The renowned UP Collective just opened its door for two new members: Melissa O’Shaughnessy and Alison McCauley. Alison and Melissa are the veteran collective’s first new recruits since its reinvention as UP (Un-Public) earlier this year. Russian photographer Igor Mukhin was the last new addition, in May 2018, to the UP family which now counts 25 members among its ranks. Now let’s introduce Alison and Melissa, we’ve made a selection of their work.
Alison McCauley
“Alison McCauley is a photographer whose approach to the people and locations she photographs is instinctive, open-ended and subjective. She weaves her images together to create non-linear, intuitive narratives. Alison’s work often explores the idea of identity, belonging and memory. Her images are frequently infused with melancholy and feelings of restlessness and loss.”
Melissa O’Shaughnessy
“I am a street photographer based in New York City. With my camera I search for those fleeting moments when the light, the people and the general chaos of the city collide in surprising, poignant or humorous ways. It is deeply satisfying to be able to freeze time in a fraction of a second and thereby hold on to the moment forever.
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, my husband and I moved east in 1991 and now split our time between Connecticut and Manhattan. We have three children and two grandchildren.”
“I didn’t develop a serious interest in photography until I quit my demanding job to spend more time with my children. Somehow I had the great good sense to sign up for a workshop with Joel Meyerowitz shortly thereafter. Joel’s contention—that ‘street photography’ lies at the very core of what photography alone can do—planted a seed in my brain that has since grown into one of the defining passions of my life.”
