Man Behind The Polaroid, Q&A With 1000Words

With the ever growing presence of Hip Hop influencers on social media, underground hip hop photographer 1000Words’ work has been getting him noticed with his infamous Polaroid shots of many artists we have in our playlists today. His unique old-school approach and ear to the latest music trends separates him from many photographers in the game. He definitly has a dope back story, and as we all know, a picture is worth 1000Words. Read our interview with the talented photographer below.

– For the last couple of years we’ve been noticing your photos and your influence. How long have you been taking pics?

I’ve been taking pictures and videos for 10 years. I actually started shooting the Polaroids four years ago.

– Briefly take us back to when you first started. Where does your name 1000Words come from? Are you a artist? or a fan?

To answer all of those questions in one, lol, I will always be a fan and now can call myself an artist. I started taking Polaroids without knowing how to display them, so I wanted a clever name and an accessible platform to present these Polaroids. What better than 1000words, it’s what a picture’s worth.

– What made you decide to do Polaroid shots with that specific style camera?

I got inspired to shoot Polaroids while at a charity event where a Polaroid was for sale. I thought to myself, I’m around cool all the time, let me give this a shot. So I went on eBay and purchased a Polaroid 600 business edition to start off, and the rest is history.

– What’s that main influence that wanted you to get in the Hip Hop scene. Specifically the underground.

I have always been a supporter of hip-hop, from buying cd’s, merch, and tickets to shows. And my bro, I’m from the South Bronx, the home of hip-hop, it’s in my blood. Kool Herc walked me home from school as a kid. Music got weird for some time and I mainly stayed listening to the old boom bap. These new brothers got me out here documenting magic. I feel it’s important for me to do my part in documenting and capturing this generation of up and coming leaders making their mark as it was for those who were documenting the culture from the beginning.

– The catalog of artists you’ve shot is insane! How did you network with all these guys?

The networking is actually just starting. I snuck into, or was given tickets by friends to get stuff signed for them for majority of the shows I attended. I would get my shots doing all that, I just winged it bro honestly.

– We noticed you collab with artists too. Talk about some of the music you’ve done.

I recently dropped an album, produced by 38 Spesh, featuring some of the artists I have taken pictures of. To see who’s on it, just search 1000words on any streaming platform and tap in.

– Name some of your favorite artists you’ve shot and networked with?

They are all special to me. Each picture has a moment. I can’t really choose.

– We assume you’ve kept all the auto-graphed ones. How much you have in your personal collection so far.

Bro, I been lost count. What’s the point when it’s always growing?

– Being known for take pics of some of the dopest underground hip hop artists, we always ask this question to everybody. What’s your definition of “underground hip hop”?

Underground hip hop is life; art in its purest form, raw, grimy, pain, substance. It’s truly a blessing. Underground hip hop is the foundation.

– Do you have a site? Where can people find more of your work and future endeavors?

Working on the site and on some merch. But currently I can be found mainly on Instagram @1000words.nyc or through email. I post daily, so all of my recent work is there.

– Lastly, and shout outs?

Shout out to Jasmine Rose Lazo, this is all for you.