Sean Fryxell is a street photographer based in Beacon, New York. His work focuses on capturing raw and unfiltered moments, primarily throughout New York City. His images tell stories of the human condition and offer a glimpse into the lives of New Yorkers, preserving fleeting moments that define life in the present day.
He is a member of the New York City Street Photography Collective (NYC-SPC).
Sean typically carries his camera everywhere he goes and is prepared to take a photo at a moment’s notice. Much of his work is completed during weekend excursions into NYC and walking around 20 – 30 km. While some of these walks are done with a direction in mind, many times they completed aimlessly walking until he uncovers something interesting.
He draws inspiration from Lars Tunbjörk, Sinna Nassari, Daniel Arnold, and Alex Webb.
In 2024, he had a solo show titled "Attention Economy" at Contact Gallery in Brooklyn. The show utilized graphic design, animation, and photography to create a multi-medium experience. He highlighted the absurdity of idiosyncrasies of social media and modern technology. This was paired with the release of a Zine titled Loud.EXE.
Sean is also a Judge for this years Capture Awards
In this untitled series of images, Fryxell plunges the viewer directly into the visceral, unscripted theatre of public life.
There is a palpable energy that pulses through each frame, a sense of being present for a fleeting moment of pure, unfiltered humanity. Fryxell possesses a keen eye for the apex of an experience, whether it's the shared, upturned awe of a crowd witnessing an eclipse, the hedonistic joy of a beachside celebration, or the passionate embrace of a couple lost amidst the chaos of a fountain party.
Furthermore, it demonstrates his ability as a street photographer to 'blend in' – offering a non-threatening presence that allows him to get up close and personal to capture these images. This contrasts to another street photography style/trend which is to shove a camera in someones face for a forced reaction.
The work is characterised by a raw, cinematic quality, often using harsh light and deep contrast to heighten the drama of the everyday. His subjects are captured in moments of surrender – to joy, to exhaustion, to spectacle, or to some personal, enigmatic purpose, as with the man in a full suit wading into the sea.
From the political statement graffitied on a futuristic vehicle to the ecstatic abandon of a man lying on the pavement, Fryxell’s photography transcends simple documentation. It is a powerful exploration of the surreal, tender, and intense moments that erupt within the shared spaces we inhabit, revealing the beautiful and bizarre tapestry of the human condition.
You can see more of Sean Fryxell's work on his website, or follow him on Instagram.
