polina yamshchikov
picture editor (news/feature/editorial) and documentary photojournalist
12.29.15
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
“Lost,” David Wagoner (1999)
the Return
I have been rather absent from social media lately — been very busy. i’m going to work through the backlog and start posting again, I promise. Here’s an outtake from a shoot for the New York Times that didn’t make the paper:
Jean Grae for NPR Music
Made a quick portrait of Jean Grae for NPR Music in Bushwick yesterday. It was great to meet her. I’m a big fan.
A$AP Ferg for NPR Music
I made this portrait of A$AP Ferg for NPR Music last month using a gridded speedlight in a dark corner at NPR HQ. These five minute portraits sometimes make me nervous but he was a total delight. I think the best thing you can do is immediately get too close — the worst pictures, to me, are the ones that are coolly distant for no real reason. What a guy.
THUGGER/TRAVIS SCOTT
Killed me dead two weeks ago. Birdman showed up.
still Dipset
Made some candid portraits of Dipset backstage before their reunion show last month and then photograph their performance from the stage. It was tight. Hell Rell showed up. Hey Juelz. Sup Jim. Hi Killa. Freeky!
Catey Shaw for Inked
Had the opportunity for a quick studio shoot with singer Catey Shaw when she came by Inked for an interview last month.
action bronson at bb king’s for npr music
probably the prettiest live picture i’ve taken in a long time — this was taken standing on the stage after action had climbed into the audience and then onto the bar at bb king’s. what a great show
ain’t no love (in the heart of the city)
I photographed the protests here in NYC after the decision came down to not indict Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner. Things got intense once the march reached Times Square and there were a fair number of arrests, but overall the demonstrations stayed peaceful. Proud of my city.
The intersection of Sixth Ave. and 34th St… The march effectively shut down traffic in Herald Square.
polina yamshchikov 