In this month's "Photographers to Watch," series, we’re honored to spotlight the work of James Pryor, an internationally acclaimed fine art photographer whose work blends emotional depth with poetic narrative. His series, Finding Your Pulse: Life Beneath the Ruins, explores the subterranean life of the 42nd Street–Bryant Park/Fifth Avenue subway station in New York City, uncovering the humanity thriving beneath the city’s iconic streets. Through grayscale tones and textured nuances, Pryor captures the pulse of those inhabiting this underground world, revealing what he describes as "the visual riff of life."

Drawing inspiration from Ray Bradbury’s musings on observing subway riders, Pryor explains, “This is a very real personal collaboration; it comes with a price. Fill your pockets with tokens—the ride is worth it.” His work invites viewers into an atmospheric and introspective journey, challenging them to engage, reflect, and even confront their own narratives. To explore Pryor’s series, click on the link below.

In this month's "Photographers to Watch" profile, we are thrilled to feature the compelling work of Vicky Martin, whose series "(great) Expectations" delves into the complex interplay between societal expectations of femininity and individual identity. Through a blend of portrait and still life photographs, Martin captures the struggles faced by women as they navigate the conflicting demands of beauty standards and personal desires. Inspired by the 1950s, an era that idealized women as perfect wives and mothers, this series highlights how "the pursuit of this unattainable ideal of the female identity" led to intense feelings of loneliness and isolation. By portraying both the female protagonist's quest for self-discovery and the still life images that symbolize the abstract concept of femininity, Martin masterfully explores the "need to transcend these archaic expectations of femininity." To explore Vicky Martin’s series, click on the link below.

In this month's "Photographers to Watch" profile, we are excited to showcase the poignant and evocative work of Lipe Borges, an accomplished documentary photographer from Brazil. Lipe’s “Garimpo Project," presents striking close-up portraits of the elderly residents of Santa Luzia, a neighborhood often overshadowed by its reputation but rich in culture and community spirit. Santa Luzia is also known as Garimpo (Prospect). "The Garimpo Project" stands as a testament to Lipe’s passion and commitment to his craft. These portraits not only showcase the faces of a vibrant community but also reflect Lipe’s deep connection to his roots and his unwavering dedication to storytelling through his lens. To explore Lipe’s moving project, click on the link below.

In this month's "Photographers to Watch" profile, we shine a spotlight on the powerful and deeply moving work of Michelle Gabel, a documentary photographer and journalist based in Syracuse, New York. Her project, "Anna and Norman," offers a profound glimpse into the lives of a couple bound by love and challenged by Alzheimer's disease. Anna and Norman Salway's love story unfolds against the backdrop of their shared devotion to farming and each other. For 65 years, they worked side by side on the land until Norman's abrupt departure from the barn signaled the onset of Alzheimer's disease. To view Gabel’s project, click on the link below.

In this month's "Photographers to Watch" spotlight, we're delighted to showcase the evocative work of Carol Mossa. Mossa's photography is distinguished by its haunting examination of abandonment and decay, brought to life in her deeply compelling series on urban exploration, or "urbex" photography. Through her lens, Mossa captures the solemn grandeur of structures that time has forgotten, from crumbling asylums to deserted farmhouses, each image a window to a world suspended in a silent tableau of decline and endurance. Her approach is rooted in, as she describes, “finding beauty among the ruins.” To see Mossa’s project, click on the link below.

In this month’s "Photographers to Watch" spotlight, we're thrilled to feature the work of photographer Emily Neville Fisher. Fisher's photography stands out for its ability to encapsulate the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world in her ongoing series, "Natural Tendencies." Through a masterful combination of striking portraits and pared-down landscapes, Fisher invites viewers into a world where time seems to stand still. To see Fisher’s project, click on the link below.

“Today’s Iranian Women,” an image from Iranian photographer, Armin Amirian’s series, “hICEstory”. Created during the covid pandemic, Amirian selected images of historical moments or significant events, placed them in water and froze them. He then photographed them with the resulting ice formations. “They were frozen just like the world we were living in but still breathing and alive,” he explains. To see Amirian’s project, click on the link below.

“Tailors - Yin Family”, an image from Shaoyi Zhang’s documentary portrait series, Passing Merchants, which illuminates the plight of small businesses in Shanghai facing extinction due to urbanization. To see Zhang’s project, click below. Zhang explains that the demolition of old streets and soaring rental costs in newer areas has compelled these businesses to close or relocate. To see Zhang’s project, click on the link below.