I take the train up north…almost as far north as you can get in Manhattan. It’s an early evening in mid-September and I’m on my way to the Inwood apartment of photographer Josh Maready. My subway stop is above ground so I hop off the train, take the stairs to ground level and cross the street underneath the tracks. A row of parked cars with hoods lifted line the street in front of an auto parts shop and there are several men outside working and shouting instructions in Spanish. I walk a little further down the street and turn the corner where it’s a bit quieter. The sun is out and with several one-story businesses and shops there’s room for the light to breathe here. The atmosphere is busy but relaxed, with children outside and people walking home from work. Inside Josh’s apartment I am drawn to his workspace. His desk looks like it’s an old high school teacher’s desk and the wall behind it is covered from desk to ceiling with his children’s artwork. I’ve met Josh once before, just a couple of months ago. He struck me then and strikes me now as very humble and open. He is unpretentious and willing to answer any questions about his work and process. It’s evident that he loves what he is doing. His family is on their way home so we meet them outside for some quick photos. At first sight of them I’m smitten. The kids are thrilled to see their Dad and my admiration increases as I see Josh and his wife interact with them. The kids are infectiously happy as they take turns on their Dad’s skateboard and the youngest graciously and repeatedly waves at the camera as she cruises past me. I hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as I have.
Where are you from originally and what brought you to New York City?
I grew up around Wilmington, N.C. My first trip to NYC was in 1997. I came here for a week or so because I was skateboarding for 5boro skateboards and we were doing a tour or something. I was instantly hooked on NYC. I loved everything about it. The energy, the people, the trash, the pace, everything. After another trip to NYC in 2001 for a 5boro tour I stayed with the owner of 5boro, Steve R., for a week and he was like, “Maready, you can’t stay in my apartment forever, man.” I agreed and grabbed my board and backpack and sat on a bench at Father Demo Square at 6th and Bleeker until someone (hopefully a pretty girl) sat beside me and let me crash their floor for a few nights. I did that for a few months until my couch/floor network grew and I really didn’t feel homeless anymore. Through the 5boro family I met a friend (and now a very dear friend) Karen Lee who let me rent her couch for a few months. I eventually became her couch-mate off and on for a few years when I wasn’t nomadically roaming the country. It’s a long, strange story – but that’s the gist of how I ended up here.
When did you first become interested in photography? Do you remember your first camera?
When I was younger, pictures never seemed like an art form. They were just a way to capture memories that were important to me. In all of my travels I always carried a camera, usually a cheap disposable, to document my adventures so I could look back and laugh – and so when I’m dead my kids and their kids could look at those pictures and laugh with me.
Later in life I figured out that you can take those slices of life and capture them in a way that tells a better story. I lived in the lower east side of manhattan for a while and watching the one-story buildings quickly disappear and get replaced with huge glass towers made me want to document what was left of the one-story buildings. I bought my first digital SLR, a nikon d50, and started taking horrible pictures of those one-story buildings. I was hungry to learn and would photograph anything or anybody who would stand in front of my lens. So many horrible pictures…
One fine day I randomly met an established photographer, Monte Isom, at a dinner party. I interned with Monte for a couple of months and he ended up taking me under his wing and taking me all over the world as an assistant. He taught me a lot about photography and, being a self-made man, even more so about the hustle of the business. He became a great friend and my biggest ally in creating a foundation in photography.
Rumor has it you have some serious skating skills…how long have you been skating and how often do you skate now? Does it play a part in any of your street photography?
I guess I’ve been skateboarding for nearly 30 years now. Between work and my family, most of my time is already accounted for, but I skate as much as I possibly can. It’s pretty weird how skateboarding is such a huge part of my life but hasn’t really meshed with my photography career. It’s not intentional, that’s just the way it’s worked out so far.
Photo by Joshua Tug
Tell us about your Inwood series. You mentioned the area has been going through a lot of changes. When did you decide to start photographing your neighborhood and why? Were any of your subjects hesitant to be photographed?
About 8 years ago my wife and I lost a sublet in the L.E.S. and were forced to move out. Inwood was cheap and supposed to be a temporary solution but we ended up liking it and stayed. Back then it was very Dominican. It’s still mostly Dominican, but in the last few years there’s been a surge of gentrification. I remember the first time I saw honest-to-goodness hipsters in the hood…and not like downtown hipsters, but the short-shorts/sleeveless stonewashed denim vest/twisty mustache/back to the future sunglass wearing hipsters of Williamsburg’s yesteryear. I was like, “Are these guys lost?” but no, they weren’t lost. They were home, sadly.
I get the fact that change is the only constant, and in the city things change faster than most places. The facelift of the Inwood I first knew seems fast approaching and unfortunately I’m part of the problem. So I sometimes walk around with my camera to try to capture the true essence of what Inwood means to me – just in case this neighborhood does end up becoming overrun with douchebags.
Most people are cool with my camera, although sometimes I shoot from the hip to try to catch a genuine moment that might be ruined if i didn’t. I have to be careful, though. This neighborhood is still a little dicey and some people don’t want their photos taken. Sometimes people give me beef and ask me if i’m a cop. All in all I’ve never had a bad experience. you just have to use some common sense, respect, and a little tact.
The following images courtesy Josh Maready. See more of his Inwood series here.
Do you photograph your family often? Is your approach with them different than the way you approach your professional work? How do your kids react when you pull out the camera?
I really don’t photograph my family as much as I should. I feel like my work gear is for work – and when I’m not working I usually shoot my family with my phone. I occasionally break out a camera, and I do have plenty of pictures but they usually just get thrown on a hard drive and forgotten. my mom is always telling me, “Of all my children, the only one who never sends me pictures is the photographer!” Sorry mama.
What is your favorite thing to photograph? Any kind of work/projects you would like to do more of?
I love shooting things that mean something to me. I love to shoot projects that stir something in your brain. I have a project called iamunbeautiful.com where I photograph and interview people who feel ugly or unattractive. I’d like to work more on that if I had the time.
Who are your favorite artists/photographers? What do you like about their work?
Marc Asnin‘s work inspired me to start photographing my neighborhood. His photos tell powerful stories. If people can look at my photos and feel the same kind of depth I feel when I see Mr. Asnin’s photos, I’ll count it as an accomplishment.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists/photographers?
If you’re just starting out, my recommendation is to shoot a ton. I told you I took a bunch of horrible pictures, right? well you’ll probably do the same. but some will be good, and they’ll keep getting better.
Thanks Josh for giving us a peek into your work, neighborhood and inspiration.
You can check out more of Josh’s work at joshmaready.com.
Black and white photo of Josh skating by Joshua Tug, Inwood photo series by Josh Maready. All other photos by Rebecca Reed.
