Documenting Public Housing, By the People Who Call It Home

Project Lives: New York Public Housing Residents Photograph Their World is a book of photography, taken by the people who live in public housing. The photos capture neighbors, friends, and the everyday lives of people who are not generally portrayed in photography at large. Chelsea Davis, the co-editor of the book, discusses the project with two of the books photographers: Margaret Wells, who lives at the Manhattanville projects in West Harlem, and Znya Mourning, who lives in the Ft. Independence projects in the Bronx.

I like living here because I get my grandma to cook for me. When I stood right near my grandma while she

was looking at basketball she told me “pa fe sa tout tan anko sof si mwen gen rad bon pou mwen.” She said,

“don’t do that ever again unless I have good clothes on me.” — ELODIE JEAN-BAPTISTE

(Elodie Jean-Baptiste/Project Lives)

Cloud formations. Impending rain.

(Sheik Bacchus/Project Lives)

On Christmas I photograph my cat and I dance with my cat. Dance ballerina, because you like the music.

She likes that I dance and I feel content. She is as happy as a person. I love my cat.

(Susana Ortiz/Project Lives)

(Margarita Curet/Project Lives)

Remember when the ball field was a dust bowl? Now paved, kids love to play basketball.

(Margaret Wells/Project Lives)

Do I really have to go to church this morning?

(Margaret Wells/Project Lives)

We roam around this spontaneous block sticking together as brothers. Yet we are cousins.

(Jared Wellington/Project Lives)

The neighborhood I am in is so surprising. Anything can happen, good or bad. The sun rises on our faces.

(Jared Wellington/Project Lives)

Mi esposo y yo antes de casados el tiene 20 anos y yo 16 anos.

(My husband and I before we were married, he is 20 and I am 16.)

(Alina Navarro/Project Lives)

I love how when I’m in the school, hallways are so quiet when I walk through it’s just great because you can

just hear yourself think about how you are going to plan once you get in class. Just stay focused on what’s

around you.

(Aaliyah Colon/Project Lives)

My neighbors.

(Jane Mary Saiter/Project Lives)