Appalachian Ghosts and Erased Histories with Raymond Thompson Jr.

Today we’re joined by Raymond Thompson Jr., an assistant professor in the College of Communications at the University of Texas and a photographer whose work defies easy categorization.

Originally from Virginia, Raymond has spent years documenting stories that others have forgotten or even worse, deliberately erased. His approach blends documentary photography, fine art, and archival research to uncover hidden histories. From his powerful “Justice Undone” project photographing juvenile detention facilities to “Appalachian Ghost,” which reveals the tragic silicosis disaster at Hawks Nest in 1930s West Virginia, Raymond’s work serves as both witness and memory keeper.

What makes Raymond’s practice unique is his willingness to adapt his visual style to serve each story’s needs. He moves between street photography and portraiture, traditional documentary and experimental processes, even letting his prints mold in water when the narrative calls for it. His latest book, “It’s hard to stop rebels that time travel,” explores his personal connection to North Carolina landscapes while examining the layers of American history embedded in three coastal counties.

Join us as we discuss access, intuition, the responsibility of storytelling, and how Raymond balances his academic career with creating deeply personal photographic work that challenges us to remember what we’d rather forget.