It sounds like quite the notable achievement when you put all those things together in one sentence – which, in blunt, purely human terms, feels satisfying. Though superficial, the highlights you mention, and of course the work that they’re associated with, makes me feel as if I could stop everything right now and still feel like I truly made the most of my life whenever it is I find myself saying goodbye. After the recent few years of devoting my entire being to the making of Coincidences, the birth of my daughter, the deflating, sobering reality that comes after a book’s promotional period has ended, and the general lack of clarity that we all share on what life will look like after the pandemic, I nearly do feel like setting down the camera to focus on the huge changes ahead. But not a bone in my body would allow it.
So, right now, I’m taking it day by day, recording life in New York under quarantine for several magazines. I’ve enjoyed being unexpectedly thrust into the deep-end of editorial work and would be ecstatic to continue pursuing it in the future under brighter conditions. I have high hopes for the success of a feature-length documentary about contemporary street photography that I co-star in, made by the marvelous Tim Huyn. I hope that once that’s released, it opens up more opportunities for me to promote the changing face of street photography in mediums that will reach different audiences – and, of course, I love working in front of the camera as much as behind.
In a completely different direction is the apparel line made in collaboration with design prodigies Lone Elephant. They reached out to me with the most unique invitation I’ve ever received and couldn’t resist giving it a shot. Two years later and we’re just starting the launch, already selling out, and planning for future fashion lines in the seasons to come. Who would’ve thought that would be a thing? I’m also in the early stages of a new book with a big publishing house, which is still a few years away from release. Though I can’t say much yet, it won’t be anything like my first book, which has been exciting to work on so far.
All of these endeavors that may consume my next five years will be rooted in photography, of course. And it’s in this art form that, if I’m brazen enough to admit, I have a goal of grabbing the attention of MoMA, releasing more monographs, continuing gallery shows and licensing deals, and even maybe leading a production company for fashion/editorial projects. Lofty goals, I know! But those are what got me here, talking with you, in the first place. And they’re what help me keep my head above water whenever anxiety about the historic moment in history we’re witnessing threatens to keep me in bed. After all, I really do believe that art will be our best way to make sense of it all and move forward as a society when we’re on the other side.