FARGO — A local photographer is on day 97 of what he calls a photographic journey through the United States.

Mark French is capturing images from every state in the lower 48 in a year as he works to support an organization that helped him when he needed it the most.

The Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch helped guide him to where he is today.

“I just gotta tell you that being out on the road has been absolutely beautiful,” French said.

French likely never imagined he’d be venturing out on a journey all over the United States while growing up in Grafton, North Dakota

After running into trouble as a teenager he was sent to the Dakota Girls and Boys Ranch in Minot where life created a new path for him.

“They were able to present to me, or show me, the path that I was on and where I was headed. And they gave me the ability to have some other options and make some better choices,” French said.

He joined the U. S. Air Force in 1981 and was stationed 70 miles from London. It was there he bought a Canon F1 camera and found a passion for photography.

“I would drive the back roads in England, you know single-lane roads, looking for cathedrals, looking for historic structures, graveyards. You know that you would see just a photograph and, you know, I discovered that I just love trying to compose something,” French said.

During retirement, French decided to turn a 42-year-old bucket list idea into a reality, setting out on a quest to see the beauty of the lower 48 states.

“I always had in the back of my mind that before I get too old or before I die, I need to be able to do something big in my life, for me, for no other reason, just to say I can do it,” French said.

So far he’s traveled 13,000 miles through 12 states, spending nights in his car. French says he has not only been amazed with the places he’s seen, but with the different people and stories he’s heard as well.

“The people, the places, and the things. What started out as a photographic journey has really morphed into so much more. I feel like I’m being enriched every day just by the interactions that I’m having with people,” French said.

He hopes to one day speak at youth facilities about his journey and help create a different path for others.

French is funding his travels

through the sale of his prints.

You can learn more

on his website.

A portion of each purchase goes to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.