Humans of New York

"I’m not a ham. I’m the whole pig." 

This boy was part of a group of four zombies. When I asked for a group portrait, the other three zombies seemed reluctant. The boy, however, immediately hit the floor. “Plans have changed,” I said. “Everybody else out of the shot.” 

"We’ve been best friends since 1967."

I found this little guy in the pumpkin patch at the Queens County Farm Museum. All those pumpkins gave me a great idea for a portrait. I thought it was a great idea. His mom thought it was a great idea. His dad thought it was a great idea. Only one person didn't like the idea. 

This little guy was riding on a crowded Staten Island Railroad car when he shouted: “Hey everybody! I’m three years old! And my mom is seventy years old!” Somebody on the other side of the car shouted back: “Can I get the name of mom’s lotion?”

          JR with the Inside Out movement and Brandon Stanton's with the Humans of New York are two similar but very different projects. JR takes a picture of the persons face and makes large copies. Then he pastes them to walls. Brandon Stanton takes photos of people and shares their story with the world. Both these artist started as street performers and worked their way up. Both of them work to send a message to the people.