Steven Schlesinger (1940 – 2022) was born in Brooklyn and lived on Manhattan’s lower east side for most of his life. After graduating from Martin Van Buren High School in Queens he enlisted in the Army. During his time in the service, he spent his off hours filling pages of drawing books with fantastical creations and dreamed of living the life of an artist. Once he returned to civilian life, he picked up his first camera, a Hasselblad 500C, which was a revelation. He established his first studio apartment on 14th Street in 1964 and spent the early years of his career (mid-to-late sixties) photographIng aspiring actors, musicians and models – some of whom went on to become global phenomenons. Steven was deeply connected and rooted to the City and spent decades capturing New York moments – both in his studios and on the streets.