Captured by Brooklyn-based photographer Lanna Apisukh, They Skate is a photographic project highlighting womxn and gender non-conforming skateboarders in New York City. Shot primarily on film over the past two years, this project shares stories of courage and athleticism through portraiture and documentation of the young individuals that make up this small but growing community. We caught up with Lanna to learn more about this project, what her favourite skate spots are in New York City and why she feels documenting her local skate scene is important to her.
Photography by Lanna Apisukh
What inspired you to start this photo project?
In the past ten years, I’ve been noticing a lot more females and genderqueer skaters in the city. Seeing them fearlessly bomb down the streets with so much confidence, style and determination has been a huge inspiration for me to start this project.
Back when I first started skating in the 90s, there were very few girls that skated in my suburban hometown in Central Florida. Being female and a minority, I was always a bit intimidated to skate among the boys that dominated the parks, so to see the space evolve into one that is more diverse and claimed by a younger generation of women and gender non-conforming individuals is very empowering to me.
How did you get connected with the skaters you’ve photographed in New York City?
I’ve been skating this city on and off for the past ten years and have grown to know a lot of the local skateboarders just by meeting them at the parks around the city or at events. Often times they’ll be skate clinics organized by Quell Skateboarding, NYC Skate Project or Skate Like a Girl. I’ve made a lot of connections and good friends through these awesome organizations.
What’s your favourite spot to skate and photograph in the city?
My favourite spot right now is Martinez Park (skaters call it Blue Park since the ground surface is blue). It’s a good size street course in my neighbourhood of Bushwick and I made a lot of my favourite portraits there this past year. The golden hour light there is amazing in the summer. Other spots I like to skate are Cooper and McCarren skatepark. Utica DIY in East Brooklyn was also an interesting location to skate and photograph since it was an abandoned basketball court that looked like a jungle with all its crazy plant overgrowth.
You’ve shot They Skate primarily on film. Can you tell us why you prefer this medium versus digital?
When I first began photographing skaters, I was mostly shooting with a digital camera. It was easier for me to get good action shots but I found myself drawn more to making portraits with an analog camera. It allows me to slow down and collaborate more closely with my subjects and since there’s a finite number of images in a roll of 35mm or 120mm film, it helps me capture scenes with more intent. I also love the look of film grain and the tactile feeling of a mechanical camera in my hands. It feels closer to skateboarding (no batteries needed) if that makes any sense!
Why is documenting skateboarding right now especially important to you?
I think it’s a pivotal time to be documenting skaters and the scene since it has evolved so much. Skateboarding has been added to the 2020 Olympic Games for the first time in history and there are a growing number of organizations such as Skate Like A Girl, Quell Skateboarding and NYC Skate Project that are doing a lot in their communities to make skating more inclusive and accessible for women, genderqueer and non-binary individuals. It’s an exciting time and I feel it’s important to shine a light on the individuals that are a part of this moment.
What are you working on next? Any goals for 2020?
My plan is to continue making portraits with skaters in New York City but I’d also like to capture the skate scene in smaller towns and other cities. So if you’re reading this and you’d like to be a part of this project, please hit me up on Instagram.
@apisukh
