Dave Higgins Photography

From early childhood I remember numerous family visits to old New England cemeteries. During these visits we would seek out interesting old gravestones, trying to gain from the names, epitaphs and dates of birth and death a sense of the lives and times commemorated.

I still visit cemeteries, but now I seek out interesting modern gravestones and cemetery folk art. What do these artifacts tell us about the people remembered? And what insights into life today do they bequeath to those who will come after us?

The title of this project derives from part of a popular epitaph on old (and some new) gravestones:

“Stranger pause, as you pass by. As you are now so once was I.
As I am now so you must be. Prepare yourself to follow me.”

Over the past few years I’ve posted several galleries for this project. This is a collection of some of my favorites.

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(Clicking on any image will open a slide show.)

Girl With Phone – Texas (2017)

Butterflies – Vermont (2015)

Wood Figure With Ball — New York (2019)

Ranch Scene – Texas (2015)

“Cookie” – New York (2017)

Flowers & Softballs – Texas (2018)

A Mom’s Message – New York (2013)

Message In The Earth – Texas (2013)

Grave Curb – TX (2013)

“Miss You” – Texas (2014)

Gone Together At 19 – Texas (2019)

Toy-covered Grave – Texas (2015)

Cherub With Toy Cars – Texas (2015)

Laptop – Texas (2013)

Mower – New York (2014)

Emblems Of Today – New York (2019)

Dewars Bottle – New York (2011)

Pilot – New York (2016)

Actor – Texas (2016)

Member Of The Band – New York (2017)

“Top Cop” – New York (2014)

Paratrooper – New York (2012)

Passenger On Flight 93 – New York (2012)

“Miss You, Love You, Fun” – New York (2014)

Fire Truck & Figures – New York (2014)

“Right On Schedule…” – Texas (2012)

“Don’t Squat…” – Texas (2012)

Bet The 5 In The 5th – New York (2017)

Life Questions – New York (2017)

“As You Are Now So Once Was I” – Texas (2015)

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All photographs are © Dave Higgins and “Dave Higgins Photography,” 2019; all rights reserved.