When I think about the winter holidays in New York, Fifth Avenue shopping in Manhattan and Rockefeller Center is usually the first thing that comes to mind, rightfully so. It’s the destination for families near and far, a staple for classic Christmas movies, and the holiday spirit and energy is practically unmatched. As wonderful as that all may be, I decided to take a look at holidaygoers off the beaten path. I walked the streets of Harlem and Brooklyn in search of authentic moments as the weeks lead up to Christmas and the New Year. I ended up capturing moments that may not seem newsworthy, but these photographs highlight the life and pride of the city that I’ve grown to love.
A woman purchasing a Christmas tree in Fort Greene
A hardware store on Broadway in Bushwick
Near the waterfront in Brooklyn Heights
Court Street in downtown Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Court Street in downtown Brooklyn
Bed-Stuy’s Gates Avenue, from inside the B52 bus
Fort Greene
Men unloading Christmas trees in Cobble Hill
Bed-Stuy
The Largest Menorah celebration at Grand Army Plaza
The Largest Menorah celebration at Grand Army Plaza
The Largest Menorah celebration at Grand Army Plaza
The Largest Menorah at Grand Army Plaza
The corner of 125th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem
A stoop with Black Santa in Harlem
Dyker Heights
Dyker Heights
Dyker Heights
Dyker Heights
Dyker Heights
Dyker Heights
Dyker Heights