Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey
This past week, I was blessed to spend time in what is quickly becoming my favorite place in the South: Natchez, Mississippi. I was in the area on business, making sales visits with local companies. Our company is trying to expand our presence in Mississippi, so I spent much of my day being charming and witty, discussing the importance of safety meetings and inspections.
Now, I'm not a natural salesman, so approaching businesses cold can be quite challenging. Luckily, the folks in Mississippi are an overly happy and welcoming bunch. Even if the person I'm talking to isn't interested in our services, they're still content to listen and quick to suggest other places that might need us.
Everyone here is so friendly and genuinely happy. I suppose when you live in a city as beautiful as Natchez, it's hard not to have a positive attitude towards life. I certainly feel it every time I get the chance to visit.
As I traveled eastward from Alexandria to Natchez, I anticipated having little to no chance to explore downtown Natchez. The rain was pouring down so heavily that it made driving a challenge. However, as luck would have it, the storms gradually weakened the closer I got to Mississippi. By the time I crossed the Mississippi River, the weather had calmed to a mild drizzle, allowing me to explore the area after all.
Whenever I arrive in Natchez, I head straight downtown to the scenic overlook above the mighty Mississippi River. The city sits atop bluffs a few hundred feet above the water, offering a majestic vista of America's greatest waterway. I find this vista incredibly relaxing. A walkway hugs the edge of the bluffs, and I enjoy strolling from one end to the other, admiring the view and letting my mind wander. It's a serene, peaceful spot that gives me a chance to meditate and stretch my legs after the long drive.
On this particular morning, I opted not to take my usual walk along the bluffs. Instead, I decided to wander through the historic downtown district. I was eager to take advantage of the cool weather and capture the essence of this charming area with my camera.
Lately, I've been reviewing my images and feeling dissatisfied. I've been snapping rather bland, tourist-like photos, without really taking the time to seek out interesting locations, angles, and subjects. Exploring Natchez this morning presented an opportunity to reconnect with what makes my photography meaningful.
I wanted to approach this outing with a loose, receptive mindset - letting the city speak to me and guide my lens. I tried to frame each scene as if I were painting a portrait, focusing on what truly captivates me. I feel I'm starting to reconnect with the artist within, and I believe my evolving images will reflect this rediscovered passion.
Whenever I visit Natchez, I experience a unique, personal sensation. I'm always overjoyed to be here, feeling utterly at home as I stroll the streets, admiring the historical buildings, and exploring the local shops. The pervasive sense of history that surrounds me is truly captivating, though I struggle to explain this feeling. In Natchez, I'm reluctant to ever leave - a reaction I've never quite had in any other place I've visited. I suppose I've simply fallen in love with this city.
Take a look at these images and see if they resonate with you the way they did for me.
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