In January of 2019, photographer Mark Nycz set out on a two hour drive to the small town of Alton, Illinois to photograph a professional ninja. This was the start of a 12 month journey that would take him all across southern Illinois. Within the pages of this book are portraits of the people he met along the way, including a conservation clown, storm chaser, chocolatier and a War of 1812 reenactor.
Local Element: People and Places of southern Illinois Vol. II features over 60 full color portraits. All proceeds from this book will be donated to the St. Francis CARE Animal Shelter. They are a non-profit, no kill animal shelter in Murphysboro, Illinois.