Jamel Shabazz facts for kids

Jamel Shabazz, born in 1960, is an American photographer. He is famous for his pictures of people and street life. His photos have been featured in books, art shows, and magazines. Jamel grew up in Brooklyn, New York.

Shabazz focuses his work on people and neighborhoods in America. He helped show the daily lives of African Americans and other groups in New York City. Jamel is known for capturing real scenes of growing up in the Black community. His photos show the fun and joy of city life. He presents people in a friendly and playful way, challenging old stereotypes.

One of his most famous photos is "A Time of Innocence." He took it in 1981 in Brooklyn. This picture shows young African American children playing. They are riding in a shopping cart on a busy street.

Jamel Shabazz's Photography Career

Jamel Shabazz has created many important photo collections. His book Back in the Days (2002) shows street style photos. These pictures were taken in New York City between 1980 and 1989. They capture the early days of hip hop culture.

Famous Photo Collections

• The Last Sunday in June (2003) features photos from ten years of gay pride events in New York City.
• Sights in the City: New York Street Photographs (2017) includes photos from four decades. These pictures show people living in the city.
• City Metro (2020) contains photos taken between 1980 and 2018. They show people riding the New York City Subway.

Shabazz's Work in Films and Art

Shabazz's photos have appeared in several projects. They were in the 2007 documentary film Planet B-Boy. His work was also part of the 2008 art show Street Art Street Life: From the 1950s to Now. This show was at the Bronx Museum of the Arts.

One of his photos became the album cover art for the 2011 hip hop album Undun by The Roots. Jamel Shabazz also appeared in a 2010 documentary. It was called Everybody Street by Cheryl Dunn. This film is about photographers who capture New York City street life.

In an interview, Jamel shared that he uses both film cameras and digital photography. In 2016, an actor played a fictional version of Shabazz. This was in a flashback scene in the TV series Luke Cage.

Awards and Recognition

Jamel Shabazz has received several important awards for his photography. These awards celebrate his skill and impact.

• 2010: Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation Award
• 2018: The Gordon Parks Foundation Award for Documentary Photography
• 2022: Gordon Parks Foundation/Steidl Book Prize
• 2023: Lucie Award for Documentary