When photographer Janette Beckman was a child, growing up in the quiet tree lined streets of London’s Hampstead, her mother would constantly admonish her, Whatever you do, don’t stare at strangers. Beckman never forgot and went on to make a living from doing just that.

By the time she arrived in New York, she had already accumulated an impressive portfolio of British musicians in the punk era, including artists from Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols to The Police, who commissioned her to shoot their first three album sleeves.

She quickly found work in New York, photographing luminaries from the world of literature, fashion, politics, sports and the media. Her work was published across the board from Rolling Stone to Newsweek.

She became the chief chronicler of New York’s growing rap movement and in 1990 published Rap: Portraits & Lyrics of a Generation of Black Rockers (with writer Bill Adler).

Transplanted from London to Manhattan’s Losaida in 1982, Beckman was fascinated by the phenomenal ethnic diversity of NYC’s residents. She began getting off the subway at random stations and photographing strangers of all ages and races. The Book project Don’t Stare at Strangers is the result of her quest to photograph the soul of the city streets. Janette Beckman lives in NYC and photographs people for advertising and editorial clients.

Book project Don’t Stare at Strangers is the result of her quest to photograph the soul of the city streets. Janette Beckman lives in NYC and photographs people for advertising and editorial clients.