Saved by Street Photography: The Long-Lost Friend

Issue 03: December 2022

“Every photo is a story and a life that reaches far beyond the four edges of the frame.” - t.rich

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In early 2021, I began venturing into the city specifically to do street photography. I did this because of a strong desire to connect with others after more than a year of covid lockdowns and ingesting misleading and dysfunctional narratives on social media that, rather than uniting us in our time of common difficulty, attempted to pull us apart and into a mindset of anger, fear, and divisive separation. The narrative it seemed was enticing us to judge and condemn one another, rather than to offer love, compassion, and understanding. And so I needed to get out into the world and prove to myself that the divisive and fear laden narrative that had become so prevalent in our mainstream society was not only incorrect, but being propagated on purpose. I needed to prove to myself that, contrary to the narrative, there are still good people in this country and in the world. I decided that during this new street photography adventure, for however many years it might last, I would treat everyone I meet like a long-lost friend.

On a warm and beautiful early summer day in June of 2021, while exploring with my camera on the Lower East Side, I came upon a man working in an urban garden behind a fence. There was something about him that made me raise my camera and begin snapping pictures. I snapped off about three or four before he noticed me. I motioned to the camera in my hand and he gave a reassuring nod. I snapped off a few more quick shots before he asked me what I was shooting for. I told him that I was just trying to figure it all out, and that more importantly, I was trying to find the good in this world and prove to myself that it really does still exist by capturing it in a photograph. As if in disbelief he said, “And you’re taking pictures of me?” “Yes my brother, I’m taking pictures of you.” I chuckled.

I introduced myself and asked about the amazing garden he was tending to. I mentioned that gardening seemed to be a creative, positive and healthy outlet in these uncertain times that we’ve all been living in. He told me his name was Jersey and without being prompted, went on to tell me about the recent loss of his mother: "I lost my mom back in the very beginnings of Covid, but not from Covid.” He said. “The hospital screwed up and let me upstairs to see her and I was there for a good five minutes before they realized and I got thrown out. And thank God she knew, if only for a minute, that her son was with her at her bedside and that she wasn’t alone. It was the last five minutes I ever got to spend with her."

This amazing and positive interaction between two “strangers” continued for a good twenty minutes before I continued on my way looking for some more interesting people and scenes to capture.

The next day, while at home looking at the photos from the day before, my wife came into my office and I pulled up the picture of Jersey. I began to tell her about our interaction and didn’t quite realize the effect it had on me until that moment. I could barely get through the story. I was overcome with emotion and began sobbing. I had found a true empathic connection with a man with whom I had just met, and that I had only ever spent around thirty minutes with. A man who I only knew by the name “Jersey.” A man who I will probably never see again. And a man whom today I really do consider a long-lost friend.

So in your own travels dear friends please try and remember, that we’re all just trying to find our way in this crazy world, during unstable times, and that one simple act of kindness, even if it is only a moment of warmhearted eye contact, or a smile, can make all the difference in a life. We all have struggles that we’re dealing with; that we’re trying to find our way through. Imagine a world where instead of holding each other down with anger, hatred, judgment, and condemnation, we lifted each other up with a lot more forgiveness and understanding. It’s never too late to begin this. So starting today please be good to each other. Care for one another. Listen and try to understand. And treat everyone you meet like a long-lost friend, because that’s exactly what they are.

Coming in January 2023… Issue 04