New York City Photographer // walter@walterwlodarczyk.com
Walter Wlodarczyk is a documentary photographer whose work focuses on the stories and culture of his home, New York City. His photographs are a record of contemporary life in the city, and a song to its continuous history of humanity and venture.
He has chronicled New York’s independent / DIY creative communities for over a decade, creating a body of work that celebrates their spirit and grit. Walter’s photographs offer a vibrant counterpoint to narratives announcing the “death” of the city’s spark, while also examining the significant challenges faced by artists in New York today. Among his earliest work, Walter documented the final year of the Mars Bar, an infamous East Village dive which was lost to gentrification in 2011. His photographs of the bar preserve a fleeting glimpse of the world that existed inside, a portrait of an endless night connecting the city across generations.
Walter has extensive experience documenting the arts in every setting, from small independent venues to museums and galleries. He photographs performance, exhibitions and programming for clients including The Museum of Modern Art, MoMA PS1, Pioneer Works and The Shed. He also works directly with artists, curators and galleries in intimate and private engagements. Walter is known for his ability to create compelling images while maintaining a respectful and discreet presence, an ethical practice which he brings to every project.
While New York has been the setting for much of Walter’s work, he explores similar themes in projects beyond the city. He has collaborated with artists in Miami, New Orleans and Puerto Rico, and has traveled with artists nationally and internationally to document their work on tour.
Walter is self-taught. A native of the tri-state area, he photographed trains as a child and had his first photo published in Railpace Magazine as a teen. He rediscovered photography years later and built a successful freelance practice after careers in accounting and technology.
Selected Clients
The Museum of Modern Art
MoMA PS1
Performa
Pioneer Works
The Shed
GIPHY
NYC & Company
Times Square Arts
Photo by Lucia Arias