AFH/DaBxposure: Community in Portrait
What an incredible experience I had this past Sunday at the Andrew Freedman Home with Bxposure for their Community In Portraits event.
This was a free community event hosted inside the historic Andrew Freedman Home, inviting folks from the Bronx to come through and get their portraits taken in this really beautiful, intentional way. Three amazing photographers, Andrés Rodríguez, Suede Hunte, and guest photographer Brad Farwell, were shooting using both analog film and digital, creating these timeless portraits that truly honor the people and stories of our borough.
The whole event wasn’t just about taking pictures, though. It was centered on memory, identity, and community. You could show up exactly as you are, or bring something special with you. The entire project is meant to capture the spirit of the Bronx and highlight the people who make this place what it is.
I didn’t know what to expect going in. Honestly, I thought it might be like a JCPenney-style photoshoot, which I would’ve still had a blast with, but once I got there and waited for the photographers to set up, I quickly realized it was something totally different. I’ve been to the Andrew Freedman Home a few times now, and when I walked into the historic library and realized that was the backdrop, I got excited all over again.
Earlier that day, they hosted an “Elements of Portraiture Photography” workshop, so the room already carried this energy of a full professional photoshoot. Cameras set up, high ceilings, walls lined with books, a beautiful chair, soft draped fabric, the whole space felt creative in that quiet but electric way. You could choose your photographer, choose your setup. People came in dressed to the 9s, dressed as themselves, dressed as artists, professionals, all kinds of folks showing up in their own style.
Each photographer was so kind and patient, guiding us into poses that would bring out the best photo. The whole team was warm and welcoming, really softening the space and calming any nerves. For anyone who’s never done a photoshoot like this, it’s such a great introduction; you get to learn something from the photographers, the models, and the energy of the whole team.
People were introducing themselves, chatting, connecting; it naturally became a community in itself, and it was beautiful to witness.
Thank you, BXposure and Andrew Freeman Home, for hosting such an awesome event.
I seriously can’t wait to see the portraits and can’t wait to do it again.
BXposure is a film lab and community darkroom based in the Bronx.
1125 Grand Concourse #106 Bronx NY
