Behind the Lens: A Quiet Embrace at the 9/11 Memorial

In this series, 9/11 Memorial & Museum staff photographer Jin Lee shares his view of select photographs taken on the site.

I’m drawn to scenes like this, of people reflecting in quiet moments. I’ve been photographing the site throughout its many stages over the years, since before the Memorial was fully open to the public.

Now people can walk up to the pools and experience them freely like this, how the Memorial is intended to be experienced.

I noticed these two people, maybe a mother and daughter, this month while I was walking into the museum. They stood there embracing each other for a long time.

Moments like this move me on a personal level. Photographing them is a small way to capture what this place represents.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff