Gathering rust: The derelict blast furnace of the Carrie Furnaces in Rankin, Pennsylvania, which have been left abandoned since they were shut down in 1982
Decaying: The Carries Furnace are among dozens of abandoned buildings documented by Philadelphia photographer Matthew Christopher
Doing time alone: The rusting cell blocks of Essex County Jail in Newark, New Jersey, which have been unused since the prison closed in 1970 when a new one was built
Ruins: A building of the Julia de Burgos Magnet Middle School in Philadelphia, which was left to deteriorate after systematic neglect before closing in 2002
Matthew, 35, began his journey to document abandoned sites a decade ago while researching the decline of the state hospital system.
Matthew said: 'I want to be able to convey the respect, appreciation and awe that I have for the locations I visit. Trying to tell someone about a place conveys so little compared to being able to show it to them.
'My favourite part of exploring ruins is that to me, it is peaceful. I can focus on what I am seeing and experiencing rather than being wrapped up in my thoughts all the time.
'Discovering new or intriguing places, finding something you know not many people have seen, or managing to get permission to somewhere you'd really like to see are also a lot of fun.
An undisclosed prison: Matthew says he likes discovering 'new or intriguing places, finding something you know not many people have seen'
Crumbling: Matthew's focus has broadened to include the ruins of American churches like this undisclosed one, schools, theatre, hospitals and hotels
Out of service: An organ sits among the debris inside the disused Church of the Assumption in Philadelphia
Mission statement: Realising that words alone could not adequately convey the condition of these buildings, Matthew embarked on a journey to photograph them
A cafeteria at undisclosed prison: Matthew says his job is sometimes scary, especially if a place is structurally unstable
'These places also help me appreciate the comforts of the waking world when I return to it.
Realising that words alone could not adequately convey the harsh realities of institutional care, Matthew embarked on a journey to visit and photograph the crumbling state schools and asylums all over the U.S.
Ten years later, Matthew's focus has broadened to include the ruins of American infrastructure, industry, churches, schools, theaters, hospitals, prisons, resorts and hotels.
He Added: 'The Baltimore Gas and Electric's Westport Power Station was a favourite of mine, but I love different things about each place I've visited.
Treading the (rotting) boards: The interior of an undisclosed theatre shows the wide variety of buildings and institutions that have been abandoned for various reasons
The show can't go on: This theatre appears in far better condition than others, suggesting it has only recently been emptied
Flaking: Matthew has gained international attention and is considered a leading expert on urban blight and efforts to preserve America's endangered architectural history
Hardly five-star: Flaking ceiling and peeling wallpaper inside a room at an abandoned hotel, whose identity has not been revealed
'Sometimes it can get scary, especially if a place is really structurally unstable, that would probably be my biggest concern. I also don't want to get murdered for my camera gear or arrested.
'There have been several occasions where I have had close calls with security and police, but thankfully nothing that has ever proven to be a long-term issue.
'I try to be very quiet and careful to avoid anybody when I am photographing a location, and if I do run into anyone am polite and respectful, I try to get across the fact that I am not vandalizing, damaging, or stealing anything. I have been lucky that so far that has been enough.
From Taunton State Hospital in Massachusetts to the US Air Force's aircraft graveyard in Tucson, Arizona, Matt's extensive collection of derelict sites is one of the largest ever amassed.
Where time stands still: An abandoned clothing factory still with all the machinery on tables as if it were left yesterday
Forgotten over time: A building once owned by the Packard motor car company, which produced its last vehicle in 1958
End of an era: Packard was founded by James Ward Packard and his brother William Doud Packard in the city of Warren, Ohio, in 1899
An unnamed retirement home: Matthew says he is lucky to have a family that has been very supportive of his work all along
His work has gained international attention and he is considered a leading expert on urban blight and the efforts to preserve America's endangered architectural history.
'I do quite a bit of research about the locations to try to find them. I also get tips from people who follow my work, and network with others who have similar interests.
'I am very fortunate to have a fantastic family that has never discouraged me from doing what I do and has been very supportive of it all along.
A trolley graveyard: Matthew, 35, began his journey to document abandoned sites a decade ago while researching the decline of the state hospital system
Heritage hero: Matthew says his goal is to find new ways to makes sites more accessible and raise money for maintenance and restoration efforts
Looking at the bigger picture: Photographer Matthew Christopher (pictured) is trying to find ways to preserve America's decaying architecture
'Many of my friends are the same way, although there are certainly those that just don't find it interesting or follow it as much and we get along for other reasons.
'My current goal is figuring out new ways to make sites more accessible and raise funds for site maintenance or restoration efforts, as well as continuing to add to the amount of locations I photograph.
'I am typically pretty busy, always working out how to take things one step further and help people understand what is so important about them, both historically and in terms of their cultural significance to our own era.'
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