I think that photography has allowed me to have a voice. I used to stutter, and once I overcame that struggle, it felt good to tell people they were beautiful and special.
Jamel ShabazzThere is just something about the common being. My education pretty much came from the streets, just connecting with people, different cultures. I gained the wealth just engaging at that level. I'm still like that. I continue to document everyday people versus the stars.
Jamel ShabazzFor me, the stars are the invisible people on the street that people don't really get a chance to know.
Jamel ShabazzWhen you look at my photos, just look into the eyes of my subjects. The eyes say so much.
Jamel ShabazzI think what it was with the war photography was the concerned eye, the desire to document these situations to show the world the horrors of war. It inspired me to document prostitution; inspired me to document homelessness in America. We are the richest country in the world, yet we have people suffering, so it helped me to look at things in that manner.
Jamel Shabazz