The Cedar Lodge: A Visual Diary of Survival
Photographer’s Haunting Visual Diary Recounts Chilling Encounter with Yosemite Killer
A new photography book, The Cedar Lodge, uses chilling imagery to tell the story of a family’s terrifying brush with serial killer cary Stayner.
Chicago-based photographer Maya Meissner first captivated me with her story in 2019. During portfolio reviews at the Filter Photo Festival, she unveiled plans for a unique project: a visual diary chronicling a deeply personal and unsettling experience. Meissner’s tale involved a narrow escape from the clutches of Cary Stayner, the infamous “Yosemite Killer,” in the late 1990s.
This year, Meissner’s vision materialized in The Cedar lodge, a stunning and intimate collection of photographs that speaks volumes without uttering a single word. The book, comprised solely of evocative images, culminates in a brief insert providing context for the haunting narrative. The eerie photography and design promptly signal that this is no ordinary collection; it’s a powerful documentary of a deeply personal and sinister encounter.
In 1999, Stayner, a handyman at the Cedar Lodge motel near Yosemite National park, brutally murdered a woman and two children. Authorities later discovered another female victim. Months before this horrific crime spree, Meissner and her family stayed at the Cedar Lodge. In the dead of night, a man attempted to break into their room. Meissner’s father bravely confronted the intruder, scaring him off.
Over a decade later, The Cedar Lodge serves as a poignant visual testament to that harrowing experience. Meissner’s imagery and design choices are carefully considered, demonstrating a profound sensitivity towards the victims and their families.
In her dedication, Meissner acknowledges the profound impact of this event on her family and the victims: “For my mom for sharing her demons with me and bravely letting me share them with the world. For my dad,for being our protector and encouraging my adventures. For my sister, for being by my side through it all. And most of all, for Carole, Juli, Silvina, and Joie.”
A Haunting encounter: Interview with Maya Meissner
NewsDirect 3: maya, your book the Cedar Lodge is both powerful and unsettling.Can you tell us what compelled you to revisit this traumatic experience through photography?
Maya Meissner: The experience itself has always been a presence in my life. It wasn’t just the attempted break-in, but the atmosphere of unease that lingered afterwards. For years, I wrestled with the “what ifs,” the lingering fear. Photography became a way to confront those emotions, to give them form and try to make sense of them.
NewsDirect 3: The book is intentionally devoid of text,relying solely on imagery to convey the story. What led to this decision?
Maya Meissner: I wanted the viewer to experience the story on their own terms, to step into the silence and unease. words felt intrusive, potentially diminishing the rawness of the experience.
NewsDirect 3: Your dedication mentions several individuals, including the victims of Cary Stayner’s crimes. Can you elaborate on the importance of acknowledging them within your project?
Maya Meissner: My experience, while terrifying, pales in comparison to the tragedies those families endured. It was crucial to me that this project be a tribute to them, a recognition of their loss, and a reflection on the ripple effect of violence.
NewsDirect 3: “The Cedar Lodge” is more than just a personal story. What larger themes do you hope readers will take away from the book?
Maya Meissner: I hope it prompts reflection on vulnerability, the unseen dangers that can lurk beneath the surface of normalcy. It’s also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the ability to find beauty and meaning even in the darkest of experiences.