No Boundaries

Smoke and Julissa are married and have been together on and off for the past few years. Through altercations between them last year, Smoke currently has a restraining order and is not supposed to be anywhere near her or their 1 year old son. A few days before I met Julissa, Smoke called her up and asked if they could meet up. I've never seen Smoke like this, scared and nervous, he didn't think that she would agree to meet after what happened between them (private information). Smoke's hopefulness was fulfilled and Julissa agreed to meet. Their love was immediately reborn and freer than ever. 

Smoke's famous quote: "I don't need no rubbers with my wife" ...
In fear of another baby on the way, they head to planet parenthood and get a pregnancy test. As Smoke and I wait in the lobby, you can see his anxiousness, he gets up walks around, grabs a cup of water, gulps it down, sits back down, shoves his head into his hands, impatiently waiting for his wife's results. Julissa walks out the door with a blank face, she doesn't tell Smoke her test result until they get outside; a big smile appears on her face and he knows exactly what that means, no. 

Photographs & Words: Abdul Kircher

This Is It

You kind of just go on day by day, not realizing that this is all going to end one day. Life flashes by you before you know it. So let's live it up. This is our night, our last night.

Photographs: Abdul Kircher

You Are My Brother, No Matter What.

I’ve known Crazy Dave (some of you may know him as Noah) for a couple of years but never exchanged many words with him. Over the weekend, I ran into him and his brother Smoke, who just got out of jail a few weeks ago. Crazy Dave and Smoke are currently homeless and are waiting to get placed in a home for the winter. Meanwhile, Smoke is fighting for visitation rights for his 1 year old son. Lonely and painful nights away from his son feeds into his alcoholism. It may seem like Smoke doesn’t deserve to see his son but when you’re on the streets day and night there isn’t much to do but smoke weed and drink your pain away. Dave’s presence keeps Smoke sane and hopeful; if it wasn’t for their brotherhood they would both be lost.

Photographs & Words: Abdul Kircher

A Real Bronx Tale

I spent my weekend with the Carnegie family in the Bronx. Mrs. Carnegie is 8 months pregnant and tries to get the most rest that she can. Mr. Carnegie works two jobs to support his family and is barely seen around the house. Big brothers, Keshawn and Elijah, have to take responsibility into their own hands and watch over their little brothers. Since Elijah and Keshawn are at school or busy doing chores, it's hard for them to find time for their brothers. So Aaron and Justin have to find ways to entertain themselves, spending most of their time alone. 

Photographs & Words: Abdul Kircher

Flash Dance

MORE. MORE. MORE. Neon words scream out over a writhing room glittery, gorgeous bodies. The boys look like girls and the girls look like boys and everyone is dressed better than you are. Photographer Abdul Kircher cuts the two-block deep line waiting to get in to cover opening night. 

Photographs: Abdul Kircher

Queens Night Out

Grab the blue eyeliner; we’re heading to Queens. Photographer Abdul Kircher is on the move, heading uptown for a Crysto Martyr performance with model Omahyra and co. We’ve got headbanging, blunt smoking, and a Virgin Mary portrait flanked by two busted ACs. Welcome to New York. 

Photographs:  Abdul Kircher