I love making images. Long lasting images. But for most of my career, my work had a short shelf life. Not anymore.

 

With this project, I wanted to capture the character—and maybe even the spirit—of each person I photographed.

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A simple moment made permanent. And through these images, I aimed to show a Jewish community with people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, identities, and experiences—a collection that reflects our diverse as our community as a whole. Do these images explain what it means to be part of Jewish Hartford? Absolutely! Kind of? You decide.

Sometimes a photo says what words can’t. Why black and white images?

It wasn’t always easy—I love color photography—but taking color away lets the people, the faces, the moments, really stand out. The faces are what draw me in. The connection, the trust, the little unspoken exchange—it’s a gift, from them to me. The location, the background, the lighting—all play a part, supporting the story, adding dimension, and bringing out details you might otherwise miss.

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This project tested every part of my craft. Filling the JCC gallery with these portraits was a dream. Seeing that dream turn into a book has been incredible. I couldn’t have done it alone. My close friend David Jacobs was by my side the whole time, and a talented team handled every detail and every bit of logistics.

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Their support made this possible. And to everyone who stepped in front of my camera and shared a piece of themselves—thank you. 

There’s so much about Jewish Hartford—I couldn’t capture it all—but I’m honored to have tried.

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-Steven Laschever