Lily Lightbourn Photography Featured in NYC Subway
A photograph by artist Lily Lightbourn has appeared at the Delancey and Essex Street station in New York City.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Photography
Live Poll
Should major cities prioritize featuring local international talent in their public cultural displays?
Photographer Lily Lightbourn has debuted a new portrait at the Delancey and Essex Street subway station in New York City. The image features Tajer Basden and Riley Jackson and was captured during a morning session at Spanish Point.
Why it matters
The public display serves as a prelude to the upcoming Fujifilm Fujikina Festival 2026. The event marks a significant celebration of photography across the city.
The photograph was captured at 6.30am using a Fujifilm GFX 100S II camera. The broader festival, which celebrates 200 years of the craft, will utilize eight venues across New York City.
The players
Lily Lightbourn
She is a professional photographer known for organizing open casting calls to source subjects for her work.
Fujifilm
This multinational photography and imaging company is the primary sponsor for the Fujikina Festival 2026.
Tajer Basden
He is a subject featured in the portrait currently on display at the Delancey and Essex Street subway station.
Riley Jackson
She is a subject featured in the portrait currently on display at the Delancey and Essex Street subway station.
The details
Lily Lightbourn utilized an open casting call on Instagram to find her subjects, Tajer Basden and Riley Jackson, for the shoot. The session took place at Spanish Point to utilize specific morning lighting conditions.
Timeline
The photograph was captured at Spanish Point in June 2026.
The Fujikina Festival 2026 begins on October 16, 2026.
The Fujikina Festival 2026 concludes on October 18, 2026.
Culture Shift
This installation aligns with the Fuji-kina tradition of integrating professional photography into urban environments to increase public accessibility. It reflects a trend of using transit infrastructure as a gallery space to bridge the gap between niche hobbyist communities and general commuters.
Commuters passing through the Delancey and Essex Street station can view the work as part of their daily transit routine. The installation encourages residents to visit the upcoming festival venues located throughout the city.
The takeaway
This installation highlights how morning light and intentional casting can transform transit spaces into galleries. Local photography enthusiasts can look forward to the citywide festival for further engagement with professional equipment and techniques.
Further reading
For more on local arts and exhibits, explore our Photography coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Royal Gazette.
Live Poll
Should major cities prioritize featuring local international talent in their public cultural displays?
