We were there
American photographer and photo director Mark Contratto created iconic portraits that captured the faces, personalities, and creative spirit of the artists, performers, and cultural figures who shaped a generation.
New York in the 1980s and 90s felt like a beautiful conspiracy. Artists, musicians, designers, performers, and beautiful outsiders all moved through the same clubs and studios. We worked all night, borrowed what we needed, and photographed our friends. It was wild, creative, and very us. We weren’t watching the culture happen—we were living it.