It might come as a surprise to you (if you’re used to looking at my photos) that I was born in a big city. My photos don’t have that “big city” feel to them. I’m not an urban/street shooter at all, in fact, if you had to guess, I bet you’d place me square in the country or maybe, just maybe in the ‘burbs (where I actually live.) But not the city-never the city.
It’s true though, I was born in New York, one of the biggest cities on the planet. Even though it’s not reflected in my work, it’s certainly part of me. Somewhere, deep in the back of my mind, is that urban city dweller screaming to get out. She’s on every fire escape, she rides every subway train, she stops to sniff the produce at every corner market and, yes, she even hops out that old familiar hopscotch pattern when she walks by chalk marks in that shape on the sidewalk.
I like to think there’s a little “city” in all of us. Humans are civilized creatures by habit. Sure, the dank, dark, caves have turned into modern day high-rise condos but, call it instinct or just survival, we are all social creatures on some level. We all yearn to fit in, even if it means squashing ourselves into a subway car to get to work each day or giving up a yard in favor of a community park and an elevator.
So, go ahead, call me a city girl. Just don’t expect me to go shooting any street photography or “strap-hang” in the next subway car over anytime soon.
Until next time…
