Thirteen years can change a town, its people, and the memories we carry. Yet some places linger, shaping who we are. For me, that place is Oneida, New York — where I spent my middle and high school years, formed friendships, and discovered myself.

This photo project grew from nostalgia, not just for the town, but for the feelings it gave me. Returning after more than a decade, I found a place both familiar and changed. Buildings were gone, streets shifted, and quiet stillness had settled in — but the shift wasn’t sad; it was grounding.

Photographing these spaces became a conversation between past and present, a way to honor what was while appreciating what remains. This project isn’t about reclaiming the past but acknowledging its lasting impact. Through light, shadow, and familiar streets seen anew, I found closure, gratitude, and a quieter, enduring connection to Oneida.