The beauty and brawn of Maine

(Canbra Hodsdon)

(Canbra Hodsdon)

(Canbra Hodsdon)"In this day and age, fewer and fewer people have the patience, tolerance, and hardiness to withstand [the Maine winter], let alone live in it," says Hodsdon, "so I work to visually expose them to it."Though she now lives outside of Boston, Hodsdon was born and raised in the "vacationland" and her project, Northern Customs, is a personal, ongoing exploration of the state that uses its most brutal season as inspiration.

(Canbra Hodsdon)

(Canbra Hodsdon)

(Canbra Hodsdon)Hodsdon also photographs Mainers she grew up with — family, friends, and neighbors — who have a special connection to the landscape. By photographing the individual, Hodsdon captures the spirit of the state."The core elements of being a Mainer are unity, helpfulness, and respect," she says. "With that welcomeness comes automatic respect. They are not quick to judge."

(Canbra Hodsdon)

(Canbra Hodsdon)In her reverent landscapes, the harsh indifference of the season is transformed into something worth cherishing: Proud pine trees stretch out of frame; delicate tree buds break out of their cocoons; even stacks of timber carry a solemn nobility."I want outsiders to see there is more than meets the eye," Hodsdon says, "that a single place can inspire people to live with a deep connection to the land because they appreciate and respect it."

(Canbra Hodsdon)

(Canbra Hodsdon)

(Canbra Hodsdon)To see more of Canbra Hodsdon’s work, you can check out her website, or follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.