South Side

My grandmother was born in South Philly. I can remember her saying this for as long as I have been alive, but it hasn’t had much meaning until now. What I have learned about South Philly is that it has always been a place where new immigrants settle. Initially, in the late 19th and early 20th century, Italians, the Irish, and the Polish populated the area. Then, Blacks emigrating from the south moved in. In the present day, you have pockets of immigrants from Vietnam, Cambodia, Russia, and Mexico, among others. It’s a pretty diverse place, although the fabric of the neighborhood is still dominated by the Italians.

I always have a touch of anxiety when I start to photograph in a new place, especially if I want to photograph people. When I walk up to folks to ask if it’s okay to shoot them, that fear of rejection, not felt since junior high, comes welling up from no-where.

That is why I was so impressed with the people of South Philly. I gotta tell you – these people were the definition of friendly. For example, when I started talking to two older men standing outside a house (ie interrupted their conversation), they were gracious enough to not only pose for me, but to tell me their story. One of them, the older of the two, had lived in the house we were standing in front of his whole life (literally). After 10 minutes he said “hold on” and slowly disappeared into the house. He emerged a few minutes later holding his purple heart from WWII. “Do you want to photograph this?” (see photos 3, 4)

Then there was the young gentleman sitting outside on a stoop. He had been eyeing me as I walked down the street taking photographs, so I knew he knew what I was going to ask him, and I also knew he had already made up his mind. “Sure, why not.” Turns out he was sitting outside his family business, a pig cooking place (I’m sure there is a more technical name for it, but it’s beyond me). He told me all about how they get the pigs, prepare them, cook them in the brick ovens, and then ship them out to local venues. He invited me to come back when his father and brother were there so I could photograph them actually preparing the pigs. Really? (see photo 6)

Finally, I approached a group of three people sitting on the concrete side walk in lawn chairs. They clearly owned the corner. I think they were more amused by me than anything. Turns out, the house they were sitting in had been in the family since the late 1800’s. They told me about an upcoming Italian festival taking place on that street in October and insisted I come back. “And it gets really crowded, but you can use our bathroom if you need to.” By the time I was finished shooting them, 3 or 4 more people from the neighborhood had gathered round – curious as to who the newcomer was. (see photos 7,8)

So now I’m proud to say – I got roots in South Philly y’all!


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