Last Updated on 05/28/2025 by Nilofer Khan
Meryl Meisler is a legend of street photography. Before people like Erica Reade were making it cool to photograph Beach Lovers, Meryl did it at Fire Island and other places. Her work is a refreshing dive into nostalgia, love, and the sides of humanity that put smiles on our faces when everything else isn’t. That’s what you’re bound to find in her new book, Street Walker. The limited-edition hardcover book is made in Italy and contains images from the 70s and 80s at several places that we’d think of as Americana.
All images by Meryl Meisler. Used with permission. Her book, Street Walker, is available here. For more from Meryl, check out her website and Instagram @merylmeisler.
“Looking back on my early work, I’ve always sought to capture people expressing joy and humor through my photography,” Meryl tells the Phoblographer when asked about how she feels about her work vs lots of what’s around us today. “I am among the many people who cope (thankfully successfully) with depression. In addition to professional help, the act of photography lifts my spirits- then and now.” For Meryl, the ironic moments she documents help her through uncomfortable situations. It’s a big part of her wanting to always be thoughtful and present when shooting.
If something or someone makes me smile, I want to take a picture, seize the moment, and hold on to it. That outlook is what I continue to strive for in my personal, family, community, and artistic life. The realization that photography and other forms of artistic expression can lift others’ spirits is an amazing gift to behold.
Meryl Meisler
Of course, Meryl gets these moments when she’s out on the streets documenting in the way that so many others do. Clearly, as you look at the images, we can see a level of comfort in the people around her being documented. You’ll find all that in Street Walker, and we encourage you to check it out.