New York City's relationship with photography is rich and layered, but unfortunately, is often seen as hackneyed and spent. Its iconic touchstones and most innovative moments, landscape and architecture have been photographed and re-photographed so many times that there is often an impression that nothing new can be said.  

Enter Ruben Natal-San Miguel, who has been photographing nearly every inch of the city for the past two decades, building on its visual history while adding his own, fresh perspective to the conversation. San Miguel, who moved to New York City from Boston in 1992, originally working as an architect, then art collector, curator and photographer, approaches its various communities with a unique sensitivity. His pictures, which cover wide geographical and cultural terrain, push against the too-often problematic gaze of documentary photography, in exchange for something that celebrates the city's many inhabitants. This may be influenced in part by his experience as a survivor of the September 11th attacks, and a desire to preserve what he holds dear. 

Made In NYC, San Miguel's first true retrospective recently opened at Station Independent Projects in New York City (coincidentally just days after Natal-San Miguel was nominated for a Magnum Foundation award), and is the first show of his work to go beyond straight photographs to include embellishments like rhinestones, elaborate lightboxes, and integrated text.

I spoke with Ruben to learn more about his trajectory and love affair with New York City. 

Interview by Jon Feinstein