Beach Lovers

Beach Lovers is a series of intimate moments shared by couples at the beaches of NYC. These moments hold intimate gestures of couples; some tender, rubbing sunscreen on a partner’s back; others lustful, a deep kiss in the water. Being amongst the waves and sand emboldens couples to enjoy more affectionate freedom, their inhibitions less hidden than anywhere else observed in the city. Beach Lovers is about the public display of intimacy between couples from diverse backgrounds, a claiming of public space for private tenderness.

Erica Reade is originally from Montreal Canada, and she has been living and working in NYC for 15 years. Reade holds an MA in International Affairs from New School University, with a background in youth development and women’s empowerment, with a focus on photography for social change. She worked in the nonprofit field for 12 years before becoming a full-time photographer in 2018. She is the Founding Director of the NYC photography collective Camera of the Month Club.