In a world where there is so much uncertainty and socio-political tumult, it can feel impossible to find a sense of hope for the future, or even celebrate the moments of fleeting happiness. But perhaps looking through a new lens can help us to reorient our way forward and allow us to truly envision joy. For us, that new lens can be found in award-winning photographer Amy Horowitz’s new photo book ‘A Walk In The Park?’, published by Schilt Publishing and Gallery, out August 1, 2025.
Featuring 166 portraits of young adults on the cusp of adulthood in New York City and 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, according to a press release about the book.
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.
Amy’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.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is where the photographer asked some of the people she photographed to write a sentence about themselves, something a stranger wouldn’t know. These short personal notes, written on the inside jacket of this book, add another layer to the portraits:
“I’m an 18-year-old college student working to become a sex therapist.”
“Today is the first day I’m wearing my natural hair out ever, and the first time, in a long time, I’ve felt beautiful.”
“I want to be loved so much but intimacy disgusts me.”
“My parents are both recovering addicts.”
“This is my first month in NYC, feel a little bit out of my comfort zone, but I know my life is changing.”
‘A Walk in the Park?’ captures a slice of a generation coming of age. Through photography, Amy records the presence and expression of young people as they navigate identity, uncertainty, and change. But this book is not just a record of a generation — it is a testament to the connection formed between subject and street photographer in the shared moment.
As she prepares for the release of her first book, we had the opportunity to do a little deep dive behind the project with Amy, to get a sense of what these images mean to her, and the space she envisions them occupying in our wildly untethered world right now.
What drew you to the theme of capturing young people on the cusp of adulthood?
I find the transition to adulthood to be one of the more interesting periods of human development. Most long for independence and are desperate to figure out what they want in life and how to achieve it. Young adulthood can be fraught with anxiety over the future. It’s also a time of great vulnerability and experimentation.
Especially today, given all of the uncertainty here in the United States and worldwide… with freedoms being rolled back for women, minorities and LGBTQ communities. On top of that, a disregard for global warming and the protection of our earth in the US, is a lot for anyone, let alone a young person to digest.
How did you find the subjects, and what was their reaction to your request to photograph them?
I live in the West Village of New York, which is teaming with young adults. There are several schools here: The New School, Parsons School of Art and Design and New York University. I generally walk past these schools looking for people to photograph and the route I take winds up in Washington Square Park, which is a relaxed mecca that seems to attract many creative people.
First, I look for something visually interesting, whether it’s tattoos, make up, unique clothing, jewelry or, perhaps, colored hair. More importantly, beyond their outward physical appearance, I look for something soft “under the shell.” I look for vulnerability and authenticity.
When I ask if I can take their portrait, the majority comply. I attribute this to a few factors. They grew up with mobile phones and are very used to the camera. Many are creative and enjoy collaborating with other artists. And thirdly, I most likely come across as maternal and non-threatening. On one occasion, a girl at the park looked me up and down and asked me if I had a band aid. As a mother, I always have band aids, and she assessed me correctly.
What were some of the most surprising things you learned about the young adults you photographed?
I was surprised to learn how in tune they are about world events. At that age (before the internet) my knowledge of the world was limited to the news I saw on television on one of the three major networks. Information is currently swirling around at lightning speed, and these youths are very aware and strongly opinionated about the world at large.
Also, I hear about their self-doubt and mental illness. While it’s not necessarily surprising, it has come up several times. It brings me great joy to see the progress some have made over the years.
While some are trying to find their way in the world, others seem on a very specific path, and they are super impressive. I’ve met film students who have won Student Academy Awards, others that are developing music and many that create clothing and jewelry lines. I find myself surprised how accomplished some of these young adults are at such a young age.
As a photographer, how do you remain objective in your work? Or do you find that your work is more compelling when you do find a connection with your subjects?
I make it a point to be objective in my work. To make true portraits, a photographer must gain the trust of their subjects. The connection is key. Being non-judgmental is a common thread throughout my work. I celebrate all that I photograph. As Annie Leibovitz once said of her subjects, “I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.” And that is how I feel.
Sometimes, taking someone’s portrait will be quick, if I have the sense that their friends are waiting for them or if I’ve stopped them in the middle of an intersection. Often, I like to chat a bit, and I find the best photographs are the ones where we’ve spent more time. Since I started back five years ago, I often will run into people repeatedly and photograph them over again.
I absolutely believe my work is more compelling when a connection has been established, and I keep in touch through my Instagram account @dont_smile_nyc.”
There’s something quite stunning about seeing these young people amidst a world of chaos and uncertainty. Did any of them talk about their fears for their future?
I hear about women’s rights, particularly the overturning of Roe v. Wade. I’ve gone to rallies and have seen not only the youth, but alongside them older women who have fought this battle before and I see very young children (the future) in tow as well.
I also hear about international conflicts like the one between Palestine and Israel, with very heated opinions on both sides.
Perhaps the most fearful group of people I’ve heard from are the trans community. Even prior to President Trump, these youths have had to deal with people who simply don’t understand them and sometimes act violently towards them. I’ve even heard of police brutality targeting trans youths. Imagine being born looking like a certain gender, but feeling something inside that’s totally different. What a confusing experience.
And now, I’m hearing that trans youths are afraid of massive setbacks under the Trump administration, such as restricting access to gender affirming medical care for transgender people under 19, with many hospitals nationwide abruptly cutting off treatment for trans youth. If enforced, the administration’s order will deny trans gender youth access to medically necessary care like puberty blockers and hormone therapy, even as these same treatments remain readily available to their cisgender peers.
You also gathered a selection of statements, some quite vulnerable, from your subjects, shared in your book. Why did you want to include this in the series?
I felt it was important to hear their voices. I wanted to know, and I wanted my readers to know, what we don’t see or can’t surmise from physical cues. People want to be heard and understood and no one more so than young people who are sometimes dismissed because of their young age and limited life experience vs. someone older.
Self-expression in a world of uncertainty can sometimes feel like the only thing we can control. Why was it important to incorporate this theme into your images and book?
Expressing oneself is not only empowering but also affirming. It’s telling the world, “This is who I am and I’m not afraid of your judgement. I feel confident enough to show the world that I am enough and don’t need to be changed or fit into a mold.” Especially in today’s world, where, as you’ve said, there is so much uncertainty, holding onto one’s sense of self is important.
I remember being that age, having grown up in suburbia, where it was incredibly homogenous and everyone conformed to norms. I applaud the youth of today that feel free to express themselves and explore their uniqueness and individuality.
I was a more anxious youth, very reserved and more prone to do “the right thing” versus “my own thing.” I hold high regard for the young adults I meet and through them, I’m learning to take risks and explore my own path.
What do you hope will resonate with readers as they pore over your photos and read their statements? How do you hope your images will foster conversations or thoughts about humanity among readers?
I hope that those reading and pouring over the portraits in ‘A Walk in the Park?’ will realize that we are all the same. Even though some of these young adults might have bright purple or orange hair, or piercings in their face that they are people. We are all the same. We want to be loved and to love. We want to set goals and achieve them, have a purpose. We all have anxieties and vulnerabilities, and we all have strengths. We are human and that’s what I’d like to come across to my readers.
‘A Walk in the Park?’ will be launched in the fall of 2025. It is currently available for Pre-order on Schilt Publishing’s website. It is also available for Pre-Order on Amazon and on Amy Horowitz’s website. You can see more of her work by following Amy on Instagram.
