The exhibition Seconds of My Life: Photographs from 1975-2025, by Brooklyn-based photographer Jamel Shabazz, offers a comprehensive look at his work, including iconic photo albums, early images of his junior high classmates and photography spanning fashion, street and documentary styles. It highlights Shabazz's talent for capturing powerful stories of identity, resilience, and community from the streets of New York and beyond.

“I embarked on my photographic journey 50 years ago as a curious 15-year-old kid coming out of Brooklyn, using my mother's Kodak Instamatic 126 camera. My primary subjects during that time were my junior high school classmates, who were more than willing to pose for me. Back then, I would take the finished film to the local drugstore for processing, and return about a week later to see the results of my efforts. To my surprise, I made some pretty decent prints that I would then put into small photo albums and share with my friends. From that moment on, I developed a profound love for photography and preserving memories.

From 1975 to 2025 I have amassed quite a number of photo albums showing a wide range of images–from my original prints from the 1970's, to some of the very first black and white prints I developed in my makeshift darkroom. There are fashion, street and documentary work featured in all of the albums”. - Jamel Shabazz

Exhibition curated by Michael Kamber and Cynthia Rivera