I recently photographed a story for The Wall Street Journal about the new challenges Miami condo owners face.
The story focuses on the impact that a new law is having on Miami's real estate market. This law mandates older buildings to meet safety standards, leading to hefty special assessments for repairs. Condo owners, unable to bear these unforeseen costs, are being forced to sell at significant losses. The situation has stirred discord among residents, with some fearing potential developer takeovers while others grapple with uncertain futures in their once-desirable residences.
As buildings continue to age, more stories like these are coming to light. Deborah Acosta's reporting is excellent, and if you live in South Florida or are interested in real estate news, it is a must-read. You can read the full story here: New Florida Law Roils Its Condo Market Three Years After Surfside Collapse.
The assignment was to photograph the Cricket Club—one of the latest condos facing a substantial assessment—and portraits of some of the owners affected by the increase in HOA fees.
Going into this type of assignment, there are a few things I keep in mind. First, on a human level, I go in understanding that the people I'm going to photograph are going through something that is greatly impacting their lives. It's important to approach with compassion and understanding. In this assignment, the people I photographed were all very open and willing - they knew I would photograph - but that's not always the case. The reporter and I spent some time listening to them explain what they were going through before I even picked up my camera. The rapport one genuinely builds before photographing helps the final image tell the story. Why? Because there's a level of comfort and trust from the person that allows them to show how they truly feel.
On a technical level, I understood I would be taking photos indoors, or at least in a space with shade (their balcony), so I took a flash and a softbox. I also like to take a fast prime lens, in this case, a 35mm f/1.4 (my favorite lens). This allows me to photograph in dark spaces without the need for flash. In all, I had two Sony camera bodies, one with a 24-70mm f/2.8 and a flash trigger, one with the 35mm f/1.4, and a Flashpoint XPLOR 300pro with a 36'' softbox. I carry much more equipment in my bag, but that is all I used for this assignment. Below are the results.
MIAMI, FL - MAY 2: The historic Cricket Club Condominium on May 2, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Special assessments needed to renovate the building are adding up, forcing some of its residents that can't keep up with the rising costs, to list their condos for sale. CREDIT: Bryan Cereijo for The Wall Street Journal
MIAMI, FL - MAY 2: Sari Papir, 72, poses for a portrait in her apartment at the Cricket Club Condominium on May 2, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Sari is one of several residents that is being affected by the rising costs associated with living at the Cricket Club. CREDIT: Bryan Cereijo for The Wall Street Journal
MIAMI, FL - MAY 2: The recently renovated tennis courts at the Cricket Club Condominium on May 2, 2024 in Miami, Florida. CREDIT: Bryan Cereijo for The Wall Street Journal
MIAMI, FL - MAY 2: Maria Tkachun and her daughter, Victoria, pose for a portrait in her apartment at the Cricket Club Condominium on May 2, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Tkachun mortgaged the apartment with her partner a few years ago, and is now being affected by the rising cost associated with living at the Cricket Club. CREDIT: Bryan Cereijo for The Wall Street Journal
MIAMI, FL - MAY 2: Irene Vargas, a resident at the Cricket Club Condominium, looks at a display with all the proposed fixes for the condominium on May 2, 2024 in Miami, Florida. CREDIT: Bryan Cereijo for The Wall Street Journal
MIAMI, FL - MAY 2: Shaul Szlaifer (C) talks with a few other owners at the Cricket Club Condominium during a get together to celebrate the birthday of one of the owners on May 2, 2024 in Miami, Florida. CREDIT: Bryan Cereijo for The Wall Street Journal