Because Small Towns Still Matter

Why I'm Doing This Project

Hi, I’m Justin Tedford—a photographer, author, veteran, and lifelong Iowan. I grew up exploring the Loess Hills and now spend my days chasing light down gravel roads with a camera in hand, documenting the beauty and complexity of the rural Midwest. My work focuses on the overlooked—quiet places with loud stories.

The Last Town Over is my latest project, and it's a photographic journey through Iowa’s smallest towns—places where the population signs barely hit 500, if they’re even still standing. These are the towns people drive through without stopping, unless they need gas, bait, or a tenderloin the size of a steering wheel. But to me, they’re worth slowing down for.

I’m doing this project to preserve what’s being lost—not just buildings and businesses, but the culture, character, and quiet resilience of small-town life. These communities matter. They have stories to tell, and through my lens, I want to help tell them.

Your support will help cover the costs of making this project happen—fuel, meals on the road, lodging, and everything else that comes with chasing the next town over. In the future, I plan to turn this work into a book, weaving images and stories together to honor these places in print.

It truly means the world to me when someone donates. I know times are tough, and I’m forever grateful for anyone willing to support this project. You’re not just funding photography—you’re helping keep the heart of rural Iowa alive.

And who knows—you might just find yourself in The Last Town Over.