Jamel Shabazz

Jamel Shabazz has been documenting life for over 30 years. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., he picked up his first camera at the age of 15 and proceeded to record the world around him. A 20 Year Veteran of the N.Y. City Department of Correction. Jamel has drawn inspiration from the great James Van Der Zee, Gordon Parks, Leonard Freed, and Joseph Rodriquez. The author of 4 monographs, 'Back in the Days,' which is in it's 8th print addition 'The Last Sunday in June,' 'A Time Before Crack,' and 'Seconds of My Life.' Jamel has been featured in the in Vibe, New York Times, The Source, Playboy, The New York Times, Jalouse, American Vogue, French Vogue, & British Elle. Jamel is dedicated to mentoring youth, both in the field of photography and career planning. He has been a volunteer with the RUSH ARTS PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION for five years. This particular organization is geared towards exposing inner city youth to the arts. In addition, Jamel has worked with the Studio Museum in Harlem's' 'EXPANDING THE WALLS' project, a workshop focused on teaching youth the connection between photography, history, and community. Jamel is the founder of 'Project Positivity' started in Toronto 2007. This photography project creates platforms for teenagers to learn various forms of photography from established local photographers, who act as mentors. The participants who live within the community are supplied with cameras, guided in documenting life around them, and then given an opportunity to exhibit their work in a major gallery setting. Jamel is influential and respected worldwide in the art of street photography and has conducted various workshops on the 'Art of Street Photography' New ork University, Howard University, Ryerson University, the New York Press Club, International Center for Photography, & the Contact Photo Festival. Jamel curated a show entitled 'Positivity' at Danny Simmons' Corridor Gallery in Brooklyn, New York. This show featured 22 emerging artists from numerous cites. Jamel is presently working on a new book featuring his unpublished black and white photographs. Scheduled release date, fall of 2009. His work is in private collections world wide