As the Midwest summer unfolds, it becomes easy to get swept up in its fast pace. The long days fill with plans, and before we know it, August winds down, and the crisp air of fall arrives. Amid our busy lives, though, there’s something worth pausing for: the small details around us, the fleeting beauty we often miss.
This set of photographs offers a glimpse into that beauty—the little things, the everyday wonders that we might overlook as we rush from one summer activity to the next. The delicate bloom of wildflowers, a shiny beetle crossing the driveway, the curve of a fern tucked in the woods—these images shape our summers in quiet ways. Each frame tells a story, reminding us that even the most ordinary moments hold significance if we stop long enough to notice them.
Summer in the Midwest has its own rhythm—one of simple joys, like a breeze that rustles the fields or the cool splash of lake water on a hot afternoon. Yet, in our rush to fill the days with everything summer has to offer, we risk missing what’s right in front of us. This collection asks us to slow down and look closer. To see not just the grandeur of a sunset over a lake, but also the intricate pattern of light filtering through the trees or the way an orb weaver spider spins its web.
These photographs remind us that even though summer has passed, the details and small wonders invite us to look back and appreciate the season’s fleeting joys. As the colder months settle in, let these images inspire you to carry that sense of mindfulness and reflection forward—to notice the beauty around you, no matter the season.
