New York City’s subway is more than just a way to get around—it’s a stage where millions of lives briefly cross paths every day. Photographer Chris Maliwat captures these fleeting connections in his stunning series Subwaygram, a collection of street portraits that reveal the heart and soul of the city underground. Shot over four years—two before and two after the COVID-19 pandemic—Maliwat’s photos show how life, emotion, and community continued to pulse through New York’s subway system, even during times of change.

“NYC Care”

Two men wearing jackets and jeans resting closely together on a New York City subway, showcasing life underground street portraits.

Based in Brooklyn, Chris Maliwat has been exploring the poetry of daily life for years. A former black-and-white film photographer, he’s now recognized internationally for his empathetic street portraits. His work has been featured in The Guardian, LensCulture, and Huck Magazine, and his book Subwaygram was published by Daylight Books in 2022. Today, he continues to document the ever-changing pulse of New York as a member of Soho Photo Gallery and a Google Pixel Photo Ambassador.

“My Fair Lady”

Woman with bright red hair and star-spangled sunglasses wearing a red coat in a captivating NYC subway street portrait.

“Lady Bugs”

Father and three young girls wearing masks and colorful dresses captured in a street portrait on NYC subway.

“Train Or Halloween”

Two fashionably dressed individuals wearing bold outfits and boots sit side by side on a NYC subway street portrait.

“See No Evil”

Two masked passengers sitting on NYC subway seats, one showing phone screen to the other, capturing life underground street portraits.

“Faces”

Diverse passengers seated in NYC subway car, capturing candid moments of life underground in street portraits.

“Ilegalyque”

Punk passenger with green mohawk hairstyle sitting in NYC subway, holding phone, capturing street portraits underground.

Brooklyn Bound

Young man sitting in NYC subway car, wearing green jacket and scarf, captured in a candid street portrait underground.

“Slurpee”

Two stylish women wearing colorful outfits and seated inside a NYC subway, capturing street portraits underground.

#10

“Movie”

Diverse passengers including a woman with blue hair and headphones captured in NYC subway street portraits.

“Warlock”

Young woman with blue hair on a phone call, holding bags, waiting near subway platform railing in NYC subway station.

“13”

Young man sitting in NYC subway with large suitcase and backpack, a candid street portrait capturing life underground.

“Six Sense”

Woman wearing a bright pink ruffled dress holding phone, captured in a captivating street portrait inside NYC’s subway.

“Do The Math”

Man with tattoos and unique face mask holding hands with woman wearing a mask in a candid NYC subway street portrait.

“Strategic Planning”

Two young women sitting and talking inside a NYC subway car, capturing street portraits and life underground.

“Now Open”

Two men sitting on a subway bench, captured in a street portrait from NYC’s subway life underground.

“Empowered”

Diverse passengers captured in candid subway portrait with NYC subway map in background, showcasing life underground.

“Fantastical”

Three women seated inside a NYC subway car, captured in a street portrait showing diverse daily life underground.