The Joy of Living is a project that I have been working for two years, capturing parades and festivals in New York and beyond.
These events are a culture's opportunity to celebrate what they most appreciate about themselves. Many of the parades have traditions that originate in folklore and myth handed down from generation to generation. Things like the costumes and the props are used as symbols of what the cultures have overcome.
They contain code for those who know and are prompts for those from outside to be curious. I've learned a great deal just from asking questions about these traditions.
I photograph parades and festivals almost every weekend here.
From what I can glean, the events that I capture are just as much for newcomers as they are for those who are familiar.
Though I am often an outsider at these celebrations. I

Learn more here