September 11th Memorial

During a recent vacation in New York City I felt drawn to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. What unfolded at that site, in Washington DC and in the air over the United States more than 13 years ago helped to shape my generation. That act resulted in me being dispatched to Afghanistan alongside CIA and special forces operators. I was there as a young and eager photojournalist, documenting the US reaction to the attacks. The trauma of 9/11 and my subsequent assignment overseas even helped forge a relationship with my future wife.

What I found in lower Manhattan was fascinating. It was part gravesite, part tribute and part look back at contemporary and still-raw history. And of course in that New York way, it was also now a top tourist destination —likely for reasons similar to what drew me there.

These photos attempt to document an average day as people browse the museum and memorial, and explore the site of the new World Trade Center. I don’t pass any judgment on people posing and smiling for photos in front of the memorials. Most experience a unique mix of emotion there. And many don’t know exactly what to do. I sure didn’t. That’s why I started making photos.

These photos were all captured on an iPhone with the Hipstamatic classic photo app.