Ruby Nugent: Pearl Street

I'm an emerging photographer who loves to shoot documentary, street, and portraiture. A summer program I attended at Pratt at when I was 16 ignited a deeper love for the craft. There, I learned the art of analog photography and the power of natural light. Documentary and street photography became my playground, a constant chase for the raw, organic beauty found in everyday moments. This pursuit of light and shadow even led me to explore filmmaking, where I've had the privilege of creating award-winning short films. I currently work in film but recently re-entered the photography space, so I'm excited to find ways to blend both worlds.

I wanted to revisit the pop culture obsession with the 'messy lives of the powerful and well-dressed' with a modern twist, drawing inspiration from Gossip Girl and The Secret History. My moodboard channeled a mix of Chanel elegance, zoot suit flair, and the edgy vibe of LES skater culture. After whittling down my inspo to what felt like a cohesive aesthetic, I cast 4

models as to serve as an upper-echelon clique with a shared love of

secrets and fashion to further emphasize the concept.

Shooting outside the Met cloisters gave us that elite college campus feel, complete with a planned mix of posed and candid shots to capture both effortless glamour and the air of secrets they might be keeping. Venturing deeper into Fort Tryon Park allowed for a more abstract approach, with the changing light and shadows contributing to the sense of mystery. This location contrast perfectly captured the two sides of the story I wanted to tell: dazzling fashion and the secrets that lurk beneath the surface.

I was eager during the early days of the pandemic to find safe ways to build new connections, so I spontaneously decided to join my student paper. My biggest assignment sticks with me: photographing and writing about the Gullah Geechee museum and its incredible community. The tour guide, himself Gullah Geechee, radiated passion and love for his heritage. The experience resonated deeply.

I shared my Jamaican-American background, and we discovered surprising connections in our languages and cultures. Capturing the museum's beauty and being entrusted with sharing his story became a powerful reminder of the beauty and humanity that surrounds us every day, hidden in plain sight. It solidified my passion for photography – the ability to connect, document, and celebrate the richness of our world, even during challenging times.

There are so many! I have so much respect for Diane Arbus, Carrie Mae Weems. Following artists like Petra Collins and Nesrin Danan in the early days of Instagram and Tumblr really shaped my taste. I've recently become a big fan of Oscwaldo Cepeda. I love the way he plays with light.

As a newer photographer, I feel I'm still figuring out my signature style and voice. It can be intimidating to try a new skill, tool, or workflow, but I'm trying out different approaches slowly and steadily. It helps to remind myself that there's no wrong way to make art, and to slow down and enjoy the process. I love learning new things, so I'm enjoying the opportunity to explore.

Something I would say to aspiring photographers that I also tell myself is that you can only improve by doing the work. Someone much smarter and wiser than me once pointed out that early career artists become frustrated by the gap between their taste and their current skill level. The only way to bridge that gap is by continuing to make art, and giving yourself grace. Perfect is the enemy of the good. Good is the enemy of the done. Go out there and make something! It'll always be worth it.

This piece! Or a piece I worked on in high school that's still on my portfolio site called Gentle Men. I think the Tumblr inspo shines through. I'm still so proud of what 15 year old me was able to accomplish with a light from home depot, a canon t3i, and a few hours in a friend's basement.

Instagram: @/reelrubi

website: reelrubi.com

MUA: Katerina Pakis @katpackis

Models: Jose Harmon @swei.xo; Noah Eisenstein @noah_eisenstein; Jess @exempthumanspecimen; Kyra Sjolund @kyrasjolund