And no, this one isn’t one of my meet-ups with an owner-operator or driver at the downtown Nashville TravelCenters of America location, a common enough occasion — rather, it’s from a working fine-art photographer tasked by Nashville Arts magazine to take part in the publication’s “Nashvile 6 a.m.” series. The series sends out an artist or, in some cases, a writer to document a portion of the city of their choice at 6 a.m. on any given day, capturing the perhaps less-seen portions of life there.
Stacey Irvin, for her part, chose the Nashville TA. You can check out the her photo essay at this link, capturing images not only of the good folks working the stop but also its customers on layover or grabbing a hot meal there.
From images like the one above, of the professional drivers’ counter from the point of view of TA wait staff, to driver portraits shot in-cab, Irvin’s work is the kind of honest portrait that the trucking world could use more of.
There’s a bit of good related news on that score. Irvin notes in the text accompanying the photo essay that the project has inspired her to do more with the subject of trucking: “This early morning introduction has inspired me to pursue the truck stop as a longer-term project.” The driver shown above, Kit from Pennsylvania, was among Irvin’s photo subjects. Click through this link or either of the above images for more.The TA location has been through quite a lot in the last several years. Longtime readers will remember my coverage of its flooding in 2010 — and subsequent rebuilding the following year. Page through the gallery below for images from that time period of transition.
[imagebrowser id=9]
