Just Another Summer

Thoughout its history, the city of New York has been no stranger to catastrophe. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought forth hardships worldwide, which include civil unrest, economic instability, declining mental health, deaths, and more. While many of these are still on-going and experienced today, New York City was been the epicenter of the virus in the United States since its first reported case in late February 2020.

If one had the opportunity to visit NYC between the months of March and May, “unrecognizable” or “sad” were a few words used to describe the city due to findings of massive business closures and empty streets as residents either quarantined, relocated, or simply abandoned their homes.

Summer in New York is notorious for its energy and the streets truly come alive from its introduction. Typically, one would expect outdoor activities, beach days, parades, tourists, concerts and festivals, and crowded park space to name a few. Leading to its arrival, many casted doubt or grew curious on how the Summer would look like for New Yorkers amidst a pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Just Another Summer is a photographic series of New York’s slow awakening after months of a citywide lockdown. This project poses to shine a light of hope through a dark time in history. A simple rebuttal to the opinion, “New York is Dead Forever,” and proving to disbelievers that New York is far more than just a place. The city embodies perseverance and the human spirit. Together, we can overcome anything.

The self-published book has sold-out copies throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Several individual photographs and series derived from the book have received numerous awards and accolades from the Paris International Street Photo Awards, Chromatic Photography Awards, and the Annual Photography Awards respectively.