What A Day!… World Photography Day 2026 in Brooklyn Part 1: The Arrival.

What A Day!… World Photography Day 2026 in Brooklyn: The Arrival.

@htcashphotography , @verycoolcash , @jamelshabazz , @worldphotographydaynyc

Preface:

I do not concern myself with obnoxious folks. I find the best and brightest I have ever met are also the kindest. This weekend confirmed this.

Story Time.

Have posted videos about Jamel Shabazz.

The Jamel Shabazz Story: Street Photography Visionary

Have had the good fortune of participating in a photo review call hosted by the Harvey B. Gantt Museum, featuring Jamel Shabazz, who encouraged me to continue working on my 100 Men In Black project.

100 Men In Black: Voices In Pictures.

Have bought his books.

Jamel Shabazz’s Poignant Images of “A Time Before Crack” | The New Yorker

I have exchanged texts with him and have been fortunate to receive signed works from Jamel.

Drama & Flava by Jamel Shabazz: A Very Biased Review.

All good so far. But I had not met him in person.

Then a while back, Jamel tagged me in a post about a World Photography Day event in Brooklyn. Told my always supportive wife, and she said, “Then you should go.” I sat with that, and hesitation kicked in. Me?

All the way to NY?

These are established photographers, not obsessive image takers in the middle of North Carolina.

I was in Harlem for my Aunt’s funeral earlier this year; another day trip?

Scenes Seen: NYC, A Homegoing Service, An X100VI, & A Phone. Part 1. The Trip There.

Scenes Seen: NYC, A Homegoing Service, An X100VI, & A Phone. Part 2. To The Service & Right After.

Scenes Seen: NYC, A Homegoing Service, An X100VI, & A Phone. Part 3. After Dinner… Street Pics.

Scenes Seen: NYC, A Homegoing Service, An X100VI, & A Phone. Part 4. Heading Home.

Then Michael Young posted the flyer to FB Friday morning. I texted it to my wife, and she responded, “There is still time.”

Translation: “Get thy hindparts to NYC.”

Yes, ma’am.

With her encouragement, I got over myself, asked my son if he was game (he was), booked a hotel, wrapped up my workday, and we were out the door.

Preface sorted, here we go.

What a day! So glad my son and I made it. World Photography Day 2026, hosted by the Black Photographers Collective, Howard Cash, and Jamel Shabazz, held in Brooklyn Borough Hall.

This post is about our early morning (midnight) arrival.

As we drove in.

Checked into the hotel. Now to park the car.

hat is it for the arrival.

Bonus round, on the way the next morning.

There were a few nightspots by the hotel. It would seem some preferred their own beverages.

Jamel was one of the first people my son and I came across.

Welp. That is a wrap. On to part 2.

Happy capturing.

-ELW