Portraits
Taking portraits of strangers is a challenge for me. I'm an introvert, so coming from behind the camera and engaging with a subject can be scary!
Regardless of whether or not I get the shot, theses encounters have confirmed that people are more than they appear. More often than not, I've found that people are kind, even the ones that say no.
Darnell and Shomari on 14th and Washington Streets
I was walking along 14th street in September of 2020 when I saw this couple coming towards me. I knew I had to ask if I could take their portrait! They were kind enough to consent.
What I enjoyed most about photographing them was their clear affection towards each other. Their actions throughout our session were relaxed and spontaneous. It was almost as if I wasn't there. I told them at the time that taking their portraits made my day!
Fun fact #1: Shomari (the gentleman on the right) emailed me a few days later asking about the images. I sent them over and they were happy with them--yes!
Fun fact #2: All told, four people consented to have me take a street portrait of them that day. It's my most successful outing when it comes to portraits, by far. How long will that be my record?street photographystreet portraitsMeat Packing District14th StreetManhattanNew York City
Esme at Marcus Garvey Park
Esme was walking down Fifth Avenue in Harlem, alongside Marcus Garvey Park, when I spotted her. Her white outfit and silver hair was like a beacon on the overcast day we found ourselves in. When I got closer I asked if I could take her photo and she said yes!
As you can no doubt tell from the pictures, Esme is a natural in front of the camera. Which was great, because I only had a short time in which to take her photo before continuing on my way to work.street photographystreet portraitsManhattanHarlemNew York City
Australian Couple at the Oculus
This is one of my first street portraits. I was at the Oculus in lower Manhattan, shooting pictures of the architecture. This couple wanted a photo together using their cellphone camera, so I volunteered to shoot it for them. I then asked if I could take their picture with my camera.
I wonder what they're up to?street photographystreet portraitsFinancial DistrictManhattanNew York City
Rick on 125th Street
This is a mural by a a graffiti artist named Shiro One. It's part of a series of murals done by a number of artists. They were completed in September of 2019 along 125th street in Harlem.
I had a lot of fun watching these murals come to life. Since they were near one of my client's work sites, I visited them several times to take pictures and video. People would see me doing this and their reactions were varied. Some ignored me, others smiled, and occasionally I would have a conversation with someone who admired the art as much as I did. Rick was one such person.street photographystreet portraitsManhattanHarlemNew York City
Tattooed Couple on Houston and Bowery Streets
I was with family down on Houston Street back in 2018. We were taking pictures of a huge mural by artist Tristan Eaton when this couple walked up with the same idea. Without thinking about it in advance I asked them if I could take their photo. And they said yes--how cool was that?!
I was nervous, but they were great models-on-the-fly. Thank you, random strangers!street photographystreet portraitsSoHoManhattanNew York Cityblackandwhite
Yolanda on 14th Street
I came across Yolanda as I was walking down 14th street sometime in late August of 2020. As you can see from the photo, she has a playful and creative sense of style. I learned later that she's a performance artist. Very cool.
street photographystreet portraitsUnion Square14th StreetManhattanNew York City
Two Friends on 116th Street
I was shooting some street art on my way to work. There's a lot with a wooden fence near one of my client's work sites that a local group called the Harlem Art Collective regularly decorates. One of the things I enjoy about this activity is that they invite the community at-large to participate. It constantly changes, so there's always something to capture.
On this day as I was shooting the mural two guys walked into the frame. When they saw me they both started dancing for the camera! After capturing their awesome dance moves I wound up taking some portrait photos of them.
You could tell that they were good friends and had a deep affection for each other. This is the type of beautiful energy I'm working to consistently capture in my photos.street photographystreet portraitsSpanish HarlemManhattanNew York Cityblackandwhite
Geraldine at the World Trade Center
The young lady in this image is Geraldine, from Canada. I was taking test shots at Liberty Park, in preparation for an upcoming photo shoot, when I noticed her.
The red in Geraldine's outfit was such a contrast to the grey and blue surroundings. I pointed that out when I approached her and she was kind enough to pose for me.street photographystreet portraitsFinancial DistrictManhattanNew York City
Ron on Houston Street
I saw Ron as I was wrapping up location scouting one morning. He was leaning against a building smoking a cigarette. He was taller and bigger than me. He also had gorgeous reddish-brown facial hair and dreadlocks. Seeing him made me reminisce about my dreads. This was how I approached him, by complimenting his hair!
See that smile? That wasn't there when I saw Ron smoking. He didn't look mean or off-putting, just "closed" in that way New Yorkers are when they're in their own head-space. He opened up so beautifully when he accepted my request to be photographed. I was honored to have taken a decent photo, despite being nervous!street photographystreet portraitsSoHoManhattanNew York City
Niasia on Morningside Avenue
Niasia was a little reluctant when I approached her for a street portrait. I couldn't blame her. This images was taken in August of 2020. The coronavirus pandemic was in full effect. People were feeling cautious, understandably so. Luckily for me she consented.
That smile! Naisia's can certainly light up a room. Taking her portrait was a great start to the day.street photographystreet portraitsHarlemManhattanNew York City
Ashir on 110th Street
I came across this gentleman one August morning in 2019 on 110th street and Broadway. I couldn't help but notice his gold colored sneakers! As I got closer, the rest of his outfit spoke to me as well. He was dressed in a kufi, blue-and-white checked button-down shirt, white pants, and the above-mentioned footwear. Clearly, this was a person with a well developed sense of style.
What was interesting is that, when I asked to take his photo, how soft spoken he was. It was such a contrast to the attention getting gear he was wearing that day.
People never stop being fascinating to me.
Barry on Houston and Varick Streets
I was walking to the subway after an afternoon doing street photography when I saw this sharp-dressed gentleman. I knew I had to get a photo!
When I approached him, Barry was genuinely surprised that someone wanted to photograph him. He claimed that he didn't take good photos! Luckily, I got a good one of him, which he seemed happy with when I shared it.
Three Ladies in Times Square
Generally speaking New Yorkers--myself included--avoid Times Square whenever possible. It's a theme park/tourist trap plopped down in the middle of one of the biggest cities in North America. It's not made for us.
What found me in this chaotic arena on an overcast day in January of 2020 was an anti-war rally. It was set to start in Times Square, then proceed south. I got there and as I was walking to the rally I was approached by the young woman in the photo. Clearly tourists--I found out later they're from Orlando, Florida--they asked if I could take their picture with her cellphone. Of course I said yes!
We had a bit of fun as I struggled to learn how to use the iPhone camera to her satisfaction. Once done, I asked if I could take a picture with my camera, to which they said yes. Afterwards, I went to the rally.street photographystreet portraitsTimes SquareManhattanNew York City
Sebastian on Dyckman Street
I was walking around the Inwood section of Manhattan one summer weekend and came across this gentleman. It was the dreads that caught my eye, along with the cool tattoos. He was kind enough to let me snap a few pictures of him. Thanks for letting me capture the moment, Sebastian!
I found out later that Sebastian has a clothing line. You can check it out here: https://www.itsasebastianworld.comstreet photographystreet portraitsInwoodManhattanNew York City
Tim on 110th Street
There's a lot of noise in New York City. As a defense mechanism, I've gotten good at tuning most of it out. However, hearing Tim's trombone playing easily got past my filters as I was making my way to work. I was actually walking inside Central Park when I caught the tunes he was playing. I quickly exited the park at Lenox Avenue and there he was. After he finished playing he told me a bit about himself. Come to find out he's from the Midwest. He's played with a group called the Kansas City All-Stars.
I enjoyed our conversation, as well as his musicianship. I hope to see him again.street photographystreet portraitsCentral ParkHarlemManhattanNew York City
Friends At The Park
In December of 2021 I took a short trip to Philadelphia. While I was there you know I had to do some street photography!
I was in Rittenhouse Square when I heard someone call out to me. It was the gentleman on the far right (his name is Shakur) with the reddish-brown beard. When I looked over he asked if I could take their picture (I guess he saw my camera as it was hanging from my shoulder clip). Of course I would!
They were a nice bunch. After a few snaps I kept exploring. And that's how I got my FOURTH of FIVE street portraits while I was in Philadelphia.
Cristina
Cristina was a street portrait I took while on a short stay in Philadelphia. This was in December of 2021.
I was strolling through beautiful Rittenhouse Square and I saw her walking with two other adults and a small child. Cristina was clearly dressed to be seen. So I approached her and she immediately got into "model mode." I have no doubt that she's used to having her picture taken.
All told, I received consent for five street portraits, and was rejected for three others, during my day of Philly street photography. Not bad!
Jessica
Another Philadelphia street portrait.
I saw Jessica's cool coat--which says, "Influencer" in giant letters down the back--from a block away. So I changed direction and approached her.
She was nice enough to listen to my request and consent to a street portrait session. She also suggested other locations in Philly I may want to see and take photos of.