Company in Chinatown

(Select works from an ongoing collection of street photography in NYC’s Chinatown)

As a second-generation Chinese American, Chinatown was always a place of comfort growing up—where I’d see my dentist, get haircuts, and meet family friends over dim sum.

But in recent years, though, that rhythm has started to shift. Family businesses are closing, longtime residents are being priced out, and new developments are reshaping the skyline.

So, I started this series to capture the quiet rhythms and evolving character of the neighborhood. The kind of company you find in a morning game of 象棋 Xiangqi, at a sidewalk produce stand, or in a passing glance between neighbors. As Chinatown continues to change, I hope these images honor the faces, textures, and spaces that make it as vibrant as it is.

- Brandon Lu (blu), 2025