Anything can happen in New York City. Running out to the deli for a quick lunch may mean detouring around a film shoot. Powering through Grand Central at rush hour may have you starring in any number of tourist snapshots. And stealing a moment to daydream out a cafe window while waiting on a latte could see you “liked” by thousands in one of Paola Franqui’s Instagrams.
Franqui, better known on the image-sharing app as @monaris_, searches the city to capture what she calls “reflection stories,” framing snippets of everyday life within New York City’s human tapestry, and inviting viewers to engage with the image using their imagination.
The 32-year-old was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico but moved to the Northeast as a teenager and now calls Edison, NJ home. Although she graduated Rutgers University with a criminal justice degree and a minor in sociology, photography is now her full-time career, with clients like Ray-Ban, Royal Caribbean International, HOKA shoes, Deutsche Welle, ESPN, and Sam Adams beer.
Adorama caught up with Franqui to discover her secrets for stealthy street photography, and why she believes practice and experience to be the best teachers of photography skills.
Adorama: First things first. What is your gear setup and your usual editing workflow?
Franqui: My usual gear set up is my Sony a7R II and the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 lens, but I also love shooting with the Sony FE 55mm f/1.8. I edit all of my photos in Adobe Lightroom and I’ve made many custom presets throughout the years. I currently use only one preset for all of my photos because I like to keep a consistent look and aesthetic throughout my Instagram feed.
Adorama: What would you consider to be elements of your signature style?
Franqui: I think my photos are more about emotion than anything else. I want the viewer to look at my photos and feel something. Everything has to work together. The story, colors, and the subject should, in combination, elicit a deep emotional connection.
Adorama: Was there a moment you remember first falling in love with photography?
Franqui: Back in 2012, I downloaded Instagram and immediately became fascinated by the way people were using the platform to showcase their photography. Suddenly all I wanted was to go out and document life with my camera. I was taking photos of everything I thought was interesting, but it wasn’t until I started taking photos of people in the street that my true love for photography was confirmed.
I am a self-taught photographer and everything I know about photography I’ve learned from watching YouTube videos, reading books, and talking with photographer friends.
Adorama: How do you make a living right now, and how big a role does your photography play?
Franqui: I quit my full-time job more than a year ago to pursue photography as a career. I am now a freelance photographer and wouldn’t have it any other way. I travel a lot, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. I am living my best life. I have no regrets, and am just a girl excited about what the future may bring.
“I am living my best life. I have no regrets, and am just a girl excited about what the future may bring.”
Adorama: How do you feel about having your work and style compared to that of Vivian Maier’s?
Franqui: I have to say that Vivian Maier is my absolute favorite street photographer. I can’t get enough of her work. Oftentimes, when I’m feeling uninspired, all it takes is opening one of her photography books and I immediately again feel the rush to go out and shoot. I also love the fact that she was a female photographer. There are more and more female street photographers now and I truly believe we are capable of changing the world. I just want to continue paving the way for other female street photographers and, hopefully, have the chance to inspire others. I don’t think there’s a more beautiful compliment than being compared to Vivian Maier. I must be doing something right.
Adorama: You often capture images of individuals whom you spontaneously spot and who are lost in their own thoughts. What attracts you about someone in a thoughtful or daydreaming state?
Franqui: You can tell so much about a person by the way they look out into the world, and one of my favorite things to do is imagine what they are feeling. I want to share their stories.
Adorama: What do you find to be the greatest challenge of photographing strangers in an urban setting?
Franqui: I think the greatest challenge is the unpredictability. You never know how the subject is going to react or what they will do. But, then again, this is one of the things I love most about street photography. Every scene is different as the world is always changing.
Adorama: If someone were to react unfavorably to being photographed, how would you recommend a photographer respond and defuse the situation?
Franqui: If I’m taking a photo of someone and they react in a unfavorable way, the most important thing to remember is to be respectful and simply walk away. Even though I am the one with the camera, they are still the ones in control and their wishes should always be respected. If they come up to me and ask why I was taking their photo, I tend to smile and explain who I am and what I do. One thing that I always do is give them a compliment and put forth a positive attitude.
Adorama: You captioned a recent image by saying: “I fall in love with almost every person I photograph. I wish I could know their story. I want to get close. It’s so personal for me.” What keeps you back from following your desire to speak to these strangers?
Franqui: I think it’s just my personal style and preference. I’d rather come up with a million stories in my head than go up to a subject and start a conversation. This is how I feel now, but maybe in the future my style will change and I’ll adopt a more personal and conversational approach to photography.
Adorama: Although you often shoot in NYC, you also travel. What destination has most exceeded your expectations?
Franqui: I have been fortunate enough to travel to many beautiful places this year, but Cuba has been my favorite. It is a street photographer’s paradise and so photogenic overall. The people are so kind and humble. Everywhere we went we were welcomed with a smile. I’ve been to Cuba twice now, but I am already looking forward to returning again. Cuba holds a very special place in my heart.
Adorama: What neighborhood would you say every photographer should check out while in New York City, and what do you find so special about it?
Franqui: My favorite place to shoot in the city is Chinatown. Every time I go I find something new to photograph. I love the grit and raw scenes of everyday life that are always present in these streets.
Adorama: What’s your single favorite photo you’ve captured and shared, and can you tell the story behind it?
Franqui: It is one of my reflection stories. There’s an older woman and a younger girl looking at each other through the reflection and it’s as if one is looking forward while the other is looking back. I’m sure they have lived many different lives but, in that moment, they became one. I love capturing moments like this.
Check out Franqui’s full Through the Lens episode below:
