Northside Neighborhood Photowalk
This past Thursday, I joined the Northside Neighborhood Photowalk in Cincinnati. It was a beautiful evening. The sun was shining, and so was the community spirit. Organized by William Imhoff and Daniel Iroh, this photowalk invites photographers of all levels to explore the vibrant Northside neighborhood together.
When I first heard about the photowalk, I was excited. Two different people, Chris Pender and Alex, had mentioned it to me in the same week. That was enough to pique my curiosity. I didn’t bring film or digital cameras with me, but rather, I decided to rely on my Pixel 7 camera phone. It’s a handy tool, and I’ve used it extensively.
The turnout was impressive, with 15-25 participants ranging from beginners to seasoned photographers. We all met at the McKie Recreation Center, the starting point of our journey. The route, which you can find here, took us through some of Northside’s most picturesque spots.
As we walked, I struck up a conversation with Isaiah Armstrong. He spoke passionately about how photography is a practice of being present. "Photography teaches you to be," he said, "to really be in the moment and appreciate the details." His words resonated with me. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, but photography forces you to slow down and observe the world around you.
Later, I had a fascinating conversation with Erin Seccia. We were admiring a blue pine tree, and she shared how she had a few of these trees in her yard growing up. Unfortunately, her father had to burn them for some reason unknown to her. This led me to ask Erin what she thought beauty was. She replied thoughtfully, "Beauty has to do with uniqueness." Her perspective made me reflect on how we find beauty in the distinct and the different, much like the varied scenes we capture on our photowalks.
The walk itself was a delightful blend of urban landscapes and hidden gems. We captured everything from colorful walls to serene parks. The diversity of Northside’s architecture and street art provided endless photographic opportunities.
One of my favorite moments was when we stumbled upon a quaint little stree, adorned with vibrant guarge doors. The way the evening light played off the colors was magical. It was a reminder of why I love photography – it allows you to find beauty in unexpected places.
As the sun began to set, I had to leave to a prior engagement, but the group was buzzing with excitement, finding cool object like a vintange chair and interesting persectives. There was a sense of camaraderie that only comes from shared creative endeavors.
If you’re in Cincinnati and have a passion for photography, I highly recommend joining the Northside Neighborhood Photowalk. It’s a fantastic way to explore the city, meet like-minded individuals, and hone your photography skills. The photowalk happens every Thursday at 6 p.m., starting from the McKie Recreation Center. You can follow their updates on Instagram.
Thank you to William Imhoff and Daniel Iroh for organizing such a wonderful event. And special thanks to Chris Pender and Alex for telling me about it. I look forward to many more photowalks and the opportunity to capture the beauty of Cincinnati with this amazing community.
