‘I went outside to find a friend, but did not find one there, I went outside to be a friend, and friends were everywhere’ Anonymous
Johnny and I crossed the Westside highway together. He asked me how long I had been doing this project and said it was ‘dope’! He skated back up to the city streets.
Bikash works at Subway and spends his time in the back. I call to let him know I’m there.
Mustafa gave me a free donut from his food truck. I had it for dinner, and it was FANTASTIC!
Sofia saw me taking a picture of Mustafa’s food truck, and asked if I would photograph her too! He gave her a coffee.
Ibrahim spoke Russian and we did a lot of pointing and smiling. It was such fun, we felt like we knew each other and gave each other a little hug goodbye.
I met Annie on the way to Staples to pick up a binder. Annie’s really named Anne, and she was born in North Carolina. Me tooooo! She has been here only one year. I welcomed her to the city :-)
This man stands in front of Madison Square Garden- where all of us succumb to a glorious mix and flow.
Mohamed arrived here from Egypt three weeks ago and we talked about my project through the translator on his phone. I welcomed him to New York and told him we needed him here.
Alicia must have forgotten to tell me she's a model! She helped us set up a contract for a Gotham Mini-storage unit over near Times Square. Cute pose Alicia! See you again soon!
Olivia is a cashier at Staples and rang me up for a pretty blue binder. She is studying to be a dentist!
Neil and I were both extremely frazzled about using the automated Amazon return kiosk at Whole Foods…but deep down, we know we’re awesome!
The secret’s out- Al makes New York awesome! This is at the tattoo parlor right next to my police station on 35th. Al brings his sweet family to the playground around the corner.
I took too many photos-he protested! Click click click! He stands by the the steps of the James A. Farley post office, where I mail my packages.
Rarook works a shift at the newsstand by my diner, where I used to take friends late at night to drink hot chocolate and talk about art.
After 45 minutes of disbelief and much deliberation with my husband, my psychiatrist pronounced me well, congratulated me, and said “You deserve to be happy.”
I caught this woman in the deli downstairs- a pricey shrine to exotic potato chips.
I was too nervous to even ask his name, oops! Behind him is B&H, the largest photo supply store in the country and a block from our home. It was one of the reasons we picked our apartment.
Cheikh was sweeping in front of the old A.P. news building. HYHK stands for Hudson Yards/Hell’s Kitchen, or the awkward intersection of the two neighborhoods where I live.
Kaung’s idea was to get down and peep through the little window, but I liked the reflection through the glass. I should have done both! I got the salmon bowl.
Mariah works at the Marriott next door. I once hid in the basement just below her during a tornado with a group of construction workers. It wasn't mentioned on the news.
I was sad that Thomas at Gotham Mini-storage had to miss the eclipse due to work. I watched it later online and cried.
My first visit to the Easter parade!
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This outfit inspired me to start thinking of a costume for next year. I wonder if she used a vintage pattern and fabric? Notice the faint 70's flower on the right ear.
I caught these wilting beauties just as they were leaving the parade to go home.
This boy was striking a John Travolta pose for me! What adorable little bunny teeth.
A magical tree fairy towered over the crowd.
We all felt like children again, all rejoicing.
My sister Mary wants to have a meal with this fox creature. I told Mary that she herself would be the meal!
This reveler's hat brim was so huge that for a moment I was under it too!
How many years have these women been attending this parade together? I imagine them primping beforehand in a room at the Plaza.
The sunflower ran zig-zag down Fifth Avenue, with all of New York trailing in her wake snapping photos and laughing.
Briyana let me up to see my friend Patricia on the fifteenth floor. Patricia, a senior in my ward, invited me to 'just sit with her'.
This young man was so excited by my message that he makes New York awesome! He pressed me to take his pocket money as a gift and pretended to take my picture too.
It's weird how patchy my neighborhood is. I'm torn between the beautiful glass skyscrapers, the mall, the Highline, and the New York I can afford.
Charles is working the parking lot across from the convention Center. I bet nobody is stealing cars today.
Lois your smile transcends boundaries!
He said I could take his picture, but then became extremely shy, so I couldn't get his name.
How were the items in this cart chosen? What made them desirable to the person who gathered them?
While I was taking pictures here a while back, two white men tried to mug my husband and I. We ran to the Westside Highway and were fine.
Believe it or not, that balcony up there is the Highline. The back side of Hudson Yards down the river still hasn't been developed.
Someday this beautiful complex will reach down to the river where I am standing.
Sky, the lashes! Wow! Keith, she stole the spotlight. These two just came in on the Bolt Bus and are waiting in line at a food truck down by the river.
The Hudson River trail has been improving for so long that it now makes a beautiful green necklace around the isle of Manhattan.
Met some new friends on the trail- We struggled to communicate, and they were laughing at me :-) I am challenging myself to photograph friends.
I met this man from Ecuador on the trail. He came to the U.S. to be with his lonely sister and keep her company. We spoke Spanish. It is a struggle for me to do, and now I want more practice.
I learned it's ok if people don't want to smile. I am grateful anyway, and they feel that.
A bit of wrapping paper I found in the blank journals section at the bookstore. I got my 'reporting' notebook there.
Heading home in the tunnel from the L to the A after checking out children's books at the Strand
When we were in the suburbs, we would go out like this to grab the paper off the dewey lawn.
Tom Otterness decorated the entire subway station at 8th and 14th St. with brilliant little surprises. I feel like I'm still discovering them.
Officer LaDolce shows my block some tough love :-) Actually he did smile for some!
Peter works in a newsstand over on the next block. I never even saw it was there until I walked by it with my camera. He was so nice and give me his warmest smile. We took several pictures.
My husband noticed this place, so we looked inside....
Victor's one-seat barber shop! $35 for any men's style. (I need a haircut really bad and I don't trust Groupon)
And now at 48 I see this picture and realize I have buck teeth. I asked my husband why he didn't tell me before! He just said 'It's not a big deal.'
Mouhamed gave me a banana in exchange for my card.
As per usual, I left my husband on a street corner when I ran over to Omar’s food truck for a photo. Food truck people are… People people!
There's a different New York City for every citizen. We see what we need to see.
Bird- check! Will has got the whole package. My husband spotted him by MoMA.
Hey Aredam, I want the double cone with cherry dip just under your arm! Am I right?
Numi wasn't upset with me, and when I told her the pictures were just for me, she gave me her biggest smile!
Cheers for the people who don't want to look, but still let me take pics. Thank you sir!
This man was on a trip to celebrate his retirement. I asked him if he wanted a copy of the photo and he said everyone took pictures of him, so he had plenty!
Christian works at the beauty supply shop by the Strand. When I walk by, I heave a sigh for all the beauty secrets no none will come forward and teach me.
I earnestly want to know what makes the lacy fronts on the wigs so helpful? I have heard it said, but don't know how to use that. It's a hurdle....
I adore this lime look.
Will works in Forbidden Planet, the city's largest and most iconic comic book store- it's at Union Square. I even sold a comic there once!
She thought I'm was a random stranger. But that was me at seventeen! She whipped her head around at the last second, and the other two looked away.
Discount books outside the Strand- for those who have non-buyer's remorse
Anin pulled out a miniature camera and took a photo of me too.
Tyson rocks the breeze in Time's Square. He said yes faster than I could ask him. Go Tyson!
Victor is a runner with a green thumb. "I'm in my thirties and I'm living my best life! I've been here three weeks! Where is the subway to Brooklyn? Oh my gosh I love you!"
Travis and Zoe travelled from Baltimore to get an album signed by KISS. Travis was so cold!
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He did his best for me :-(
Manny J. is a bike messenger. I recommended he keep the mask on.
As a girl I would visit the city with my family of eleven. I saw Native American flute performers for the first time. Before you knew it, we could all play the pan-pipes.
A portrait of a job well done.
Saray poses like a model because she IS a model!
Adamsa wanted me to make an animation of her spinning around!
I found Jabari and his quiet friend in Chelsea near my favorite bagel shop. But let's not argue about the best bagels in New York City.
This is my first street photo! Taken on February 14, 2024 outside a Basquiat exhibit. The unidentified man hides a smile under his handlebar moustache. I saw it when I zoomed in close.
This woman gave my husband and I the wrong directions, and we all got lost together!
Diana is a massage therapist and an entrepeneur. We met outside a dim sum restaurant. I don't need to tell you that she is a ray of sunshine!
For the 20 years I have lived in the building, John has never worn a thing but white.
This cute couple was just coming down from the Empire State building. It was very windy up there! He told me Ireland has a lot of rain! Now I know why the photos of it are so amazing.
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