Talisman

Currency for the Afterlife

Work-in-progress

Documentary photographs of how people express themselves through talismans, exploring identity, ritual, and personal symbolism. Made during spontaneous encounters on the streets of New York.

We used to wear jewelry to pay the toll to the gods on the way to the afterlife. Now, the reasons for wearing them skew more recreational and aesthetic. The reasons have changed, but the talismans remain.

Hijabi woman wearing gold earrings and jewelry photographed on a New York City street
Hijabi woman wearing gold earrings and jewelry photographed on a New York City street
Woman with partner wearing diamond choker photographed in Manhattan
Woman with whipped cream smeared on her face and earrings photographed in Manhattan
Portrait of a woman wearing a gold necklace shot during golden hour in Manhattan
Portrait of a back of a woman's gold necklace shot in Manhattan
Portrait of a woman wearing a gold necklace and earbuds shot in Manhattan
Portrait of a woman wearing a gold necklaces over a black sweater shot in Manhattan
A young woman shows off her mother's belt buckle with her jeans.
ATC_3007 copy.jpg
Portrait of a woman wearing a gold necklace and beads in Manhattan
Portrait of a woman wearing a gold necklace shot in Manhattan
Portrait of a woman wearing a gold necklaces and feathers shot in Manhattan
Woman wearing a necklace with a large religious pendant in New York City
Woman wearing multiple tiny gold chains on a New York City street
Woman wearing a large symbolic neck adornment on a New York City street
Person wearing multiple gold charms and chains photographed on a New York street
Person wearing a gold pendant during golden hour photographed on a New York street in Soho
Person plays with her gold pendants photographed on a New York street
Young woman smoking and wearing a gold pendant photographed on a New York street
Portrait of a woman wearing multiple personal rings and necklaces
A young man adds a sprout charm into his afro
Young man wears his mom's pearl choker
Woman wearing a fine gold bracelet photographed on a New York street in Soho
Portrait of a woman wearing multiple personal talismans and necklaces
Portrait of a woman wearing a large, costume necklace in gold
Portrait of a woman wearing multiple personal charms and necklaces over a blue tshirt
Man wearing a necklace with a religious pendant in New York City
Man wearing a necklace with a large gold pendant in New York City
Man wearing a necklace with a multiple charms in New York City
Woman wearing a tiny gold necklace with a pendant in New York City
Woman wearing a large gold breastplate with in New York City
Woman wearing a necklace with a tiny aquamarine pendant shot in Brooklyn
Woman wearing a pearl choker necklace with a gold pendant in New York City
ATC_2736 copy.jpg
ATC_1586 copy.jpg
ATC_1735 copy.jpg
ATC_1769 copy.jpg
ATC_1835 copy.jpg
ATC_1711 copy.jpg
Man wearing a chain necklace in New York City
ATC_1862 copy.jpg
ATC_1978 copy.jpg
ATC_2181 copy.jpg
ATC_2229 copy.jpg
ATC_2380 copy.jpg
ATC_1971 copy.jpg
ATC_2537 copy 2.jpg
ATC_2720 copy.jpg
ATC_2746 copy.jpg
ATC_2996 copy.jpg
ATC_2876 copy.jpg
Previous

NYC Portrait Photography
Next

Maternity