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ATTENTION STRANGER THINGS FANS - THIS ONE'S FOR YOU.
Both #projecthawkins and #funkosonlocation have been a near 7 year photo project for me.
It's something I've put countless hours, a lot of money and a TON of passion into.
I hope my project is something you all enjoy and continue to follow!
WHAT BEGAN AS A MINI WEEKEND TRIP, DRIVING FROM TAMPA TO ATLANTA TO SEE SOME FILM SPOTS, HAS NOW TURNED INTO A NEAR 7 YEAR ON-GOING PHOTO PROJECT, A COLLECTION BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS, A SMALL BUSINESS AND OTHER UPCOMING PROJECTS - ALL THANKS TO A TV SHOW.
Alright, let’s see if explaining it this way will work...
I’ve tried writing this a hundred times, trying to fit as many relevant details in as possible, but it was just so much to read on the receiving end. Basically, I’m just cutting it down to the bare essentials.
So I’m an 80’s baby, and the 80’s and 90’s times were just different. I grew up in the best time possible (in my opinion) for kids to grow up in. We had the best toys and video games. Best bikes. Best movies. Best music. Eventually we got a Blockbuster. Shit was crazy awesome. Growing up in the 80s/90s builds a lot of character in so many ways, it’s hard to explain.
Growing up I had an older brother. We've been best friends since I was born. We always had the same interests when we were little, which was usually video games, dinosaurs, dangerous outdoor activities (like building our own sketchy bike ramps), karate, music and of course, movies. My mom actually gets all the credit for the movie category. She had the best taste in movies – Alien, Commando, Top Gun, The Terminator – sci-fi central, but also lots of fantastic dramas and comedies in that collection too. I remember watching George Carlin and Eddie Murphy stand ups with my dad when I was really little too. Basically I grew up watching what would become 'The Greats' and icons to the 80's era. We were definitely one of those families that always watched movies. Music was also a big thing in my household growing up. Dad always had on classic rock or country, and mom’s variety was basically everything except hair bands.
My brother always handed me down all kinds of cool shit, but for the most part we mostly just shared everything. But even with sharing, I always had my own stuff too. Mini collections of all kinds of stuffs. I had Popples collections, Lisa Frank stationary & sticker collections, rock & mineral collections – but never any Barbies or super girly shit. The things I collected were very particular to me. I only collected what I liked, sometimes not the most popular stuff, but I didn’t care. I just liked collecting things I liked and took really good care of those things. But, man, I can really throat punch myself for not hanging onto all my Lisa Frank stuff throughout the decades. That shit was my absolute jam. We’re talking like shoe boxes full of just different Lisa Frank envelopes and stationary. Probably my most serious collection. I never used it, just collected it. Ugh – super sad memory, as I wish I still had it.
But while some collections were short lived, and some I honestly have no idea what happened too, I always wanted an amazing toy collection. I never had a lot of ‘toys’ really, just wasn't that into them. I guess I was just too into playing outside or playing video games. Like I said, the times were different. But one day, I always dreamed of having a sick toy collection, never thought it would actually happen though.
Through the teenage years, cars and racing had my full attention. Must have started with those damn Scholastic Book Fair Lamborghini & Porsche posters back in elementary school. But really it started with collecting Hot Wheels cars after seeing exotics in Dupont Registry. Where I lived growing up, no one had a super car or really anything close. Super Street magazine inspired me to really get more in depth with cars and racing. Engine swaps, motorcycles, turbos, speed...that was life for quite some time for me. Dumped a lot of my early 20s money into ‘big girl toys’ like my cars and motorcycles and dirt bikes. I literally didn’t care about anything else at the time, plus my Hot Wheels collection was legit too by then.
But responsibilities set in, ya know. That 2nd time losing your license for unlaw speed really stings. It was just getting too expensive of a hobby for me by that point, plus it was also really dangerous and getting me into trouble. So, I started taking photos of cars racing instead. Been frequenting Bradenton Motorsports Park since I was probably in middle school, but in my late 20s and early 30s it was all I really looked forward too. Worked lots of race events there, collected hundreds of thousands of photos from over the years. It was a place where I watched my photography skills grow, and it was also a place that made me want to do photography full-time. Eventually, I got into family photography and have been doing it ever since. Which brings me to next adventure.
My brother kept telling me about this show I needed to watch before we all went to Halloween Horror Nights (in 2016) called Stranger Things, because if I didn’t watch it I wouldn’t understand the haunted houses (good point). So my husband and I started watching it one night and I ended up literally binging that same night. I WAS HOOKED. Had every 80’s reference, music and other easter eggs I used to obsess over. Then HHN came around and the Stranger Things house was insane. The 2.3hr wait in line was worth the 3 minute walk-thru.
Fast forward to a month later from HHN, and my brother’s like, “Hey want to go up to Georgia for the weekend to go see the Stranger Things film spots?” I mean how the fuck could I say no – this is literally mine and my brother’s favorite thing now. Of course the first thing I thought of was the amount of photos I was going to take while visiting. We drove up on November 6. Didn’t know it at the time, but it was National Stranger Things Day (and also the day Will Byers goes missing). We stopped at the school, the boys’ houses, the lab and then headed to our hotel, which was unbeknownst to me at the time, right next to Gwinnett Place Mall – aka Starcourt Mall - which just happened to be a new filming location for season 3 and they were actually filming! Didn’t get to see any live filming, but got to see most of the interior mall set, got yelled at for trying to take photos even though there was a huge sign that said NO PHOTOS or else, blah blah blah. Anyways, we stayed there for 2 nights and the last day we were leaving was when they filmed the scene where the helicopters land in the parking lot at the mall in the rain. We had left that area earlier before that scene had started filming, and heard they were filming at the arcade, so we went there, saw tons of filming stuff and staff, no cast members everyone was frantically packing up and running around because a huge storm was about to come through. We ended up driving a lap or 2, saw Steve's BMW, then headed home. We almost died on the way home too. The storm was so bad, it spawned a tornado that went right across the interstate about 2 miles ahead of us...at night....in the dark....trees everywhere – absolutely terrifying.
Upon getting back home and organizing my photos, that’s when I found out about Funko Pops, and now I had to have ALL of them. In comes the newest obsession – COLLECT ALL THE STRANGER THINGS FUNKO POPS. Some time had gone by and I had snagged some, but they weren’t really available unless you got them on Ebay for like 5x their worth. It was a costly decision, but I started buying.
I looked at those photos from the trip nearly everyday, already had some printed and up on my office wall. Then trip #2 was in the works. This time, I had my grandmother’s old Polaroid 660 that I was bringing with me. She used to take pictures of us with it all the time. I wanted to get at least one shot of each place with this camera specifically, but I had no idea if it even worked. I grabbed a pack of regular white framed color film and took a chance. If it worked, awesome. If it didn’t, oh well.
Up until that trip I had found way more filming spots. I would sit at home, on google maps, literally looking up and down the streets in and around the surrounding areas of Atlanta for months. I’m not kidding you, I was extremely dedicated to finding the spots no one had been to yet. I’m not 100% sure, but I think I was the first one to find the Byers House, the pool and town hall from season 3.The 2nd trip up was a laundry list of locations, also including some spots from Cobra Kai, My Cousin Vinny & The Walking Dead. I was fully prepped with my DSLR again for traditional shots, but I couldn’t wait to get those super 80s looking Polaroids if the camera works properly. I started to call this whole photo taking journey 'Project Hawkins', considering this was only the second time we were going up, but already knew we would be frequenting these spots for years to come.
Hawkins Middle School was the first spot that I was able to throw that pack of film in and hit that shutter on the Polaroid. I took 2 back to back shots. Same spot, same angle, like 3 seconds in between each other. If you want to know how they turned out, check out #projecthawkins. Meanwhile, the photo collection of film spots was added to with abundance. I swear, I probably took a photo of every angle of the school property while walking around, but also the same for each other location. I love photographs, especially printed photos. I’ve always been the picture-taker-er. Now with having digital cameras with tons of memory, it’s easy, but with the Polaroids, I get one shot of my favorite angle from only one focal point and that’s it. Cool to think how far documentation possibilities have come.
During the drive home in the backseat during trip 2, I had plenty of time to recap while scrolling thru my newest shots, and then an idea pops in – I'm bringing some Funko Pops with me next time. But then it hit me, I was going to have to take them out of the boxes. Now, some toy collectors take everything out of the box, some collect them in the box. I’m the kind of collector at this point that never took them out of the box. I sat there and thought about it the whole ride home. If I take them out of the boxes, the monetary value goes down and they risk being dinged up, scratched or ruined. But if I leave them in the boxes, I’ll never be able to take the photos I want to take for an on-going project that’s already been going on for 2+ years.
It was worth the risk. Trip 3 was the birth of #funkosonlocaton and one of the most mapped out assault plans I’ve created on how to execute this project as efficiently and effectively as possible within the allotted amount of time and weather permitting. I brought every ST Funko I had on this trip, probably 30 or so. Took them all out of their boxes super carefully, placed them all in a big rubbermaid in my trunk and headed to Georgia. Get to location 1, it starts to rain 5 min into being there. Location 2, I forget the list of shots to-do in the car. Location 3 – forget to bring certain pops with me. Location 4, forgot to take certain shots. I mean, I got done what I wanted to get done, but sometimes it’s just not as easy as it sounds. More than half the time, I’m actually just trying to get the damn Pop to stand up for more than 2 seconds before it falls over and I have to reset again and again. Gets pretty frustrating. Some of these places you can’t even park or get out, just a quick drive by, stop, snap picture, drive off. For those places I have to have the Pops in my lap ready to go.
Fast forwarding to current times.
In a nutshell, I’ve been back and forth up to the film locations at least 6 or 7 more times. I’ve added countless photos to my collection, including shots for both #projects, and of course a TON more Funko Pops. I think I’m like 9 Stanger Things Funko Pops away from the complete set, but those 9 would probably cost me close to a couple thousand dollars, and honestly, I just don’t want them that bad. I’ve also started collecting props from the show, like Joyce’s phone, Nancy’s Trapper Keeper, almost every camera used from each season. My brother even got me the Heath Kit Ham Shack radio to add in last Christmas. My collection basically takes up a huge section of my room, so much so, that most is just sitting, piled on top of each other and in rubbermaids. Basically I just need a whole room to dedicate to this collection that has snowballed in the best of ways. I’ve also started collecting other Pops too, some Necas and mainly anything retro. My Hot Wheels collection is probably a few thousand by this point also. Old habits never really die.
Regardless, I’ve created the most amazing toy collection, created amazing memories, documented those memories in a series of photographs and made multiple HUGE scrapbooks to showcase it all so far. Not to mention, this small business called I Love Nerdy Shit. These trips really brought back my hardcore, inner nerd. I don’t care, I nerd the fuck out about Stranger Things. Ask anyone who knows me. I’ve gotten so nerdy about ST over the last few years that I’ve even started writing a book about it, filled with easter eggs, film spots, general trivia and even a trivia game for each of the 4 seasons. Once season 5 comes around, which is the last season, I’m sure I’ll wrap the project shortly after. I mean, I definitely have to get the new Pops once they come out and bring them to the new spots too, right?
Insane how all of this started because of one TV show.
Stranger Things has inspired me to just be more of myself. To enjoy the things that I want to enjoy, do the things I want to do, collect the things I want to collect, no matter what. It’s inspired me to try to inspire you too. Be nerdy. Don’t do what everyone else is doing just because. That shit has no substance. No long-term. But passion – passion is long term. Passion drives you. Passion comes from within. Follow your passion, you really never know where it can lead you.
My Stranger Things Funko Pop collection going location to location for my most favorite photo project ever! Scroll down to check it out!
Journey to the real Upside Down! Visit nearly EVERY filming location throughout every season so far!
This cabin is more than just a quick photo op. Read below on how to get inside.
Polaroids. One of a kinds.
These are my prized pieces right here.
This is hands-down my favorite photo project I've ever done, and honestly, most expensive. And it's still not complete.
#FUNKOSONLOCATION brings nearly every Stranger Things Funko Pop to almost every real-life filming location from seasons 1-4.
The first time I did these shots, I had it fully mapped out. I had a list of which ones were needed at each location and specifically where, while at that location, this way I could have them as close to on-screen scenes as possible, if possible., without wasting any time. and especially without forgetting to take photos of them. I also wanted to make sure i had enough time to take some landscape shots of each place, and also time to actually enjoy being there and not just rushing through it.
This project seems like such a simple thing, but in reality, it's pure chaos while trying to get some of these shots. Not all the film spots are 'hangout' spots. Some you can only just drive-by because they're located on private property. And honestly, some places you really shouldn't even get out of your car at all. Please remember that even though some of these shots were taken at the actual filming locations, they were most likely taken YEARS ago, when times and places were different.
The chaos that ensues during one of these trips goes just like this - me, pulling over at or near film spot in my car, scrambling through a large rubbermaid in my trunk that's full of loose ST Pops, shuffle thru while trying to grab the appropriate ones off my list, grab my camera, grab my keys, try to get the Pop to stand up and not fall over, take a bunch of shots from different angles, set up another one at a different spot, repeat cycle. For example - while at 'Bradley's Big Buy' we could take our time. I had a medium sized tote bag that I kept about 5 different Pops in while in the store so it was easy to negotiate between Pops per photo spot - BUT- at the 'Lab' - whole different story. Sometimes there's filming going on (tons of stuff gets filmed there) or the gate is closed. If the gate is closed, you can pretty much park at the very front entrance and walk all the way back. One time I did this with a medium size rubbermaid FULL of every demogorgon I had, plus Brenner, some different Elevens, Bob and Hopper. Sometimes you get kicked out. Sometimes they don't care if you're there, as long as your respecting the property and not being loud or trying to go inside. So basically, it's hit or miss. Sometimes it's even raining. I can plan it as much as I want but it never really goes as planned. And somehow, I always forget to do one or 2 shots.
Beyond the chaos, the end results are always worth it. As each season goes by, new locations always come up, new Pops come out, and the project starts all over again. Sometimes I always just retake the same shot with the same Funkos just to keep as a time lapse of the same spot. It's going to be this way, no matter how many times I get to visit these spots.
With season 5 getting ready for production, I'm excited to see more new locations, and to also try and locate them, but mostly I get excited for new Pops! Hunting for them in stores is also a big part of the project too, because sometimes you can't just buy them online....
For a quick time line of the below photos - it took almost 2 years to collect and plan, the first shots for this project were from late 2019 and the most recent were taken Nov 6th weekend of 2022 closer to the bottom. This project is still current, as my most recent visit was just this past year on November 5, 2023.
NOW THIS PROJECT....THIS PROJECT IS MY BABY.
During one of the first trips up to the ST film spots, I brought my Grandma's old 1981 Polaroid 660 Land Camera with me. Had no clue if it even worked, so I grabbed a pack of color 600 film from Target and said a prayer.
Hawkins Middle School was our first stop, and it was the perfect landscape for a testing of the camera. We parked near the front of the school, I got out, popped in a pack of film into the camera, walked over to the left side of the school gym and snapped 2 back-to-back shots. The wait for them to develop was KILLING ME.
At this point, I knew I should've brought more than just one pack, but honestly, I just didn't have the extra money at the time. (Just some trivial info - Polaroid film packs are only 8 shots per pack. EIGHT. Price range is generally $20-$25 per pack.)
Directly after I took the shots, I put them upside down on the center console of the backseat where my coffee was. We walked around the school a bit, took a bunch more photos with my phone, and then got back in the car. I couldn't believe my eyes when I flipped over those 2 Polaroids. They actually developed and looked FANTASTIC. The roller marks on both shots made me smile ear to ear. That AUTHENTIC VINTAGE look was exactly what I was hoping for. The lighting that day was absolutely perfect too. Crazy how 2 shots, taken right after one another, from the same exact spot look completely different. One of the main reasons I love Polaroids. I ended up taking a few more shots - 2 at the Lab and 2 at the Wheelers house. I gave one of each of the doubles to my brother since he was on the trip with me. Those photos are very important to us and have a ton of meaning behind them.
Since that trip, I had my eye on the Stranger Things Upside Down Limited Edition Polaroid Camera, but unfortunately it was sold out at first nearly everywhere I looked. Ebay prices for the camera were ridiculous, and the ST film - yea, forget about it - I'm talking like $50-$100 per pack on Ebay back then and they were sparce. Eventually I found a decently priced new-in-box camera for around $400. (yes, $400 lol, i know...) I also snagged a set of ST film for a cool $76 on Ebay shortly before the next trip up to use with the new ST Polaroid.
Soon enough, we we're heading back up to Georgia again. Another round of film spot visits,
multiple photo projects planned, and lots of other exciting stuff to visit too. I had a laundry list of shots to take this time. Which Pop characters at which location and where, which Polaroid shots to take at each location, plus my normal stuff to take pictures of as well. I was equipped with an over excessive amount of camera gear this time around. One bag included my DSLR, my ST Polaroid, my Grandma's vintage 660 and of course, my phone camera. I got a black frame set of film for the 660 and had the ST film for the ST Polaroid. This time when we had gone up, it wasn't 'Hawkins Middle School' in blue with the tiger paw. It had been repainted! It was now 'Hawkins High School' in a completely different color scheme and the whole top was painted. I had a list of photos to do here, thinking it was going to say Middle School still. This had my whole idea literally flipped upside down. This time I just had to wing it. Oh well, still here, still get to take cool photos.
This trip I had knocked out a whole pack of 8 black framed, color Polaroids from the 660 on just the front of the gym. The ST film was split up into a few locations, basically 1 shot from each location. Some of the black frames I did upside down, and they look so awesome.
The next mission - to find Mrs. Wheeler's Polaroid that she uses in seasons 1 and 2. In season 1, she uses it to take photos of Mike before the Snowball dance, and in Season 2, she takes the photos of him before trick or treating in his Ghostbusters costume. Fun Fact - I have a friend who actually has those Polaroids from the show, the one's Cara actually takes from the camera, fingerprints and all, yea, I'm totally not jealous at all or anything though....
Come to find, out after extensive research, this particular Polaroid is extremely RARE. It's a Polaroid One Step Flash in beige. Why is it so rare? Still can't find the exact answer. I can barely find out anything in general about this one other than it's just very rare. I shopped Ebay for what felt like years looking for this thing. Every. Single. Day. I just had to have it to add to my collection of other ST replica cameras.
But patience and persistance paid off, and I came across one from an estate sale on Ebay. Seller had no idea if it worked, wanted a quick sale, I offered $25, got an accept on the offer and BAM! Mrs. Wheeler's Polaroid was on it's way to my collection. Now, is $25 a good price? Well, I had no clue if it worked, didn't really care about the condition as long as it was the actual camera, and I don't really think the seller had time to investigate whatever items they had from whatever estate sale they were selling, but I would say its a solid steal of a deal regarding just the rarity factor of the camera. When that thing arrived, I couldn't rip that box open fast enough. I could not wait to see it in person. I was completely shocked once I took off the bubble wrap. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY MINT. Threw in a pack of film and POW! Out came a beautiful shot. I couldn't have been more lucky on this deal.
Next trip was already in the works, and as usual, I had my battle plan mapped out for each stop. As you can imagine, I had a heavy pack of photo equipment stashed in my camera bag, all the above listed prior plus my new weapon - Mrs. Wheeler's camera. Not to mention all the Pops I brought for #FunkosOnLocation project. This trip was gonna be bananas. So many photos to take, so little time. As per Polaroid pack bought for this specific trip - here it goes..
1 pack of ST film
2 packs Green Monochrome w/ Black Frame
2 pack color fromes w/ color film
3 packs color film w/ white frame
As of right now I have 79 Polaroids in my #projecthawkins collection.
This last trip's film expense was silly expensive. 8 packs of film for 3 different cameras used. Paid $104 for a pack of ST film off Ebay specifically to use in the ST Polaroid again. Plus $40 per pack of the green monochrome packs for the 660 and the others for Karen's Polaroid - those packs were just general priced packs from Target & Walmart for like $23-$25 each.
Including the cost of the new cameras used, film used, travel expenses, etc. - this project has roughly cost me at least $2500? Maybe more? Not too expensive, but not cheap either. 10000% worth it.
These Polaroids are literally my most prized Stranger Things possessions. To me, they are completely priceless. I don't plan on selling them, ever. I have an album I keep them in and I basically look through them at least a few times a week. They are my favorite pictures and they have an amazing story behind them.
This project will also continue Oct/Nov '23.
TO VIEW THESE PHOTOS, PLEASE SEE MY INSTAGRAM HIGHLIGHTS AND PINNED POST.
This cabin is way more than just something to take photos of from the outside because it's actually an escape room!
Yes - you can get inside Hopper's secret cabin, and yes - it really is the same one used in the show! For right around $35 or so per person, you can reserve you very own hour-long group session INSIDE the cabin! I've done it twice, and escaped both times with our group, but it's definitely not as easy as you think! I won't give away any clues or scenarios on how it works, because the last thing I want to do is ruin any part of the experience! A party of 8 is usually the max during the session and it's a team effort to escape!
Also on the property is 'Merrill's Pumpkin Patch' where Hopper digs in to get to the upside down. The last time we were there, which was a few years ago, you could see the exact spot where Hopper digs the hole. We also saw pumpkins just starting to grow too, which was really cool! Depending on the time of year you visit, you can even go home with your very own pumpkin!(Except without the flies and yucky stuff, of course.)
The staff is always so kind, and are very accommodating for especially for large groups. We went with a group of roughly 20, and they gave us more than enough time to really enjoy the experience since they split us into 2 groups. While one group was in the escape room, the rest of us wondered to the pumpkin patch, took lots of photos, and basically just enjoyed the time spent at one of out favorite show's commonly filmed at spots. When you first walk into the cabin, it's such an awesome feeling. You really feel like you're inside the show. It's decorated nearly identical too, and has all kinds of neat treasures.
The escape room is recommended for ages 10 and up, and it's not scary by any means at all, and also requires a 4 person minimum to book. Sometimes, depending, you may be in with another group too, as it's about 8-10 guest maximum, per session. Below are photos from my most recent visit in 2021 (I think).
If you plan on visiting any of the Stranger Things filming locations -THIS IS A MUST SEE! You will no doubt have an unforgettable time, no matter what age!
For more info on Sleep Hollow Farm, click the below link!
This page is taking me a little longer than planned to get finished up. I was hoping to have this done by my launch date, but I just need a little more time to get this all organized. There are so many locations and I have shit tons of photos to go through still. Stay tuned, nerds!
Hawkins Middle School
This shot is the first photo I took from visiting the school location from my very first visit on November 6, 2017.
Hawkins High School
This shot was taken at my most recent visit on November 5th, 2022.
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