JORGE GARCIA

STUDIO VISIT

7115: Let’s start at the beginning. How did you first get into photography, and what drew you to the streets of New York as a subject?

Jorge: About 18 years ago, in my mid-20s, I was planning a trip to Japan and thought it would be a good idea to bring a camera. I’d always been curious about photography, and that trip gave me the push to finally buy one. From the moment I started shooting, I was hooked and photography quickly became an obsession. A few years later while taking a photo 101 class at a community college, I discovered Henri Cartier-Bresson, Lee Friedlander, and others, and learned about something called “street photography.” That discovery completely changed how I understood photography and myself. Eventually, that obsession led me to move to New York City, where I could practice photography in a more intentional and meaningful way.

AIn a storefront in Brooklyn, something meaningful is unfolding. Contact Photo is a nonprofit community space founded by photographer Jorge Garcia. It serves as a hub for education, exhibitions, and connection. It is a place where photography is used not just to document, but to spark dialogue and growth.

Jorge’s journey began with street photography, walking the neighborhoods of New York with his camera and a clear sense of observation. That same curiosity and intention now shape the foundation of Contact Photo, where photographers of all backgrounds and levels are welcomed. Through workshops, youth outreach, curated exhibitions, and ongoing mentorship, the studio creates room for people to engage with their craft in a personal and purposeful way.

We visited Contact Photo to learn more about how the space came to be, what fuels Jorge’s commitment to community, and how photography continues to act as a bridge between people and ideas.

7115: Street photography has become such a central part of your creative practice. What is it about photographing everyday life on the streets that continues to draw you in, and what does it represent for you personally?

Jorge: Street photography is liberating in so many ways. There’s no narrative that quietly manipulates you or agenda, it’s completely open. What matters is being present and open to what unfolds. You don’t need expensive gear or perfect conditions; any camera will do. It’s more of a mindset or an attitude than a genre. You can take a photograph anywhere, at any time. What draws me to it is the freedom. The lack of rules, the spontaneity, the curiosity. It’s about trusting your intuition and embracing imperfection. Street photography is about responding to the real world as it unfolds in front of you, with no obligations to anyone but yourself and the moment. In the end, the only thing that matters is whether it’s a good photograph or not.

7115: You’ve built and been part of several communities, from the NYC Street Photography Collective to Contact Photo. What has community meant to you in your own creative practice?

Jorge: NYC-SPC and later, Contact Photo, both started from a need to find like-minded people. I wanted to connect with others who were genuinely interested in street photography and wanted to talk about it beyond posting online or on social media. After going to a few photo walks and meetups, I realized I wanted something deeper, a place where people could get together, talk, share ideas, and build friendships through photography.

7115: You’ve hosted photo walks and workshops in cities like Tokyo and Lisbon. What do those experiences offer to the people who attend, and to you?

Jorge: Those workshops are honestly one of my favorite things to do. I really enjoy bringing people together, eating, walking, sharing stories, and looking at photos. It’s a great way to connect over a shared love of photography while also exploring a new place. I get to show people some of my favorite neighborhoods, spots to eat or drink, and how I approach seeing a city. It’s as much about community and culture as it is about photography. And for me, it’s a recharge, meeting new people always sparks something creative.

7115: How did Contact Photo come to life? What was the initial idea behind the space, and how has it grown?

Jorge: After about five years of hosting NYC-SPC monthly critiques, curating shows, organizing workshops, and producing zines, I got tired of constantly searching for venues. So I decided to open my own space, a home base for NYC-SPC and the broader photo community. I wanted a place where people could share ideas, produce work, and have access to the tools and resources photographers need to keep creating. Over time, Contact Photo grew into a gallery, education hub, and film lab—all centered around fostering community and creativity.

7115: What kinds of programs or workshops are you most excited about right now? What do you hope participants take with them?

Jorge: For 2025, I decided to take a step back from curating and organizing programs to focus more on my own work. I’m gradually shifting my attention toward publishing, both my own photography and that of other artists, and exploring more ways to bring photographs into print. On a personal note, my wife and I are also preparing to start a family, which feels like a new and exciting chapter that’s influencing how I think about my creative life.

7115: Your youth outreach work through Contact Photo stands out. Can you share what it’s like working with high school students and why that part of your practice matters?

Jorge: Working with teens has been one of the most meaningful parts of what we do. A lot of the students have never held a camera before–let alone an analog one–and seeing their excitement when they develop their first roll, that’s pure joy. But beyond the photography itself, what really matters is what it gives them: confidence, focus, and a way to express what’s going on in their heads.

Photography can be incredibly grounding, especially for kids who are dealing with stress, anxiety, or tough home situations. It gives them a sense of agency and helps them see the world, and themselves, differently. Watching that transformation, seeing them excited to share their work, open up, and find a voice. That's the best part. It reminds me that photography isn’t just about making images; it can also be about connection and healing.

7115: What does a day at Contact Photo typically look like for you?

Jorge: Most of my time is spent helping people by developing film, scanning, or making prints. The rest of my time is spent reaching out to artists I admire, organizing exhibitions, or planning workshops. There’s a lot of emailing and texting involved, but at its core, every day is about connecting with people who care deeply about photography and are trying to make something cool.

7115: When you're not teaching or organizing, where do you turn for creative energy?

Jorge: Finding inspiration can be tough these days. Between running the lab and the constant flood of images on social media, it’s easy to feel overstimulated. When that happens, I usually turn to movies or music, they help me reset. Traveling and getting out of the city also play a big role in recharging my creativity. Just stepping away from routine often helps me see things with fresh eyes again.

7115: What makes a photograph meaningful to you? Has that evolved over time?

Jorge: That’s hard to explain, it’s mostly a gut feeling. I edit fast; I move through a lot of photos quickly, and when I stop or pause on one, that’s how I know there’s something there. I’m drawn to strong color, good light, and contrast, but more than anything, I’m drawn to honesty. I connect most with photographs that feel direct and grounded, where you can sense both the person and the place. I’m less interested in images that feel overly staged or premeditated, because what excites me is that raw, immediate response to the world. For me, a meaningful photograph feels alive and real, something that stops you for just a moment and reminds you what it’s like to look closely.

7115: What’s ahead for you?

Jorge: I’m focusing on making new photographs and putting more of my work into print. I’d like to keep building connections between the people and places that inspire me and figure out what that next version of Contact Photo might look like, wherever life takes us.

Jorge Garcia’s Works
PhotosByJorge.com | @PhotosByJorge_

Community
Contact Photo, 51 Porter Ave Brooklyn
https://www.contactphoto.org | @contactphotonyc
NYC-SPC.com | @nycspc


You’ll find Jorge’s Contact Photo space in the 7115 Familiar List: Brooklyn. It’s a guide to places that feel personal to us, arriving later this year. Stay tuned for the full list of spots that feel like home.

Spending time with Jorge at Contact Photo, you sense the presence of something rare. When you walk in, it feels welcoming and full of purpose, a space built to serve, not to sell. Jorge has created more than just a studio or gallery. He has built an ecosystem where photography becomes a tool for learning, reflection, and connection. Through programs focused on education, supporting the next generation by nurturing early creativity, and community-driven exhibitions, Contact Photo offers an open door to all who are curious and makes it a collective experience.

It is a reminder that art, at its best, is not just about what we make. It is about who we make it with, and how we carry those conversations forward.