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Quietly planting seeds lately and slowly watching them grow. The universe has some good things in store. ___________________________________________________ Greg Benito Bowl. After Hours. BKNY. 2026 #instaxsquare #instantfilm #rz67

Zeinab Just your reminder that film is forever. Pick up your camera right now and go make something ❤️ __________________________________ Benito Bowl. After Hours. BKNY. 2026 #instaxsquare #rz67

Finding communities to be a part of is such a powerful feeling. Especially the ones that allow you to be your true self, pour into you, create opportunities for you to make new connections, and make you feel seen and safe. Some communities are chosen for you (speaking from the lens of someone who migrated with their family to America almost four decades ago). In either case you still choose how you show up, and moreover how/if you give back. Pulling up for the vibes is great and all but if no one steps up how does that community thrive, and keep each other safe? I bring this up because the world is hurting right now. All over the world people are leaning into nationalism and xenophobia. And the ones most affected by this: immigrants. In the US, we are facing a complete dehumanization of people and their rights. We’ve hit a breaking point as some citizens have been un-alived by the state (Not trying to get shad ow b a n n e d out here). “Many small people, in small places, doing small things can change the world.” With that in mind @jpittswiley has been one of many voices to start up the FIRE to raise funds for anti-ICE organizations helping people in targeted communities. The idea: you sign up for a portrait session, donate to an organization (of your choosing) protecting the community against ICE (in-person) as you prepare to get your portrait made, and you walk away with an image made in your glory. If time permits you might even share some your thoughts on video. Tomorrow is the first session and it is completely booked but I invite you to join me while I do a BTS takeover of @firecommunityportraits . Interested in supporting? Follow, share, donate towards the cost of instant film, or whatever moves you. Maybe this puts the FIRE in you to do something small. Stay tuned @firecommunityportraits for more. ______________ ___________________________ Fading light 📸: @ridinwithgabby Benito Bowl Sunday. BKNY. 2026 #instaxsquare #rz67

30 for 30 Not sure if y’all have noticed but over the course of this month is the most I’ve ever posted in probably fo’eva! For the past couple months there’s been a strong gravitational pull back to the camera. Some recent conversations with close friends slowly inspired me re-engage with old pictures and to start thinking about what’s coming next. In conversations with friends Derek & Angel, I even started considering did I want to rebrand, or create a new space for sharing works anonymously. I sat on the idea but it never felt quite right for me at this moment. How do you know where you’re going if you can’t look to where you’ve been? 

There was the gentle nudge from Nuno, or maybe he came for my neck a lil’ bit, asking why I don’t share more of my work? What excuses could I come up with other than some impostor syndrome? And finally the push from Yari to print some of my own photos to decorate my home. Thank you to everyone who has brought me to this calling. So I set out this month with two goals in mind: to go through every image I’ve ever made/find images I want to print for myself + to share one post daily for 30 days. In the process of archiving (almost) all of my photos I’ve come across so many beautiful memories, and also remembered how much I like to yap/write. I hope what I’ve shared over the month has resonated with you in some meaningful way and if you haven’t had a chance maybe drop in and set your eyes on some of those photos . Now’s the time for a reset and hope you’ll stick around for whatever comes next. Peace. Love. _________________________________________ Yari and Nuno. BAMS Fest. Boston, MA. 2024 #instaxsquare #rz67 #blackandwhitephotography

“I cherish my own freedom dearly, but I care even more for your freedom” - Nelson Mandela

 If you’ve ever been to the Blacksonian aka the National Museum of African American History and Culture you might feel this one. If you’ve made your way through the entire building… by the end of the day you can easily feel overwhelmed! All the feels, tears, smiles, joy, heartbreak, anger, you have to be ready to experience it all. Having the Contemplative Court as a space for reflection and to reorient your nervous systems is intentional and necessary. You’re welcomed into a space that’s warm and subtly lit almost like candle light and enveloped in the sound & sight of falling water. We’ll avoid an easy tangent here but this water feels different, healing even. Easing into the contemplative time of the year. _________________________________________ Contemplative Court, NMAAHC. DC. 2022 #instaxsquare #nmaahc #shotonfilm

Boston, are we ok? We’re not counting the previous sprinkles of December ‘cause to me… yesterday was the first real snowfall of the season. My bones haven’t been ready for the low double digits we’ve experienced in the last couple of weeks. For many in the Northeast, this is that weird time of year that them seasonal blues start to set in. What helps you get through the winter? _________________________________________
South End. Boston, MA. 2022 #instaxsquare #shotonfilm #classiccars

capture/kap-chər [verb]: an act of catching, winning, or gaining control by force, stratagem, or guile
take/tāk [verb]: to get possession of by killing or capturing 
Why do people still use film? Is it the aesthetic? Is it the intentional slowing down/mindfulness and being present? Maybe it connects you with generations past? Perhaps deep down you’re an alchemist and enjoy the process of transformation? Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is never easy but on Nov 8th I decided to explore some of these questions. @jpittswiley put on a dope workshop speaking on something I’ve fallen in love with over and over again: film photography. Not sure what I expected to gain when I pulled up but I came out of there with a desire to pick up the camera in a way I haven’t felt in a minute. When artists, OGs, and even elders talk about their life, craft, or philosophy, these ears are wide open to take in their stories and all the gems that are dropping. The language of photography is a lot more than light, composition or anything technical but at its core is: how and what are you trying to communicate. It’s refreshing AF to hear someone echo words you’ve felt for a long time. It brings with it a sense of belonging and knowing you’re not alone! So here’s one reflection on a gem that Jonathan dropped, one that has lived with me for a long time: there is an exchange and symbiotic relationship in photographing people and things. There are so many words in this photographic world that give me pause: take, capture, shoot, master/slave, etc. I could go on and on…. So when you use words like “capture” or “take” do you understand their power? Just some things to consider if you’re interested in decolonizing your lexicon.  _________________________________________
ANALOG ADVANTAGES with @jpittswiley 
Hunts Photo. Prov, RI. 2025 📸: @angelmbabbitt #instaxsquare #shotonfilm #rb67

This year has taught me a lot about what it means to be in community and communion with others. It’s been nothing but joy to witness the growth of so many friends as they continue to build the life they’ve dreamt of. ________________________________________________
Aunty Gabby. MA. 2025 #instaxaquare #rz67 #shotonfilm

When we look do we see the same thing? Around the time I got into film photography I took interest in learning more about the Gateway Cities of Massachusetts. I’m not a historian so I’ll give the abridged version: originally made up of 11 cities, these served as major economic hubs for the state, think mills and manufacturing. Some of these places included Lynn, Lowell, New Bedford, Worcester, etc. De-industrialization, aka moving jobs out of the country, had a significant impact on all of these communities which is often seen by abandoned, dilapidated buildings/homes, as people left to pursue opportunities elsewhere in the state. I spent a lot of time in Lowell because of undergrad and witnessed the impact and remnants of its post industrial legacy. To really understand this place I’ve had to put on two lenses: one that looks at the innovations, infrastructure, architecture, and technologies that have anchored this city, and the other that looks at how much was gained from exploitation. Lowell sits on what used to be the indigenous settlements of the Pennacook. 

When you step into the museum you walk into the weave room which is still producing beautiful textiles from cotton today. The sound of all the machinery is abuzz and you are reminded… That this was all built on the exploitation of enslaved Black people and child labor as well.
 
For what it’s worth Lowell, now, has a dope and vibrant immigrant community and some of the best Cambodian food ‘round these parts.
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Weave Room. Boot Cotton Mills Museum. 
Lowell, MA. April 2022 #rz67 #shotonfilm #instaxsquare

Countryside goats. Polopos ______________________________ Granada, Andalusia, España. 2023 #fujixt2 #spain #granada #cycling

Remember when I used to share photos on here? Well I think it’s time I start that up again. 2023 I took my first international cycling trip, through the Andalucía region of southern Spain. It was a group of 5 Black men, most of whom I had never met. I showed up with a foot injury that forced me to get on an electric assisted road bike wearing shoes that were a full size bigger. What I thought was going to be a trial of endurance and pushing through pain turned out to be a test of brotherhood, effective communication, and vulnerability. ______________________________ Granada, Andalucía, España. 2023 #fujixt2 #spain #granada #cycling

So blue I forgot my blues. __________________________ Chicago, 2018 #lakemichigan #chicago