Retirement usually means less work, fewer surprises, and a cleaner attic. Unless, of course, you're a photographer with a lifetime of negatives waiting upstairs. And that's exactly where we continue our conversation today. 😊
In Part 2 of my conversation with photographer Meryl Meisler, we explore the remarkable second chapter of a life that had already been quietly filled with photographs for decades. After spending more than thirty years as an art teacher, Meryl found herself opening old boxes of negatives and rediscovering an extraordinary visual archive that would eventually become books, exhibitions, and an international audience she never expected.
We talk about the changing face of Bushwick, the making of her first books, teaching art for more than three decades, and the strange and wonderful experience of seeing photographs from another era take on a completely new life. It is a conversation about persistence, creativity, and the realization that some images simply need time before the world is ready for them.
And of course, being Meryl, the conversation also wanders into New York hotdogs, lifelong friendships, terrible singing voices, and all the little stories that make life in New York so wonderfully memorable. Because sometimes the best conversations—and the best photographs—are the ones that take a few unexpected turns along the way.
More than anything, this episode reminds us that photography is not always about immediate recognition or success. Sometimes it means carrying a camera through everyday life, storing away the negatives, getting on with teaching, raising friendships, and trusting that the work will find its moment when the time is right.
So grab a coffee and join me for Part 2 of this wonderful conversation with Meryl Meisler.
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📸 Meryl Meisler:
https://www.merylmeisler.com
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Thanks for listening and look out for our next episode! 🚀
