Jess WeeksVenue: Sidna J Allen Home, Hillsville, Virginia
- “The Day She Died” The papers printed suicide, and rumours flew.Depression, insanity, rejected by a lover or two.But in her life she had never driven a day,and the drivers side door was wide open they say.The case was shut before her blood had turned cold,to be remembered as the girl who refused to get old.Photography by Cari Hill (Now Becoming Then)Modelling by Julie BakerLocation: Rita Hannus Edlein’s Uncles PlaceHair & makeup by Jess Weeks, Marjie Taylor and Ben Anaya
- “The Parting” Photography by Cari HillModelling by Mikki Stith & Oscar BurtMakeup/Hair by Ben Anaya, Marjie Taylor, Jess WeeksVenue: Sidna Allen Home, Hillsville, Virginia
- “The Pink Room” Photography by Cari Hill (Now Becoming Then)Modelling by Bristal UpchurchMakeup/Hair by Ben Anaya, Marjie Taylor, Jess WeeksVenue: Sidna J Allen Home, Hillsville, Virginia
- “The Wrong Love” Intimacy. Passion. Lust. Turmoil. Jealousy. Obsession. Murder. How quickly young love can turn dark. Do they feel safe in each others arms after witnessing what the other is capable of?Photography by Cari Hill (Now Becoming Then)Modelling by Keith Thomas and Marsha DenilLocation: Farmhouse, Hillsville, Virginia