Lexi Wilson- Brian Ulrich

Brian Ulrich is an American photographer known for his exploration of consumer culture. He takes photographs mainly in big box retail establishments, thrift stores, and empty shopping centers or dead malls. In his pictures involving people, he wants them to act as a portrait evoking a sense of empathy. He'll find an interesting frame, and wait for someone to walk into it. His work is mostly done with available light, and he uses an 8x10 camera.

In Ulrich's work, he captures the narcotic hold of shopping over American consumers. His project, Copia, is divided into about 3 parts. The first part, Retail, focuses on shoppers engrossed in the abundance of goods. The second, Thrift, shows thrift stores and the mass amounts of unwanted goods. The third, Dark Stores, shows the impact of the financial crisis of 2008 as he explores abandoned malls or buildings. In his work, he invites the viewer to think about the relationship between what consumers want to buy and what they want to leave behind.