A DEVELOPING LOVE

As the world went into lockdown, New York-based photographer Jeremy Cohen adapted. He shot portraits from his terrace that were picked up by an international title, and even set up a rooftop date that went viral. He speaks to BAYAR JAIN about photography and love in the time of a pandemic.

- BAYAR JAIN

You famously found love while self-isolating, on a rooftop adjacent to yours. How did you manage the dates?

When I’m restricted to being inside a box, in this case my apartment, I find that it can inspire creativity. My friend, Sam Morrison, originally thought of connecting with people via a drone. After I saw Tori Cignarella [dancing on a rooftop in the Bushwick neighbourhood, now a viral video], I knew I had to give his idea a shot.

Do you think you would have met Tori had it not been for this forced isolation?

I don’t think so. While in quarantine, I’ve been craving human connection. And I felt like I should try out Morrison’s idea. In other circumstances, we would probably just have waved at each other and left it there.

You’ve been doing portraits for some time now. How has the current situation changed your work?