Dominic Cellini sitting in the shade on a sunny day on May 28th, 2022. My brother was asked to sit as still as possible for this set of photos; so he did his best to sit comfortably. Photograph by Jonathan Cellini of Penn State University.Craig Cellini standing in the shade on a sunny day on June 7th, 2022. My dad is masked here since he has been living elsewhere for work during the pandemic.Dominic Cellini glancing at phone in a dark room lit only by a projector on June 5th, 2022. Dominic has to keep a fairly active social media presence as part of his work; leading to him glancing at his phone a lot.Dominic Cellini sitting in chair backlit by infrared heating lights on June 7th, 2022. The red light created a naturally, highly saturated red image even without major color corrections.Craig Cellini sweeping his aunt and uncle’s driveway on June 11th, 2022. My dad often helps out our great aunt and uncle in their old age with various minor tasks; including very minor maintenance.Laura Cellini posed with fist under chin on June 15th, 2022. Despite her busy schedule, my mom was able to find time to help with my portrait assignment.Dominic Cellini drawing an old mansion as part of his comission work. Despite working from home, his schedule still requires several hours focusing on a single project in order to meet deadlines.Dominic Cellini working from his room as seen from the hallway. This frame is a common sight to see passsing through during the day.My dad’s friend Tiger Henderson looking at his back yard on June 26th, 2022. Tiger was specifically asked to stand under the archway for the image to appear silhouetted.Jack Kennedy playing in the pool with his son, Deckland on July 2nd, 2022. Deckland is just learning how to swim.Ultimate Frisbee player narrowly misses frisbee at Southern View Park on Thursday, July 14th 2022. This player attempted to leap towards the frisbee to catch the disk, but landed just short.Ultimate frisbee player prepares to intercept opponent catching a frisbee at Southern View Park on July 14th, 2022. The game was conducted as a publicly organized Illinois Ultimate Frisbee competition.
Photo Story
Growing up in Springfield, Illinois, my home town takes great pride in having shaped the life of one of our nation’s greatest leaders. Indeed, Abraham Lincoln had left a great impact on this region of central Illinois; and given how many places here are preserved in his name, I wanted to chronicle the footsteps Lincoln took as seen through the eyes of today as well as both how much and how little has changed since his time.
As I worked through this project, it dawned on me how prior to entering the political stage that Lincoln’s life was fairly unremarkable in that he lived just as any person today lives. He was not a person born to be special; but rather his experiences and lessons shaped him towards an extraordinary path. A path so revered that our town still works to preserve the legacy to this day.
A wooded path in New Salem Illinois photographed on July 31st, 2022. This is the path Lincoln would have explored the village through.One of the many houses of New Salem Village on July 31st, 2022. Most of the buildings erected were replicas made based on excavated materials found on site; though this building is said to have been one of the original structures.Bed with quilts and a cradle with dolls inside a New Salem Village home on July 31st, 2022. Though Lincoln did reside in New Salem, he did not have his own home and would often board with other families in exchange for labor; the inside of this home would have been the types of places he would have stayed.The Berry-Lincoln store sign in New Salem Village photograph taken on July 31st, 2022. During his time in New Salem, Lincoln partnered with business man, William F. Berry to run the local shop; though this sign appears to have seen better years.Linclon’s Springfield home as seen from the street corner on July 28th, 2022. The house is a restoration currently located in downtown Springfield and is where Lincoln would have resided during his time in Springfield.A forklift and wagon on the street where Lincoln’s Springfield home resides on July 28th, 2022. The neighborhood as a whole has seen a number of restorations over the years and is continued to be preserved for history.The Lincoln-Herndon Law Office building as seen on July 23rd, 2022. This is the building where Lincoln worked as a lawyer along side his partner, William H. Herndon. Visible on the far right walking distance from the offices is the old Illinois State Capitol building where Lincoln would present his cases before the Illinois Supreme Court.A replica of Lincoln’s iconic top hat resting top-down upon a desk at the old Illinois State Capitol on July 23rd, 2022. It is within the capitol building where Lincoln practiced his career as a lawyer. The wear on the brim of this hat reflecting the wear of Lincoln’s work.The Old Illinois State Capitol building as seen from the front on July 23rd, 2022. This building is a complete restoration of the original with even more restoration work being done on the dome. This building was also the location of Lincoln’s “House Divided” speech.An actor reenactment of Abraham Lincoln making his announcement to run for Senate at the old Illinois State Capitol on July 23rd, 2022. This event was meant to occur outdoors; but was moved inside due to extreme heat. The reenactment also worked in elements from Lincoln’s famous “House Divided” speech which was also delivered at the capitol building.Reenactors of the 114th Illinois Volunteer infantry marching towards the Lincoln Tomb at Oakridge Cemetary on July 19th, 2022. The flag being held is to be lowered during the ceremony out of respect for President Lincoln.Reenactors of the 114th Illinois Volunteer infantry positioned along side an image of Lincoln in front of his tomb at Oakridge Cemetary on July 19th, 2022. The infantry were conducting military drills as they prepared for the flag lowering ceremony.Illinois scouts paying respects during the flag lowering ceremony at Oakridge Cemetary on July 19th, 2022. The event was open to the public throughout the summer with actors in period-specific clothing also in the audience.Abraham Lincoln’s tomb at Oakridge Cemetary as seen at dusk on July 19th, 2022. Lincoln was burried in Oakridge cemetary as his final resting place in May of 1865 along side his son, Willie; who died three years prior, but had his body moved next to his father. Photograph by Jonathan Cellini of Penn State.
