Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Nicholas Valentino, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), sees it as an opportunity to bring graveyards to life by photographing cemetery scenes with his iPhone 7S Plus camera phone.

Making his way to the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Nicholas Valentino, from Albany, New York, pulls into the small parking lot and walks towards the myriad of tombstones around him. He drops on his knee to capture low angle pictures before contorting to a different position. After he finishes up his shot, he advances through the cemetery freshly inspired to capture the haunting stillness with his camera.

Valentino, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), sees it as an opportunity to bring graveyards to life by photographing cemetery scenes with his iPhone 7S Plus camera phone.

"I got this phone mainly because of the camera it has," said Valentino. "Apple added a new camera feature called portrait mode, which lets you take super focused photos, and they come out pretty sick."

Valentino has gone to different states, such as New York, Louisiana, New Orleans, and the District of Columbia, to photograph different cemeteries.

"It's pretty relaxing in places like this," said Valentino. "A lot of people usually get scared of the concept of dead people so it's a real low-traffic place, which is perfect for me. There's less noise and people to deal with."

Valentino is building his portfolio on social media. His Instagram account has over 900 followers, and people are constantly asking him how he gets these fantastic shots.

"They'll ask me question like what settings my photo is at, or what kind of camera I own," said Valentino. "They're usually surprised when I don't have a professional camera or when I don't know about half the settings they mention. I just take a photo of things I think look cool. Pretty simple stuff."

One of his goals as a photographer is to have a picture of every presidential tombstone. So far he has one of James Monroe, Ulysses S. Grant, George Washington, John F. Kennedy and Chester A. Arthur.

"There's only up to two presidents in one graveyard," said Valentino. "I'm planning it out so that in six months, I will have traveled around the states and complete this collection of mine."

While he strives to finish his goal, he'll be bound to take more photos that he seemingly brings to life through his photography.

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