September 11 Photo Project
| Company type | Nonprofit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Photography, Memorial |
| Founded | September 2001 |
| Founder | Michael Feldschuh, James Austin Murray |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Photography exhibitions, book |
Number of employees | Unknown |
The September 11 Photo Project was a nonprofit community effort initiated in New York City by Michael Feldschuh, a former Wall Street professional and hobbyist photographer, alongside James Austin Murray, a New York City firefighter who responded to 9/11 and operated a gallery in Lower Manhattan. Launched just days following the September 11 attacks, this initiative offered an inclusive platform for anyone wishing to share photographs accompanied by captions. Its goal was to safeguard spontaneous outdoor memorials that were vulnerable to weather damage or removal by city authorities for archival purposes. The exhibition debuted on October 13, 2001, at 26 Wooster Street in SoHo, subsequently traveling to seven different cities over two years. It amassed more than 5,500 images contributed by upwards of 700 both amateur and professional photographers and drew an audience exceeding 300,000 visitors. Upon completing its national tour, the entire collection was entrusted to the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Collection within the New York Public Library’s permanent archives.
The Project’s objective was to display every photograph submitted without exception while remaining accessible to all attendees. It was showcased at the Chicago Public Library on the first anniversary of the attacks. Although some commentators expressed concerns about possible emotional numbness toward disaster-related visuals, critics such as Alan G. Artner from the Chicago Tribune argued that these well-known images continued to evoke deep emotional responses, demonstrating sustained public connection with the events of 9/11.
History
In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, Feldschuh began requesting photo submissions by handing out flyers in Union Square (New York City) targeting photographers capturing scenes related to the tragedy. Collaborating with James Austin Murray, they established the September 11 Photo Project initially featuring roughly 200 photographs within a 4,000-square-foot gallery space in SoHo. This venue operated as a communal forum where individual stories contributed toward shared healing and reconciliation. Unlike other contemporaneous 9/11 initiatives, this project remained completely open and public, empowering contributors to decide which images were exhibited.
Philip Kennicot of The Washington Post characterized the collection as consisting largely of candid or incidental snapshots taken with whatever cameras were at hand, portraying everyday existence abruptly disrupted by catastrophe. The exhibition expanded steadily: by April 2002 it showcased approximately 4,500 photos; by September 2002 National Geographic noted submissions exceeding 5,000; and by August 2003 it included works from photographers ranging in age from nine to eighty-one years old. The Star-Ledger underscored the Project’s significance in preserving immediate memorials and related artifacts. Among contributors was British photographer Jason Florio, who had just returned from Afghanistan days before 9/11 and narrowly avoided being caught up in the attacks.
Book
In May 2002, Judith Regan of Regan Books, an imprint under HarperCollins, published a book titled The September 11 Photo Project. This volume sold more than 60,000 copies, quickly achieving the number one spot on Amazon.com shortly after its release and remaining within the Top 10 for an entire week. Additionally, it appeared on the extended New York Times Best Seller list. All profits generated were donated to the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, contributing over $20,000 toward research, prevention efforts, education programs, and treatment related to burn injuries.
News media
The September 11 Photo Project garnered widespread attention from leading publications such as The Washington Post, The Times, Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, San Antonio Express-News, The Villager, Tribeca Trib, Chicago Sun-Times, and The Star-Ledger. It was also highlighted in major media outlets like The New York Times and National Geographic in connection with their coverage of September 11.
Further exposure was seen in magazines including The New Yorker, Gotham Gazette, Newsday, and Democracy Now, alongside international periodicals like Japan’s Gallery Monthly and Germany’s Stern.
Broadcast coverage featured segments on NY1, Fox News Channel (notably on Fox & Friends), CNN ART TV, 1010 AM KSIR Radio, WTKF-FM, as well as appearances on shows such as 60 Minutes II, Larry King Live, and PBS's Frontline. Internationally, the project was showcased on ITV London, France 3, Fuji Television, and NHK Japan.
Patricia J. Raskin referenced the project in her book Pathfinding: Seven Principles For Positive Living as an illustration of encouraging human empathy and connection. Founder Feldschuh underscored the significance of witnessing others’ experiences to nurture understanding and foster peace in the aftermath of tragedy.
Exhibition history and tour
Initially displayed at 26 Wooster Street in New York City from October 13, 2001, through January 8, 2002, the Project subsequently traveled to six additional venues. Each stop invited attendees to contribute their own photographs. According to co-founder Michael Feldschuh, the tour sought to address the "disconnect" felt outside New York regarding the events by creating a contemplative environment for public participation.
Tour dates
- 26 Wooster Street, New York City (Oct 13, 2001 – Jan 8, 2002)
- Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia (Mar 1 – Apr 7, 2002)
- Sacramento, California (Apr 26 – Jun 2, 2002)
- Armory Northwest, Pasadena, California (Jun 30 – Aug 4, 2002)
- Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago (Aug 17 – Sep 21, 2002)
- Detroit Public Library (Oct 15 – Nov 23, 2002)
- Atlanta (Dec 10, 2002 – Mar 31, 2003)
- New York Public Library (Aug 15 – Sep 20, 2003)
After completing its nationwide journey, the Project was exhibited at the main branch of the New York Public Library before being incorporated permanently into the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Collection. The extensive archive attracted FEMA’s attention for studying the event's progression. Additionally, it played a pivotal role in grassroots photojournalism by offering an authentic viewpoint beyond mainstream media narratives.
Personnel
- Michael Feldschuh – Co-Founder
- James Austin Murray – Co-Founder
- Nick Bravin – Senior Director
- Peter Meyer – Executive Director
- Belinda Lanks – Development Director
- Robert Debbane – Project Curator
- Walter Markham – Project Curator
- Dena Trakes – Media Director
- Robert Marano – Technical Consultant
- David Olsson – Volunteer
- Greg Stowell – Volunteer
Fiscal sponsorship was provided by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC).
Awards
The Photo Project was prominently featured at the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 110th Annual Convention held in Chicago from August 22 to 25, 2002. It was presented alongside Philip Zimbardo during the opening session entitled "Honoring the New York City Firefighters." Michael Feldschuh and Robert Marano delivered presentations focused on community recovery efforts following tragedy. Additionally, the Project was spotlighted at the University of Michigan’s September 11 Conference commemorating the event’s third anniversary.
In September 2003, the California State Senate passed a special resolution acknowledging the Project’s significant influence, noting an average of 1,000 daily visitors in Sacramento and a nationwide reach exceeding 300,000 individuals. The related book achieved placement on the extended New York Times best-seller list. Contributions to the exhibits came from over 700 photographers representing more than 40 countries.
The documentary film 110 Stories, inspired by the Project, received an Emmy nomination and was broadcast on TLC on September 11, 2002.