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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.

More info: Instagram | tiktok.com

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#1

"NYC Care"

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

subwaygram Report

Final score:
44points
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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.
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    #2

    "My Fair Lady"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    42points
    POST
    gregg_pentecost avatar
    Pferdchen
    Pferdchen
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The photos in this listicle exemplify why I think NYC is one of the greatest cities in the world. It is such a melting pot, people coexist and exercise their personal liberty. Of course, I do realize that other people see such things and think "Babylon!"

    7
    7points
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    #3

    "Lady Bugs"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    39points
    POST
    mikefitzpatrick avatar
    Mike F
    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cute pic. That guy is gonna be in big trouble in a few years.

    14
    14points
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    #4

    "Train Or Halloween"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    34points
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    #5

    "See No Evil"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    31points
    POST
    mrs-diel avatar
    The Majestic Opossum
    The Majestic Opossum
    Community Member
    Premium     1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Took me a moment to notice the lizard she's holding!

    16
    16points
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    #6

    "Faces"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    27points
    POST
    multanocte avatar
    Multa Nocte
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That little girl is a cutie! I love her ballet style slippers and that interesting neckline on the dress. I would have loved a dress like that at her age, although I was never that cute.

    19
    19points
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    #7

    "Ilegalyque"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    27points
    POST
    sineadk130 avatar
    Sinead Kenny
    Sinead Kenny
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He ain't hurting anyone, if he is happy then why not? I like his dgaf attitude. We need more of this in the world!

    16
    16points
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    #8

    Brooklyn Bound

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    22points
    POST
    multanocte avatar
    Multa Nocte
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A man who doesn't manspread! Guys, it's actually rather se‍xy when you don't manspread.

    20
    20points
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    #9

    "Slurpee"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    21points
    POST
    karen_m_wylie avatar
    Senjo Krane
    Senjo Krane
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They look like the night didn't go as planned.

    10
    10points
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    #10

    "Don't Be Afraid"

    Woman wearing fishnet stockings and mask sitting on NYC subway, part of captivating street portraits from life underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    21points
    POST
    mrs-diel avatar
    The Majestic Opossum
    The Majestic Opossum
    Community Member
    Premium     1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Haha, I love her shirt 🤣

    14
    14points
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    #11

    "Movie"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    20points
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    #12

    "Uptown Express"

    Woman with face mask and glitter makeup using phone, wearing fishnet tights, standing in NYC subway station portrait.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    20points
    POST
    #13

    "🙂🙃🙂🙃🙂"

    Colorfully dressed person with decorated hat and large bag standing on NYC subway platform in street portrait style.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    20points
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    #14

    "Spirited Away"

    Young couple resting together on a New York City subway bench, showcasing intimate NYC subway street portraits.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    20points
    POST
    #15

    "Turtle Sandflowers"

    Woman in floral dress sitting on orange NYC subway seat, captured in a captivating street portrait underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    19points
    POST
    marshalldavies avatar
    Agfox
    Agfox
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a good combination to me

    7
    7points
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    #16

    "Connected"

    Two stylish women in leopard print coats sitting in NYC subway, captured in street portraits showcasing life underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    18points
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    #17

    "Blond Ambition"

    Two passengers captured in a street portrait on NYC’s subway, showcasing diverse urban life underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    17points
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    #18

    "Secret Soldier"

    Woman and two children sitting in NYC subway, one child reading a book, captured in street portraits underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    17points
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    #19

    "Less Rules More Sugar"

    Father and daughter seated in NYC subway, each focused on their phones, with a heart-shaped balloon nearby in street portrait style.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    16points
    POST
    debandtoby13 avatar
    Lady Eowyn
    Lady Eowyn
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Which one is disabled?

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    #20

    "It Takes Two To Tango"

    Two people wearing leopard print masks on NYC subway, capturing street portraits life underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    14points
    POST
    #21

    "Utopian"

    Two subway riders wearing colorful leopard print shoes and patterned face masks captured in a NYC street portrait.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    14points
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    #22

    "Turn That Frown Upside Down"

    Middle-aged man in a blue checkered shirt sitting thoughtfully on an orange subway seat in NYC underground street portrait.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    13points
    POST
    greynook76 avatar
    GREYNOOK
    GREYNOOK
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    thinking financially 🤦‍♂️

    3
    3points
    reply
    #23

    "Hello Boy"

    Two stylish young passengers captured in captivating street portraits riding NYC’s subway, showcasing urban life underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    13points
    POST
    multanocte avatar
    Multa Nocte
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's always amazing to me as to what some people think is attractive clothing, but that's why this world is so interesting. There are so many of us with differing ideas.

    17
    17points
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    #24

    "It's Not Easy"

    Elderly man in glasses and green shirt captured in a street portrait inside NYC subway train, showcasing life underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    12points
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    #25

    "Who"

    Person wearing glasses and a mask, sitting on a subway bench with headphones, captured in a NYC street portrait.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    12points
    POST
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    #26

    "It's Ok To Look"

    Woman and child wearing masks seated in NYC subway, captured in a candid street portrait highlighting life underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    12points
    POST
    jamesuthmann avatar
    Khavrinen
    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spiderman logo on his mask, and they're both wearing blue and red. Does that mean she's SpiderMama?

    5
    5points
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    #27

    "Boots On The Ground"

    Young woman in bright pink boots and patterned skirt sitting in NYC subway, a striking street portrait capturing life underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    12points
    POST
    #28

    "Beauty Exclusively"

    Woman in bright outfit waiting on subway platform as man wearing mask sits inside NYC subway car street portrait.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    12points
    POST
    tonyahmcanelly avatar
    Tonyah Mcanelly
    Tonyah Mcanelly
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    im getting an 80s vibe from this girl

    3
    3points
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    #29

    "Supreme"

    Woman wearing white dress using phone inside NYC subway, captured in street portrait showing life underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    11points
    POST
    greynook76 avatar
    GREYNOOK
    GREYNOOK
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    This comment has been deleted.

    #30

    "Warlock"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    11points
    POST
    #31

    "Let Us"

    Two young women wearing masks and stylish clothing sit in NYC subway, captured in captivating street portraits underground.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    10points
    POST
    kyrahadley avatar
    Bonnie Blue Bird
    Bonnie Blue Bird
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love the boots. Are these Docs? Time to go shopping.

    10
    10points
    reply
    #32

    "13"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    10points
    POST
    #33

    "Six Sense"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    10points
    POST
    lfgrdm avatar
    Just me...
    Just me...
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh the awful dresses we wear when we agree to be a bridesmaid

    8
    8points
    reply
    #34

    "Strategic Planning"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    10points
    POST
    ravenkbh avatar
    Ravenkbh
    Ravenkbh
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "you know your nips are showing"

    -3
    -3points
    reply
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    #35

    "Party"

    Woman in a floral top standing inside NYC subway, captured as part of street portraits showcasing life underground in the subway.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    10points
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    #36

    "Never Forget"

    Elderly woman wearing colorful jacket and scarf, sitting on NYC subway bench in a candid street portrait.

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    10points
    POST
    #37

    "Do The Math"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    9points
    POST
    nicholasnolan avatar
    nicholas nolan
    nicholas nolan
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Leave some Tiger Claw for the rest of us, bro.

    5
    5points
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    #38

    "Now Open"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    9points
    POST
    nicolaroberts avatar
    Nicola Roberts
    Nicola Roberts
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm sure he's thinking this shirt used to fit before Covid.

    5
    5points
    reply
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    #39

    "Empowered"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    8points
    POST
    #40

    "Fantastical"

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

    subwaygram Report

    Final score:
    8points
    POST

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