Gallery2

About this project

I am a New York-based photographer who lived and ran wild with my camera in Williamsburg, Brooklyn from 1997-2005. My portfolio includes a rich archive of never-before published images of landmark bands in their formative periods, including The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Nada Surf and The Liars. I also have rare images of bands like Modest Mouse, The Silver Jews and Cat Power taken when they visited the area in the late 1990's .

Beyond music, my lens captured many talented visual artists helped create the scene's look, including Steve Keen, Kayrock, Wolfy and Christian Joy. Surround them with portraits of the landscape, events and institutions that shaped the neighborhood culture (Grand Street, Enid's, the Sunday Softball Bar League, etc.), and you have a photography book I'm planning to produce and publish.

I didn't begin shooting digitally until 2005 so all of this early work was shot on film and mainly with my Hasselblad. I'll be pouring through 100's of shoots and contact sheets and scanning all the negatives myself. I've got the very talented rock writer Jenny Eliscu http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Eliscu
on board to contribute some words and will continue to reach out to some of my old pals to add their thoughts and reflections.

I plan on using blurb.com for printing the book. Money raised will pay for printing copies and a babysitter for Nigel (our infant son) while I have my back to him working at the computer.These photos have been a source of inspiration and pride for me all these years having watched many of these musicians and artists rise to greater popularity. I've been waiting for the right time and place to share my perspective of the story, Grand & Lorimer is it.

Project Costs:
Book Printing $32 per book for 50 book run - $1600
Babysitting $20/hr * 40 hours - $800
Miscellaneous Fees & Costs - $200


Project location: New York, NY

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Funding Successful

This project successfully raised its funding goal on November 8.

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A big smile and handwritten photo postcard from the book. Who doesn't love getting mail!

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Receive a copy of the book.

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The first 20 people to pledge $30 or more dollars will be listed on the acknowledgments page.

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Get a signed copy and an 8x10 print of the project's collage.

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Signed copy and 8x10 print of your choice from the book.

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Signed copy, 8x10 print of your choice as well as personal delivery with hand shake. If you are in the NYC or 5 borough area.

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Project By

Emily_in_mirror_25_of_1_

Emily Wilson

Straightpin NY

I've been living in New York City since 1997. I picked up a camera while attending high school in Warner Robins, GA. My senior year I moved back to my hometown Chattanooga, TN and started photographing the struggling little music scene happening there. I went to UMASS Amherst because the Modern Lovers and the Pixies sang praises about that area. A year abroad in Norwich, England exposed me to jungle music and photographing concerts for the local paper. The day after graduation I moved to NYC where I quickly lost all my money to an illegal sublet. I stayed on my feet developed photos at a rinky dink shop on the lower eastside until good fortune sway my direction and I landed a job in the art & photo dept. of Men's Journal Magazine. I lasted a year then set off with my camera and started assisting other photographers. Two years later I got my first assignment..that was over 10 years ago.

Some other projects of mine have been about, Young Race Car Drivers and Summer Camps. I shoot commercially for magazines and record labels. I live in Hell's Kitchen with my amazing husband Corey Henderson and incredible son Nigel.

  1. emilywilsonphotography.com
  2. emilywilsonexperience.com