when words fail: a photographic journey through new york city

A mourner’s quest through New York City at dusk, looking for the light

The French expression for twilight is ’entre chien et loup’: the hour between dog and wolf. Between the familiar and the frightening. Pamela Thomas-Graham found herself in such a place when her husband, author Lawrence Otis Graham, died suddenly just days after their 29th wedding anniversary. Searching for solace, she decided to take a photography class. For her entire life, she had excelled at expressing herself with words. But sometimes words fail. This is the journal of a novice photographer, traveling by twilight throughout New York City, looking for light. A journey illuminated by streetlight, neon light, and candlelight. A journey from grief, fear, anger, fatigue, and longing to acquiescence. Complete with little firefly moments of grace. Night falls and twilight comes for everyone. What we make of it is up to us.

Pamela Thomas-Graham (b. 1963) is an American businesswoman, corporate leader, and author. She serves on the boards of several tech companies, and holds degrees from Harvard College, Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School. She was the first African American woman to become partner at McKinsey & Company; was president and CEO of CNBC; and Group President of Liz Claiborne. Thomas-Graham is a member of the Photography Acquisition Committee at the Whitney Museum of American Art. She is the author of three mystery novels published by Simon & Schuster.