© Jamel Shabazz, The Look of Love, 1995. Every August, previous Top 25 Lenscratch Student Prize Winners interview a hero or mentor. Today, Christian Lee and Jamel Shabazz engage in a life-changing conversation. Jamel Shabazz, a legendary photographer and chronicler of U.S. history and culture, is celebrated for his work documenting African American communities, hip-hop culture, and urban life from the 1980s onward. His art, described as ‘visual medicine,’ bridges social documentary and profound community empathy.
Jamel Shabazz was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. At fifteen, he began documenting his peers, inspired by photographers like Leonard Freed, James Van Der Zee, and Gordon Parks. In 1980, he embarked on a mission to document New York City’s youth culture and social conditions. His spontaneous street photography became iconic, capturing the essence of Brooklyn’s culturally rich neighborhoods like Flatbush, Red Hook, and Bed-Stuy.
Shabazz’s work has been featured in over two dozen solo exhibitions worldwide, including Art Basel, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. He has authored five monographs and contributed to numerous others, with a new book, *The Book of Life*, in progress. His community service includes mentoring youth through organizations like the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation and the Bronx Museum’s Teen Council.
A former correctional officer at Rikers Island, Shabazz spent 20 years mentoring NYC youth at risk of addiction and crime. His empathy and dedication to social responsibility have earned him recognition as a truth-teller, teacher, and community advocate. His photographs, which often reconnect him with subjects decades later, reveal deeper stories of resilience and dignity.
Christian Lee, a UCLA art student, interviewed Shabazz during his final weeks of graduation. Lee shared his admiration for Shabazz’s influence, noting how his photographs inspired him to see deeply and connect with marginalized communities. The conversation highlighted Shabazz’s generosity, humility, and deep humanity. He emphasized the importance of building relationships with the people he photographs, as these connections are as vital as the images themselves.
Shabazz’s projects include a book on Harlem (1980–2025), a retrospective with Taschen, and a focus on downtown Brooklyn, where he reconnects with people he photographed in the 1980s. His work on Prospect Park reflects his healing journey after years in prison, where he found solace in the park’s therapeutic spaces. He credits his aunt’s childhood visits to the park for instilling a sense of freedom and community, which he now shares with others through his photography.
Shabazz’s Instagram presence has allowed him to reconnect with subjects and share their stories, fostering deeper connections and insights. His practice now relies on digital archives, though he occasionally revisits physical photo albums for specific projects. His legacy transcends art—it is a testament to the power of empathy, storytelling, and the transformative impact of photography on society.