Kids often lie on the grass, gazing at the sky, imagining shapes in the clouds. As adults, we rarely allow ourselves this simple pastime. Instead, we navigate urban environments with purpose—eyes fixed ahead, moving from point A to point B, often glued to our phones or the pavement.

Straight Up reclaims that childlike act of looking skyward, but from within the city. Every city has a unique skyline shaped by its architecture, open spaces, and topography. Yet there’s a stark difference between viewing a skyline from afar and experiencing it while walking its streets. By leveling the camera and pointing it directly upward, Straight Up reveals the microcosm of the skyline accessible to anyone who pauses, looks up, and takes notice.

The resulting images capture the open spaces between buildings, streetlights, signs, and trees, transforming them into striking, abstract forms. These shapes subtly repeat, shift, and create a rhythmic visual language—familiar yet distinct to each city. When grouped together, they form a kind of spatial fingerprint, reflecting a city’s history, culture, economics, and needs as inscribed in its built environment.

Born in New York City, the series now spans more than thirty-five cities across fifteen countries. Each city is photographed in exactly the same way, allowing direct comparisons and contrasts between their skylines. New images are shared regularly in the Stories section and on Instagram, expanding this evolving archive. The portfolio above showcases select images, offering a glimpse into this growing body of work.