Nathaniel Tetsuro Paolinelli

New Mexico–based photographer working in the American Southwest. Documentary projects centered on community, culture, and place.

New from UNM Press
Seventh and Central: Lowriders

a photographic tribute to Albuquerque’s vibrant lowrider culture

“Paolinelli’s photographs are current, raw, and deeply human, and they honor a subculture that’s unique to our particular place and time. His reverence for his subjects conveys a remarkable trust and openness.”

– Suzanne Sbarge, Founder and Former
Executive Director of 516 Arts

Seventh and Central

Mexico City during Día de los Muertos is filled with memory, color, and life. This series documents moments I witnessed in the streets and among the crowds, where tradition, ritual, and everyday life come together in powerful ways.

Mexico City Día de los Muertos, 2025

Explore Project
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These are photographs I return to for one reason or another. They are not bound by a single project or theme, just a personal edit of images I like. Some are here because of the subject, some because of the light, and some because they simply feel right.

Moments Places People

Moments Places People

A shirtless man with tattoos on his chest and arms, wearing an eye patch over his right eye, with short hair and a goatee, standing outdoors on a cloudy day.
A person sits on a modified car that is flipped upside down, with the front tires off the ground in an urban setting with parked cars and buildings in the background.
Four children behind rusted metal bars; one boy with a tattooed arm standing, one young girl with a bracelet and diaper leaning, and two other children peering through the bars inside a dark cell.
Group of four people, two women, a girl, and a man, holding signs with spray-painted messages related to immigration and geography outdoors near an overpass, with graffiti on the wall in the background.
Black and white photo of a woman with styled, platinum blonde hair, wearing a sparkly dress, getting a cigarette lit by another person. She has artistic makeup with thick eyeliner and long eyelashes.
Person wearing a clown mask, holding a rifle, standing near a weathered wooden fence.
A group of bikers, possibly motorcycle club members, standing outdoors under a partly cloudy sky. They are wearing vests and clothing with patches and insignias, with some faces covered with masks. One woman in the center has a vest labeled "Property
A man with a beard and dressed in traditional Jewish attire, including a long coat and hat, walking on a city sidewalk under an umbrella on a rainy day. Other pedestrians and storefronts are visible in the background.
People standing in a line on a rainy night, some holding umbrellas, on a city street with wet pavement and shop signs.
A person wearing traditional Native American attire, including a large feathered headdress, jewelry, and patterned clothing, at an indoor event.
A black and white photo of a group of people sitting at a bar, with one woman with a large, wild hairstyle in the center, surrounded by others who are talking, looking, and drinking.
A young man wearing a cowboy hat and denim jacket, smiling at the camera, outdoors on a sunny day with trucks and people in the background.
A clown seated on stairs holding balloons outside a closed storefront at night.
A tattooed man wearing glasses, a backward cap, and a chain, holding a sleeping baby wrapped in a headscarf, outdoors with trees and a building in the background.
A black-and-white photo of a protest with young women holding signs. One woman is sitting on the ground holding a sign that says, "YOU CAN'T TRUST ME WITH A CHOICE BUT YOU TRUST ME WITH A BABY?" Another woman sitting next to her holds a sign that say
A shirtless man with tattoos and chains around his neck standing outdoors, with a fence on one side and a building wall on the other, looking away.
A woman with curly hair and tattoos looking directly at the camera in a dimly lit environment.
A person lying in a hammock outdoors with their legs and feet visible, and their reflection can be seen through the fabric. A garden statue and trees are in the background, and a dog is in the foreground.
A man with a beard and mustache stands outside in front of a chain-link fence, dressed in a white shirt with suspenders, wearing a cross necklace, and looking to the side.
Black and white photo of a city skyline seen through an airplane window, with buildings partly obscured by clouds and fog.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing hoop earrings, seated inside a car, looking out the window with a slight smile, while a child is in the backseat.
A tattooed man standing in front of religious street art depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe, with a black shirt, baggy pants, and sneakers.
Black and white photo of a woman holding an umbrella and looking at her phone on a rainy street, surrounded by people and bicycles.
A man and a young boy sitting together inside a wooden structure, with clothes hanging in the background.
A black and white photo showing mannequins in a dressing room, some without clothing, with a mirror reflecting the room and mannequins, and posters on the wall.
Inside a train with passengers sitting, some reading newspapers, and luggage visible. The photo is in black and white, featuring overhead hand straps and advertisements.
A person with tattoos on their arms and a large tattoo on their head, facing downward, with hands resting on the back of their head in a tattoo studio.
A young man with tattoos on his face and neck, wearing a black cap with a Nike logo, in a crowded night scene with blurred lights.
A person riding a bicycle on a city sidewalk as pigeons fly away from the ground near a closed metal rolling door with a parking sign in the background.
Black and white photo of a man with tattoos on his head and arm, wearing gloves, looking at the camera in an art studio or gallery background.
Black and white photo of a flight attendant standing in the aisle of an airplane, holding a boarding pass, with overhead compartments visible.
A man sitting crossed arms on the back of a truck with equipment, looking to the right. In the background, there are silhouettes of three people near the horizon, and a sign on the right that reads 'Passenger Load Only.' The image is in black and whi
Three people sitting on a subway train, all looking at their phones, behind a window with a reflection of another passenger.
Black and white photo showing the rearview mirror of a motorized vehicle reflecting a young man's face. The driver, viewed from behind, wears a striped shirt and is slightly to the left in the image. The scene appears to be a busy street at night wit
A person in a bikini with bunny ears and leggings sitting in a wheelchair outside a entertainment venue with neon signs and other people in the background.
A young woman with tattoos sitting on an examination table in a tattoo studio, looking at her phone. The studio has a large window behind her, with art supplies and a framed photo on the counter next to her.
Black and white photo of an elderly man wearing a hat and a floral shirt, standing on a city sidewalk at night, with blurred people in the background.
Black and white close-up of a man with long hair, a thick mustache and beard, wearing a leather jacket with metal studs, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression, with a chain-link fence in the background.
Black and white close-up of a man's profile with numerous tattoos on his head and neck, including a portrait of a man with a mustache and hat, a banner reading "LIFE" and other tattoo designs. The background is blurred with bright lights.
A young boy sitting on a bench, wearing a cowboy hat, patterned shirt, and jeans, with his hands clasped, looking serious, in a black and white photo.
A man sitting on a bench with a serious or confused expression, wearing a flat cap and argyle sweater vest. Behind him is a neon sign that reads "PROFESSIONAL as F*CK," with the asterisk censored, mounted on a dark wall. There is a pillow with a grap
People standing in line outside a building at night, some engaged in conversation, with a woman walking away from the camera in the foreground.
A man with curly hair, beard, and mustache lying shirtless on his side on a bed with dark sheets, in front of a colorful, abstract-painted wall.
Black and white photo of a crowd of Chicago Cubs baseball fans sitting in stadium seats, wearing Cubs hats, jackets, and scarves, showing excitement and anticipation.
A woman is standing behind a wire fence, smiling and reaching out her hand to shake hands with another person whose hand is visible in the foreground. The woman is partially obscured by leaves and the fence.
Two women standing close together on a subway train, with one woman in the foreground partially out of focus and the other woman looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.
A man with tattoos on his hand and neck, with a beard and slicked-back hair, resting his head on his hand with eyes closed, wearing a dark sweater.
Three people walking outside in front of a modern building, two men and a woman, black and white photo.
People standing outside the Knockouts Gentlemen's Club with a sign that reads 'No Cover,' and a smaller sign indicating doors open at 2 PM, seven days a week, with options to try a discreet rear entrance.
A young boy dressed in traditional Native American attire, wearing a feathered headdress and decorative accessories, looking intently at the camera in a cultural event or celebration.
A woman with dark hair, wearing a hooded light-colored shawl, stands with her arms crossed in front of a clothing store, with blurred clothing racks in the background, in black and white.
Close-up of a person's arm with multiple tattoos, including '505' and 'Dunk' on the wrist and hand, with the person resting their hand on their opposite arm.
A person dressed in a Day of the Dead skeleton costume riding a bicycle decorated with flowers in a parade. The person is wearing a skull mask, a hat, and a suit. Behind them, there is a decorated truck with children and adults on it, and a crowd of
Three men with tattoos standing at a gas station, two are standing and one is sitting, in black and white.
A person dressed in traditional Native American attire with a feathered headdress, face paint, and elaborate jewelry.
A person wearing a baseball cap, a bandana covering their nose and mouth, and a dark shirt, standing in an indoor space with blurred background lights.
Black and white photo of a man and woman at a fairground or carnival, with the man holding a toy helmet, both looking at the camera with serious expressions.
Two women with tattoos sitting at a table outdoors at night, one smoking a cigarette, with drinks and phone on the table.
A man with braided hair and a beard smoking a cigarette, wearing a leather jacket and a graphic T-shirt, standing on a city sidewalk in front of a wall with graffiti.
Black and white photo of a shirtless man showing chest tattoos, with tattoos on his hands, wearing a beanie, necklaces, and a jacket, standing in front of framed artwork on a wall.
A young woman playing pool in a dimly lit room with large circular ceiling lights.
A man with a beard and a hat that says 'F*** TRUMP' is making a gesture by placing his middle finger on his forehead and looking directly at the camera.
A person with short dark hair and bold makeup, wearing a strapless top and light-colored shorts, standing in a room with a table and various objects in the background.
A person with spiky blond hair wearing large sunglasses, glittery platform boots, plaid pants, and a furry tail, sitting on the street at night, taking a selfie.
A man with long, curly hair smokes a cigarette outdoors at night, with a light and some equipment visible in the background.
Two women embrace each other closely; one woman with short hair and the other with curly hair, both with neutral to intense facial expressions. The woman on the left has her eyes partially closed, is wearing a patterned scarf, and large hoop earrings
A man with dark sunglasses sitting on a bicycle with large front wheels, parked on the sidewalk next to a brick wall, with sunlight shining from the left side of the image.
Crowded subway train with many passengers, some standing close together and others holding onto handrails.
A woman walking on a city street at night with motorcycles parked behind her and various storefronts with signs in the background.
Group of children and a young man standing and sitting on a paved area near a body of water, with buildings in the background, in black and white.
'Street scene with a masked man wearing a vest and striped shirt looking to his right, busy urban area with posters, signs, and electrical wires overhead, black and white photo.
Black and white photo of a woman with long dark hair, tattoos on her arms, wearing sunglasses on her head, and a white tank top with the word 'Love' printed on it. She is looking at the camera with a serious expression, in what appears to be a crowde
A young person in traditional Native American attire, featuring beaded jewelry, a feathered headdress, and face paint, looking off to the side.
Black and white photo of Angkor Wat temple complex with reflection in the water and trees surrounding the area.
A woman wearing a hooded jacket with stripes, adjusting her hood, with tattoos on her face, looking intently at the camera in a black and white photo.
Black and white photo of the New York City skyline featuring the Empire State Building in the foreground, with other skyscrapers and the Brooklyn Bridge in the distance under cloudy skies.
A woman sitting on the floor near a wall, cooking or heating something with smoke rising, surrounded by bags and papers.
Two women at a nighttime carnival or fair, standing close together. The woman on the left has curly hair, wearing a black top and shorts, with tattoos visible on her arm. The woman on the right has straight black hair, wearing a zebra-print dress and
Black and white photo of city street viewed from below elevated train track, with cars on road and buildings, trees, sidewalks on sides.
Night scene at an outdoor nightlife district with neon signs, people socializing, and women in bikinis posing, black and white image.
Tattoo artist inking a tattoo on a person's arm, black and white photo
A black and white photo of a group of children and an adult seated in a vintage convertible car on a city street, with reflections of clouds and trees on the car's hood.
Black and white photo of numerous hot air balloons floating above a landscape with mountains in the background and a reflective body of water in the foreground.
A person sits on a porch looking out at water and trees beyond, framed by an ancient stone doorway with carved walls inside.
Two children on a boat in a flooded area, one standing and the other sitting, with trees and hills in the background.
Night city street with cars parked along the curb and two tuk-tuks, one with a person visible inside, under an overpass.
Black and white photo of old multi-story buildings along a river, with arches in a stone wall and their reflections in the water.
Black and white photo of a vintage car driving at night with motion blur background, showing the side profile of a classic automobile.
A person with short blonde hair, wearing sunglasses, a sleeveless T-shirt with the words 'D.A.R.E to resist drugs and violence,' tattoos on their arms and stomach, and high-waisted jeans, is standing on a street at night adjusting their sunglasses wi
Black and white photo of a subway car with many seated and standing passengers, some reading or using electronic devices.
A woman standing at a night street market, holding a rope above a stall, with blurred people and motorcycles in the background.
A black and white photo of a woman with glasses sitting on a bus, looking down at her phone. The bus has a sign indicating it is going to Coney Island.
A vintage black car parked in front of a neon-lit tattoo shop at night. The shop has a large 'Custom Tattoo' sign and illuminated 'Open' and 'Tattoo' signs.
View of the Brooklyn Bridge from below, showing its stone towers and crisscrossing suspension cables in black and white.
Black and white photo of the entrance to an indoor shopping mall with a staircase and an escalator. A woman in a white shirt and dark pants stands on a marble platform, holding a phone in her right hand.
A person with a shaved head standing in a room with equipment, wearing a white t-shirt and denim overalls.
Black and white photo showing a mountain seen through a car window with a side mirror reflecting other cars on the road.
Two women posing together in a bar or nightclub, one wearing a lace dress and the other a crop top and shorts, with bottles on the counter behind them.
A street scene showing a large number of motorcyclists and scooters waiting at a traffic light, with cars in the background.
Black and white photo of two motorcyclists, one with helmet facing forward, the other with back turned, riding through a narrow alleyway with high wall on one side and trees and buildings in background.
A person with tattoos on their arms and blond hair, wearing a black face mask and black T-shirt, standing in a tattoo studio, leaning over a worktable with tattoo supplies.
A topless man with tattoos and a necklace, looking directly at the camera, in a room with shelves of bottles and framed paintings.
Black and white photo of a busy city street with many motorbikes, cars, and high-rise buildings, with elevated train tracks overhead
Two women inside a store seen through a glass door, with shelves of pillows and supplies around them.
Black and white photo of two performers on stilts wearing traditional Mexican skeleton and Day of the Dead costumes during a street parade, with a crowd of onlookers and trees in the background.
A woman with long hair behind a foggy, rainy glass window, out of focus.
A man skateboarding on a rail in an urban area. Black and white photo.
Several rosary beads and crucifixes hanging in a shop display.
A person with a high mohawk hairstyle and tattoos, standing inside a shop with various clothing items and accessories hanging on the wall.
A young woman with long hair in a white tank top and shorts standing in front of a small door on a street at night, in black-and-white.
People waiting to board a crowded subway train.
An older woman cooking with chopsticks on a portable stove on a sidewalk, with a small stool underneath her feet, while a family watches inside a small eatery or home in the background, in black and white.
A man is lying on a motorcycle amid a crowded street filled with parked motorcycles and scooters.
Black and white photo of a woman sitting on a bus, looking out the window. The bus has a large window with some visible characters and numbers, including a phone number and other text. The woman's face is visible through the window, and she appears t
A street vendor shop selling sunglasses, hats, and apparel with a woman talking on a cellphone behind the display in a market.
A young boy wearing a plaid shirt stands in a livestock pen, holding a Dalmatian puppy with a harness, with a large white bulldog nearby, inside a barn or animal exhibit.
A black and white photo of a woman petting a dog as a splash of water or dust particles surrounds them, with three other people in the background.
A cowboy holding ropes on horseback, with a flag in the background amidst a western setting, in black and white.
A smiling woman in traditional dress dancing, with blurred background of other dancers and stage lights, in black and white.
Children riding a Ferris wheel at an amusement park, captured in black and white.
Young Native American boy in traditional costume during cultural event, wearing feathered headdress and decorated attire, black and white photograph.
Black and white silhouette of a carnival swing ride with children on swings and a nearby amusement park ride with flags against a dusk sky.
A cowboy on horseback, holding a lasso, in a rodeo arena at night, chasing a speckled, galloway cow.
Children dressed in cowboy hats and Western attire at a livestock event in an indoor arena.
A cowboy in fringe chaps and a western shirt leading a steer into a livestock pen at a crowded indoor event, with people and large screens visible in the background.
A crowded street scene in Japan at night with illuminated signs, storefronts, and many people walking and sitting, in black and white.
A man in a suit looking at his phone and smoking a cigarette in an indoor public space, with others in the background.
People boarding a train at a station, some with backpacks, in a black-and-white photograph.
A man dressed as a train conductor leaning through a small window in a door, wearing a uniform with a cap, watch, and gloves, looking to the side.
Two mannequins dressed in women’s clothing on display in a store window, with two women observing and looking at them from inside the store.
Two young adults sitting against a brick wall, one is lighting a cigarette with a lighter while the other is holding a can of Modelo beer; they are in a dimly lit setting.
A man with a beard and tattoos wearing a vest and a bandana with patches and embroidery, standing outdoors under a partly cloudy sky. Mongols MC
A police officer holding a rifle and wearing a uniform, standing on a city sidewalk at night while several people stand nearby outside a building with brick walls.
A man with long hair and a beard, dressed in a floral shirt with a scarf, stands outdoors at night holding a cigarette and some paper or money, with a faint smile and illuminated by surrounding streetlights.
Crowd of fans at a stadium showing support for Chile, some wearing masks and costumes, holding scarves and flags
A woman looking into a decorative mirror, applying lipstick, with her reflection visible.
A woman sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle, wearing a shiny hat with fringe, illuminated by streetlights, with a worried or anxious expression, at night.
A woman with long wavy hair, wearing sunglasses, large hoop earrings, a headband, and a necklace, smiling outdoors in black and white.
A black and white photo of a man with tattoos on his neck, smoking with smoke rising from his mouth, looking upward against a dark background.
Silhouettes of three people in the foreground watching a baseball game at night in a stadium. The field is illuminated, with players and field markings visible. The background displays large screens and advertisements, including one with the word 'NU
A person peering through window blinds, wearing glasses and a face mask, looking outside.
Two boys are standing inside a high-rise building with large windows overlooking a cityscape and water. One boy, on the left, has a serious expression and is looking at the camera, while the other boy, on the right, has his back to the camera with ar
A tattooed man carrying a young boy on his shoulders on a street at dusk, with cars and blurred city lights in the background, black and white photo.
A black and white close-up photograph of a man with short hair, wearing a patterned scarf covering his mouth and nose, and a jacket. He has intense eyes and furrowed brows, with lights blurred in the background, suggesting a night scene.
A woman waving while walking on a city street at night, with a man walking ahead of her. The image is in black and white and slightly blurred.
Two women sitting inside a vintage lowrider car, with one woman in the foreground wearing a hat with the name 'Lefa' and the other woman in the background looking at her phone. Albuquerque, New Mexico
A tattooed man wearing a beanie lifts his shirt to reveal large tattoos on his chest and abdomen, inside a dimly lit room.
Black and white photo of a vintage car interior seen through the window, with a woman with tattoos and styled hair standing outside, partially obscured by the car, against a plain background. Lowrider Albuquerque New Mexico
A black and white portrait of a man with tattoos on his face and head, wearing a dark shirt with a collar.
A person wearing a monstrous mask with spikes and a mouth design, holding an axe, standing amidst smoke and rain at night.
Black and white photo of a man behind a cage, with a distressed or intense expression, looking through the bars.
The back of a person's head with tattoos, including a large letter 'L' and 'M' on the scalp and various words tattooed on the neck, in black and white.
A tattooed man with glasses and long blonde hair, seated at a table covered with comic book art, surrounded by comic posters on the wall.
Black and white photo of an ambulance with two paramedics inside, looking out the window. The ambulance has the words 'PARAMEDIC UNIT' and 'ALBUQUERQUE' on the back.
A young woman with long hair flowing in the air, standing on a bridge at night, smiling with her head slightly turned to the side.
Black-and-white portrait of a woman with tattoos, large earrings, and a bandana in her hair, standing outdoors.
A woman sitting at a table inside a worn, scratched glass-fronted café or restaurant, seen through the glass. She is drinking from a cup and appears to be engrossed in her meal. The photo is black and white and captures her reflection along with the
A shirtless man with glasses sitting at a table, smoking a large bong, with smoke and a vase with flowers on the table.
A performer in traditional Native American attire, including feathered headdress, face paint, and decorative clothing, dances on a city street at night surrounded by spectators and city buildings.
A person dressed in traditional Native American attire, including a feathered headdress, is riding a horse.
A Native American man dressed in traditional regalia, including feathers, animal motifs, and fringe, performing a dance.
A tattooed man standing outdoors at night near a street with parked cars and string lights overhead, holding one hand on his chest.
A black and white photo of a bald man with multiple tattoos on his face, head, and neck, wearing a chain necklace with a nameplate that reads 'HACAMS,' and a dark shirt, standing outdoors.
A boy in a cowboy hat sitting on a bench at an indoor rodeo or fair, with other people and a horse in the background.
A person on horseback with a cowboy hat standing outside a rodeo arena, shadows of the rider and horse cast on a trailer with hanging shirts, under a cloudy sky.
A black and white photo of an older man wearing sunglasses, a fedora, a dark shirt, and multiple jewelry pieces, sitting at a desk and looking at the camera with a serious expression.
Line of cowboys in cowboy hats riding horses inside a rodeo arena.
Crowd of people at a celebration or event, raising their hands, clapping, and cheering.
A soldier in camouflage uniform standing beside a military vehicle behind barbed wire in a desert setting.
Close-up of a tattooed man with multiple necklaces and rings, holding his chest with one hand, in black and white photograph.
A woman celebrating with a championship belt around her neck, passionately speaking or shouting, in a wrestling ring, illuminated by bright lights.
Three people dressed in elaborate Dia de los Muertos costumes with skeleton makeup, standing outdoors. One person holds a flag, another has a small ukulele, and the third has a skeleton-themed centerpiece. The scene is black and white.
A person dressed in Native American-inspired costume with a large feathered headdress, beads, tattoos on their arms, and a fur and shell adornment, standing outdoors against a backdrop of modern buildings and cloudy sky.
A rodeo cowboy falls off a bucking horse on an arena dirt floor during a rodeo event.