A walk in the park?

A Walk in the Park? by Amy Horowitz is a new photo book featuring 166 portraits of young adults on the cusp of adulthood in New York City. Shot over five years in Washington Square Park and the West Village, the book captures fleeting moments of self-expression, vulnerability, and human connection.

Washington Square Park, once a hippie hangout, remains a gathering place for a broad mix of people. It attracts artists, students, families, tourists, vendors, drug addicts, and protestors. The park has a long photographic history — André Kertész and Diane Arbus photographed here, and Edward Hopper lived across the street. Buddy Holly used to perform nearby. Originally a burial ground for the poor, this public space has reinvented itself many times. Today, many of its regulars are students from NYU, The New School, and Parsons, often pursuing creative careers in fields like fashion, film, music, or art.

“As a photographer, I’m drawn to the stories behind the surface. This work is about being seen and seeing others—about making time stand still in a moment of mutual understanding.”  —Amy Horowitz

Horowitz’s portraits range in scale from full-length to tight shots of the face, featuring singles, couples, and groups, always in color. Though at first glance she focuses on bold presentation — unusual hair, jewelry, tattoos, clothing — on closer look, something deeper emerges. Her intuition draws her to people with an inner authenticity and vulnerability, a quality that guides her work and gives the images their emotional weight.

“Inspired by Diane Arbus and Mary Ellen Mark, Amy’s work reflects curiosity and empathy for her subjects, often photographing them more than once when the opportunity presents itself.”   —Bill Lacey, The Pictorial List

‍