The Pennhurst Asylum in Spring City and Bates Motel in Glen Mills are among the places Misty Keasler photographed for her book, Haunt, that attempts to show what truly frightens people, writes Jordan Teicher for The New York Times.

Keasler started photographing haunted houses three years ago, but encountered difficulties as people are usually only frightened in the heat of the moment.

“A direct visual translation of the experience of being in a haunted house falls really flat,” she said. “It just doesn’t work with straight photographic documentation.”

[uam_ad id=”52851″]

Advertisement

Instead, Keasler focused on scenes where viewers are more likely to feel unease and dread rather than outright terror. The scenes include a room for electroshock therapy at Pennhurst Asylum and the exterior of the Bates Motel.

Haunted houses, according to Keasler, allow people who live quietly to feel the sensations that come with being at risk.

“It’s interesting that we only have fun in being scared if we know deep down that we’re safe,” she said.

Read more about Misty Keasler’s book in The New York Times by clicking here.

[uam_ad id=”58329″]