“Before it was all about us. Now it’s all about him.”

There was a drunk man on the train that everyone was trying to ignore. She saw that he was holding an inhaler, and offered him her seat. 

“Every country is good for different reasons. They are like different fruits. But Egypt is my favorite. Egypt is like a mango.” 

Seen in Jackson Heights

After micromanaging his own photo—a process which included several minor posture readjustments—he went on a passionate monologue about how we are living in heaven, and the earth provides everything we need, including his suit, and my camera.

There were varying degrees of enthusiasm toward the photo shoot. The youngest were gung-ho from the start, but Grandma kept trying to walk away.

Seen in Jackson Heights

“I worked hard, I was honest, I provided for my family, and I took care of my parents.”

I sat by that stroller and called out her name for three minutes: “Julia, Julia, Juuulllliiiiiiaa.” But she wouldn’t emerge. Finally this happened. 

“You get one picture, then I’m going about my business.”

Turning Pink

“Do you remember the hardest you’ve ever laughed?”
“Yes, but it’s stupid and simple.”
“What was it?”
“My sisters and I were dancing around the living room in our socks, and I tried to do a kick, but ended up throwing my legs out from under me and landing on my butt.”

One of them pointed at a passing rollerblader and said: “Why don’t you photograph him instead?” Another one answered for me:
“Because he’s not a Hasid with a chihuahua.” 

“What’s the most scared you’ve ever been?”
“When I got ejected out of a car at 80 mph.”
“Yikes. Where’d you land?”
“I landed in a tree. My friend landed on the pavement. He’s the one you need to photograph.”