Zachary Schulman is a New York City-based photographer dedicated to crafting images that advance movements for social change, support progressive nonprofits, and boost community-based organizations. He’s been a community gardener in New York City for 23 years.
Prior to working as a professional photographer, he spent 14 years working directly with New York City community gardeners as an organizer, program manager, and as part of direct action campaigns to support and defend gardens from destruction.
Zachary creates images that celebrate the accomplishments and passion of community gardeners throughout New York City. Using photography in coordination with interviews, he listens deeply while looking carefully. This practice fits within the long tradition of utilizing portrait photography and oral histories as tools in service to movements for social justice. He captions the portraits with quotes from interviews with the gardeners, centering participants as storytellers and historians, and emphasizing their skills, wisdom, and achievements.
Zachary’s work is on display at the Museum of the City of New York, has been featured on WNYC’s Morning Edition, and has appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Democracy Now!, ABC News, The Source, Vice, Financial Times, Gothamist, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, Hyperallergic, and more.
The Community Gardener Portrait Project features portraits and accompanying interview excerpts produced over the past eight years by Zachary Schulman. The project explores the creation, stewardship, and impact of community gardens and gardeners across New York City.
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