Amy Horowitz, the fearless street photographer, transforms the city into a living gallery of raw vulnerability and profound truth. With her unique vision, she reveals the softness beneath the shell, elevating fleeting encounters into timeless human stories. Rising from the halls of ICP to international recognition around the world, she has emerged as a visionary voice of our era.
An Exclusive Interview with Pure Street Photography
Discover how Horowitz’s daily discipline of photographing and posting has sharpened her eye and strengthened her confidence. She teaches that fear must be confronted head-on, for every risk taken with the camera opens the door to deeper human connection. To her, street photography is not just about images but about lifelong learning, meaningful relationships, and the encouragement that makes the art form truly transformative.
Interview by Dimpy Bhalotia and Kamal Kumaar Rao
15/09/2025
(c) Amy Horowitz
(c) Amy Horowitz
We would love to know more about you! Who you are and where you're from? When did you start street photography?
My name is Amy Horowitz and I’m currently based in New York City. I was raised primarily in the suburbs of New Jersey and raised my children there as well. As an empty nester, I couldn’t wait to return to the vibrancy of the city and once I did, Iimmediately began taking classes at The International Center for Photography.
What inspired you to become a street photographer?
My Grammar of Photography classes with Christopher Giglio really piqued my interest in street photography. I’d always enjoyed photography but was really hooked when I started learning what constitutes a quality image. In these classes, we analyzed endless images from professional street photographers as well as those from my peers in class.
Street photography is my passion. It keeps me focused on the present. When I’m out on the streets observing, my mind doesn’t wander to the past or the future. Generally, my mind often feels like a computer with many windows open all at once. When I’m making photographs, I feel calmer and more focused on the here and now. And when I find interesting people, things or scenes to shoot, it feels as if I’ve been given a shot of adrenaline.
How would you describe your work in terms of style and/or approach?
Most of my work thus far has been street portraiture. For the past five years I’ve been documenting young adults in the West Village of New York City, primarily in Washington Square Park. In fact, my first book, “A Walk in the Park?” has been published and is available in bookstores in Europe and United States. It is currently available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Park-Amy-Howoritz/dp/9053309640 and on Schilt Publishing’s website https://www.schiltpublishing.com/shop/books/new-releases/a-walk-in-the-park/
“A Walk in the Park?” explores the transition to adulthood and captures moments of self -expression, vulnerability and human connection. It is a coming-of-age story in a world shaped by uncertainty, activism, climate change and threats to democracy and freedoms.
For my portrait project, I look for people with something visually interesting whether it’s their hair color, tattoos, or unique clothing. More importantly, I’m looking for “softness under the shell,” an authenticity and vulnerability.
I approach my subjects by simply asking if I can take their portrait. Most comply when I ask. This age group grew up with mobile phones and are used to the built-in camera and posing. Also, the neighborhood I’m shooting in, the West Village of New York City, is particularly creative as the area is home to New York University, Parsons School of Art & Design and The New School. I’ve only scheduled a shooting session once, by request, but otherwise it’s all on the fly.
As an introvert, I find the short bursts of human interaction throughout my day to be quite rewarding. With my camera in hand, I meet so many people I otherwise would not have the opportunity to meet. I love the connection! As Diane Arbus said, “the subject of the picture is always more important than the picture.” I couldn’t agree more.
While most of my work consists of portraits, I do dabble in candid street photography as well. I love shooting events, and protests and everyday life. Where I live and shoot, I almost expect to stumble upon the unexpected, whether it’s a pet lizard residing in its owner’s hair, someone playing guitar in the middle of traffic, or someone getting a haircut in the middle of the park. Very often my candid work has a humorous bent to it.
(c) Amy Horowitz (USA), 2nd Place Winner, “Oh, Hello!”
Congratulations on winning 2nd place in the Pure Street Photography Grant 2025, Amy! How has this journey been for you—from submitting your work to now being part of the upcoming exhibition in Rome as one of the official winners? What does this recognition mean to you, and how do you feel about your photograph being showcased internationally this September?
Thank you so much. I feel truly honored that my photograph, “Oh, Hello!” earned 2nd place in Pure Street Photography’s Grant 2025. The journey from submitting my work to knowing it will be exhibited in Rome as one of the official winners is thrilling and a dream come true. Five years ago, if you had said that I would have my photographs exhibited internationally, I would not have believed you.
For me, it’s important to enter Open Calls. First, it gives me a chance to review, analyze and organize my work, as I search for worthy images to enter. It’s a time for me to pause and reflect on the work I’m doing. And then if my work is recognized, sharing the news on social media helps build my following.
(c) Amy Horowitz
(c) Amy Horowitz
What is your photography routine like? Do you photograph every day?
Usually, I always have my camera with me, and I try to shoot every day. Typically, I walk a loop to Parsons School of Art and Design, and The New School and then I head down Fifth Avenue to Washington Square Park and back.
I’ve been posting on Instagram daily since I opened my account @dont_smile_nyc. I’m a very disciplined person and prefer to hold myself accountable for creating new portraits on a regular basis. The consistency has paid off as I’m much more relaxed now than when I started making portraits. I believe my portraits have gotten better as a result.
What camera or mobile device do you use for photography? Do you shoot digitally, on film, or a mix of both?
I shoot with a Nikon Z7 digital camera. Currently, I’m shooting with a 35mm fixed lens, which is perfect for portraits and candid street photography.
What challenges do you face when photographing on the street?
To be perfectly honest, I find shooting on the street to be filled with more opportunities than challenges. Other than an overcast day or rain (I’m not one of those photographers that loves shooting in the rain), although I do love shooting on a windy day and I love shooting on a snowy day too.
Do you ever wonder what happens to the people in your photos?
I always wonder about the people I photograph! Annie Leibovitz once said, “A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.” I can totally relate! I keep in touch with many of the people I photograph through Instagram. Some I know better than others, but I’m always interested to see on their posts or hear when I run into them again how they’re doing. I root for them and take great pleasure hearing about their accomplishments. Sometimes I offer advice. And often I offer encouragement. I’m truly curious about the people I photograph.
Very often I run into people months or years after I’ve photographed them, sometimes in a different part of town. I was recently on a train from Brooklyn to New York City when the woman sitting next to me looked so familiar that I said, “Excuse me but I think I’ve photographed you before…red knee socks next to a red pole.” Yes, I was correct. During the beginning stages of my portrait project, I photographed Jarrett in Washington Square Park. Later that week, I ran into Jarrett way uptown and then again in the West Village. “You again?” we would joke. Photography, for me, makes a big city like New York feel much smaller. It makes me feel at home.
(c) Amy Horowitz
(c) Amy Horowitz
In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception people have about street photography?
There are so many misconceptions people have about street photography. Some believe it is only about capturing people walking down the street and that it’s not considered fine art like some other types of photography. I beg to differ. Street photography, to me, is so much more than that.
First, it’s a creative outlet and passion just like any other artistic endeavor. Sure, there’s a bit of technical know- how involved, but much of it has to do with a photographer’s observations and how they choose to show what they see and how they want to illustrate their observations though their images. There are so many elements that go into street photography, like light, textures, storytelling, gestures, subject matter and composition.
Also, there are various ways to illustrate what a photographer sees, like their point of view, where exactly they are shooting from. For example, are they standing, sitting or lying down to take a photograph? There’s also their perspective; is it a close- up, or a photo with great depth? Focus: is everything in the image in focus or purposely, not? Another variable is color or black and white? Digital or film?
A street photographer needs to consider all that I’ve mentioned and perhaps some that I’ve missed. Given all these creative choices, a street photographer is so much more than capturing people walking down the street.
What are your favourite elements to capture in a street photograph? (light, colour, composition, human interaction, etc.)
While light is always important, I enjoy capturing humanity. One of my goals as an artist is to illustrate that we are all the same, with vulnerabilities, weaknesses, strengths, passions, goals and the need for purpose and connection in our lives. Ialso love capturing expressions and gestures. It can mean the difference between a good photograph and a great one. That said, I always have an eye out for a solid composition when I shoot.
What is your take on social media influence on street photography?
I’m not sure I understand the question. But I can say that since sharing my work on Instagram, currently the only social media platform that I use, my world has expanded in so many lovely ways.
I find the photography community to be so warm and encouraging. I learn from scrolling through other photographers’ work every day. I always say that I travel the world while I’m eating breakfast, scrolling through photographs on Instagram. I find it all so inspiring!
Through Instagram, I’ve learned of workshops and photo walks, and I’ve attended a few. The camaraderie is amazing! Spending time with like -minded individuals is so rewarding. Many have even become good friends.
I’ve entered Open Calls and received recognition for my work and have had many opportunities to have my work exhibited and seen all over the world.
Are your prints available for purchase? If so, where can art buyers and collectors contact you to purchase them?
As I mentioned, I just finished my first book and that has taken up a lot of my time. My next project is to figure out how to sell some of my prints. Once I get that organized, I will post on Instagram and people can reach me through my website, Amyhorowitzphotography.com
(c) Amy Horowitz
(c) Amy Horowitz
What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?
I have a few pieces of advice for aspiring photographers. Never stop learning.Take photography classes. Read photography books. Watch documentaries about famous photographers. Go to galleries, exhibits and museums. Talk with other local photographers.
Practice, practice, practice. Henri Cartier-Bresson said, “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” Of course, some photographers will shoot more than that in their lifetime and some less, but the point is to keep shooting. Always take your camera with you. If you don’t have your camera with you, and you come upon an incredible scene or situation, you’ll miss an opportunity to create something special.
Take risks. When I first started shooting portraits, I was very nervous to approach people and ask if I could take their portrait. For example, I walked past an interesting person with tattoos all over their face. I had an internal dialogue with myself that went something like this, “Go back and ask to take their portrait. If you can’t push through your fear of approaching someone then you have no business calling yourself a street portrait photographer.” I went back. After that, I was still nervous asking people for their portrait, but I did it anyway, and I did it so many times, by now, it is second nature now and I’m not afraid at all anymore. Face Your Fears and Keep Shooting!
A huge thank you to (c) Amy Horowitz for sharing her incredible journey.
In Frame : Amy Horowitz