Mike Belleme is a Swannanoa, North Carolina-based photographer who is capturing the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina for major outlets like The New York Times.

Belleme is a self-taught, Appalachian-born documentary photographer, whose work intimately examines themes of connection and community and the physical, mental, and social constructs that cultivate and inhibit connection. In addition to The New York Times, his photos have also appeared in Rolling Stone, Time, The Guardian, National Geographic, and many more publications.

In this episode, Belleme talks about some of his own experiences during the storm, his work capturing Helene’s impact, and a few of his other projects. Belleme also discusses how he builds trust with his subjects in a polarized environment, the emotional challenges of navigating the storm’s aftermath, reckoning with climate change at his front door, and more.

Mike Belleme’s Work

mikebelleme.com

@mikebelleme on Instagram

Capturing a Community in Ruin: After years of documenting the effects of climate change in his home state of North Carolina, a photographer found himself in the path of a hurricane. (The New York Times)

Asheville Has Tap Water, but No One Knows When It Will Be Drinkable (The New York Times)

“Mise-en-Scène: The Lives and Afterlives of Urban Landscapes”

Americans share their greatest fears (CNN)

Also Mentioned

Asheville’s water situation

Biltmore Estate

River Arts District

Malaprop’s

Chai Pani

Visit Asheville’s tips for visitors

Blunt Pretzels

Fairview landslides from Helene that killed 13 were among worst in North Carolina history

The Nook

Theme Music

The song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.