Share this
Taryn Segal is a New York City–based photographer whose work explores the raw edges of urban life through a distinctly analog lens. Working exclusively with film, her practice centers on street documentation, editorial portraiture, and candid event photography, often blurring the lines between spontaneity and intention. With a background in illustration and film, Segal approaches photography not just as an art form, but as a visceral experience—a kind of choreography between instinct, timing, and presence.
This philosophy permeates all of Segal’s work, whether she’s shooting from the hip in a crowded subway, chasing fleeting light through alleyways, or directing strangers in beautifully awkward moments. Her camera of choice is often compact, quiet, and analog—tools that allow her to remain unobtrusive while seizing intimate glimpses of the everyday. The results are images that feel both cinematic and immediate, offering viewers moments of tenderness, tension, and surreal humor nestled within the city’s noise.
In 2023, Segal published her first photo book, Bloodhound, a 140-page softcover released in a limited edition through Friend Editions. The book is a gritty, immersive collection of street photographs that reflect her intuitive approach—obsessed with movement, human detail, and emotional impulse. It serves as both a love letter to New York and a personal archive of the strange beauty she’s uncovered over years of wandering with a camera in hand.
Beyond her personal projects, Segal has shot backstage at runway shows, editorial campaigns, and music events, often bringing the same instinctive energy to controlled environments. Regardless of context, her imagery consistently highlights what’s unpolished and in-between—those charged, unrepeatable moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
With an ever-growing archive of film negatives, zines, and conceptual series, Taryn Segal continues to build a visual language rooted in risk, intimacy, and observation—capturing not just how the world looks, but how it feels to move through it.
Hi Taryn! Thank you for sitting down with me! First question that I always ask. How does a regular day look like for you in New York?
Taryn: On days I’m not working I’ll choose an errand as far away as possible from where I live that gives me a long stretch of NYC to walk and shoot. If I need to pick up new conditioner or my precious Elf eyebrow gel I’ll make an effort to select a Walgreens that’s so far out of the way that it becomes my route to photograph.
I’m curious, growing up in Los Angeles, what kind of kid were you? What did you enjoy doing, and how did you spend your time?
Taryn: I actually grew up in Santa Cruz! A lot of people get the impression that I’m from LA but I didn’t move there until I was 18 for school, but I myself feel like I grew up there more than in my hometown in terms of personal development. In Santa Cruz I had a strict upbringing, I knew my parents loved me but they were also entirely unsupportive of my artistic aspirations, then I’d get dropped off at school and be at odds with my teachers and battle to pass my classes. Despite my struggles with my environment I have always believed in myself and knew that once I could move away I would be able to truly start my life. Not only was I right but now everything is more peaceful, I was a really angry kid. As a recovered angry person, I really relish my surroundings now.
You moved to NYC when you were 23. Why did you decide to move there?
Taryn: I have had a big dream of moving to NYC since I was 14 and went on the famed 8th grade D.C trip which includes a quick stop in the city. After I graduated from college I went on a one month trip here and photographed what I saw on the street, it felt so natural. Even looking back at my high school photography I would take street shots when I was away from my hometown. I felt alive and like a new person after having shed schooling from my life for good. I met my best friend Mackenzie back in LA shortly after and moved in with her. One night we looked at each other and decided to take serious action and go to New York.
So how did you get introduced to photography? And how did you first start out practicing with your camera?
Taryn: I got my first camera as a gift when I was 14 and I still regularly use it to this day. I had begged my mom for one as a Hanukkah gift and I watched her find it for $50 on eBay. I took a dark room class at the local community college in my senior year of high school but I mostly disregarded the assignments and printed photos of my friends and my hometown findings.
Alright, so what made you want to start documenting the streets, backstages, people, and everyday situations?
Taryn: It’s what I naturally gravitate towards, I’ve never thought twice about it, I go towards what I like.
With that in mind, what do you look for when you’re out looking for your next motif to capture?
Taryn: I go through phases, I’m always taking mental note of what imagery I already have and shots I’ve missed and consciously go after what could make a strong pairing or a series. Sometimes after I feel like I’ve exhausted a certain photo I’ll let it pass me and challenge myself to try and go for it differently. I’m always vigilant for beauty and affection, in whatever form it disguises itself in.
How important is authenticity in your work? And can a picture still be good, if it doesn’t have any?
Taryn: Yes to both. In my own work authenticity is top priority. As for how others work, some of my favorite photos are staged or abstract, each photographer has a different reason for shooting the way they do.
What makes photography your preferred medium of expressing yourself?
Taryn: Documenting life is a second nature instinct that takes over me. If given the chance to reflect back the nuance or mood I see to someone and have it land effectively, I feel understood.
Your work captures both chaos and intimacy. Why are those themes important to you?
Taryn: I think New York is chaotic and because I live here and am photographing my surroundings it may seem that chaos is something I gravitate towards, but I am merely a spectator! I can’t have it touch my life outside of my art. As for intimacy, Intimacy has always intrigued me because I love love and am comforted knowing that other people are in it. I have a relationship with whoever I’m photographing, just for a moment. Not romantically, but a bond of trust, even in the off guard moments with strangers. For one second, we have a relationship with each other. In moments where I am taking a proper portrait and I can feel the lack of trust from my subject, it always shows up in the photographs. The absence of a bond dominates the mood I was initially attracted to and can leave the image feeling sterile.
Do you think photography can be a way to process personal emotion, or is it more about curiosity and observation?
Taryn: Absolutely yes to both. A lot of photography for me is about risk taking. I look for mood, I personally find my work falls more into the curiosity category but I can’t help myself, I love the risk of sneaking a moment for myself and the chance of confrontation. I’m always thinking “what can I get away with.”
You’ve often mentioned your love for analog photography. What does shooting on film give you that digital can’t?
Taryn: Risk. Film also begs for intention, each shot costs money.
You sometimes direct strangers in candid moments—how do you approach them? Has anyone ever reacted badly?
Taryn: I’ll seek permission when I feel it could add to the photo, but most times I’ll pluck from the vine without asking. I’m happy to report that no one has ever gotten mad at me, even during my flash blasting moments. I recognize that I have girl privilege in these circumstances. I’m short, not a looming older man.
Other than the camera and lens. Are there any essential items that you always bring with you when shooting?
Taryn: I always have earbuds in and I can typically recall what I was listening to when I took a certain photo.
Are there any particular neighborhoods, times of day, or seasonal changes you’re especially drawn to?
Taryn: Outstanding question because it allows me to talk about how much I love when fall begins to transition to winter and we get this really rich, golden lighting in the city at 3pm. The shadows are harsher and longer earlier in the day and it looks more surreal to me.
Can you tell me about the making of “Bloodhound”, what inspired it, and what story were you trying to tell?
Taryn: I’ve had my work described to me as having “caught something”, my mind went to crimescene sniffer dogs and how they discover their finds. Bloodhound felt fitting for a photobook that heavily revolved around my street documentation.
So what do you hope that we, the observers, take with us after viewing some of your photos?
Taryn: That I am an extremely intentional person. Everything I do is on purpose, and though I have always been a decisive person, moments on the street slip through my fingers all the time by falling into thinking when I should be reacting. I always hope that the mood that was present when I took a photograph can be felt while viewing my images, regardless if on screen or paper.
Ok Taryn, now to something totally different. In a parallel universe who would you be? and what would you be doing?
Taryn: I thought I was going to be an illustrator my entire growing up life, but I ended up going to school for film, but photography went from being a peripheral hobby to the front seat of my life. I think I would be showrunner had I stuck to my initial film degree plans.
Outside of photography, what’s something you’re obsessed with right now—maybe a hobby, a show, or even a food—that keeps you grounded or inspired?
Taryn: I love a solo trip to the movies. I’ve collected Zoltar fortunes for over a decade now and I stop at every machine I see. I’m into running into people I know on the street and my favorite time of day is blue hour.
What motivates you?
Taryn: There is a life that I want and I have to have it.
Alright Taryn, I always ask these two questions at the end of an interview. The first is. What’s your favorite movie(s) and why?
Taryn: I have a list in the notes app on my phone called the CriTaryn Closet and some of my faves are: “Shallow Grave” – Danny Boyle’s first film. To me it’s a perfect movie and such a stand out in the way we’re being whipped around and introduced to the main characters’ personalities, also a very unique friendship story. Another all time favorite is “Thoroughbreds” – directed by Corey Finley. Perfect weird girl movie, perfect temperature of tension and I think it’s so interesting that it was originally intended to be a play. Great early Anya Taylor Joy and Olivia Cooke, also Anton Yelchin’s final movie sadly.
The second is. What song(s) are you currently listening to the most right now?
Taryn: I am a major song repeater and if I like a song I’ll happily listen to just that for a few hours to a day(s). This summer I’ve been listening the most to:
“Soul and Fire” – Sebadoh,
“Baby I’m Yours”
– Cass Elliot’s version
“Let There Be Light”
– Justice (This whole album has been a constant summer listen, great noise to shoot to)
“Medicine for Horses”
– Viagra Boys
… Baby One More Time – Britney Spears (I’ve been shooting a lot of street to Britney lately)
“Post Break-Up Sex”
– The Vaccines (but this song always shows up in my spotify wrapped top 5)
“Bang Me Box”
– Miley Cyrus
