Washington Square Park is a photographer’s dream. Every inch of it is bursting with inspiration: iconic monuments, beautiful plantlife, and dynamic people all coming together to create a space that thrives with life and excitement. And it is thanks to a talented group of photography volunteers that we have record of that beauty.

Everyone has a different reason for volunteering. For Gina, it helps to keep her connected to a place that she loves. A transplant from North Carolina, Gina’s first NYC digs were on Sullivan Street. “I was in absolute awe over the neighborhood. Washington Square Park was a place I could walk to every evening to hear music, see art, and run into familiar and new faces.” Her love and appreciation for the Park quickly inspired her to find a way to give back. She found the photography volunteer program in 2017 and the rest is history. Most recently, Gina won the online competition for the best WSP photo of 2018.

Although Gina has moved uptown, being a photography volunteer helps keep her tied to the community that she still feels deeply connected to, “and it gives me an excuse to take my camera and go!” Whether she’s exploring the quiet corners of the Park or cooling off by the fountain on a hot summer day, Gina appreciates every moment she spends there.

To learn more about how to become a photography volunteer like Gina, click here. We ask photographers to volunteer approximately 6 hours each month and participate in an orientation session, which will be held March on March 5th and 28th. Email volunteer@washingtonsquareparkconservancy.org to find out how to sign up.