This month, as we celebrate love, we’re expanding the focus beyond romantic partners and family to embrace a deeper love—for our community. We’re shining a light on the small, independent businesses that give our neighborhoods their unique character.

In a city known for its New York Minute pace, where speed and convenience often take priority, places like Dashwood Books and Lovely Day stand as reminders of something more valuable: spaces that invite you to slow down, spark creativity, and connect with others. These businesses are more than just storefronts—they are treasured community hubs, celebrations of artistry and craftsmanship, and gathering places that keep the soul of the city alive.

Founded in 2005 by David Strettell, Dashwood Books is New York City’s only bookstore dedicated exclusively to photography books. Nestled on Bond Street, it has been a beloved destination for photographers, artists, and book lovers for nearly two decades. Before opening Dashwood, David spent years assisting photographers, and refining his eye for documentary photography working with the legendary Magnum Photos.

We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with David in his shop, where he shared his journey, the evolution of Dashwood Books, and the importance of community in the ever-changing landscape of NYC. Below are shortened transcripts of our conversation.

The Dashwood Journey

"For years, I worked closely with photographers—helping them edit covers, curate exhibitions, and develop their work. I wanted a business of my own, something that would keep me engaged with artists and photography. Initially, I envisioned Dashwood as a consultancy, but as I started working more with books, I fell in love with the process—collaborating with graphic designers, expanding into publishing, and curating a space dedicated to the art of photography."

Building a Niche Community

"When I first opened Dashwood, many people thought running a bookstore was a terrible idea—especially with Amazon and big retailers taking over. Across New York City and beyond, independent bookstores were shutting down. But by focusing on a specialty—originally just photography, now expanding into art, design, and architecture books—we built a dedicated community.

Back in 2001, A Photographer’s Place on Mercer Street closed, and I truly missed it. Then in 2004, during a trip to Japan, I discovered a bookstore called On Sundays that carried a mix of rare and new books from all over the world. That inspired me—I realized there was a way to create a space that celebrated smaller publishers and independent artists. At the time, nothing like that existed in New York.

Photography in Print vs. Galleries

"Photography is inherently a print medium, designed to be reproduced and experienced in various formats. It is a personal theory of mine, some photographers create work intended for galleries and museums. Others, however, excel in storytelling through sequencing, composition, and layout—By collaborating with graphic designers and publishers, they transform photography into an immersive experience within the pages of a book, allowing for a deeper, more intimate connection with the images. Personally, I’m most drawn to photographers who embrace the book as a powerful storytelling medium.

The Dashwood Projects

*"We recently opened a gallery space on 63 East 4th Street, just two blocks from the bookstore. It’s a small but intentional space, designed as an extension of our publishing work.

For example, we collaborated with Lele Saveri, who created a zine called Luna, published every full moon for ten years—a visual diary capturing moments of his life. Initially, we sold the original Luna zines at Dashwood, but they quickly sold out. To honor the project’s legacy, we published Luna 10 Year, a collection of the best works from the series, and curated a reading room-style gallery experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the evolution of the project.

Community & Connection

"Over the years, we’ve collaborated with many incredible photographers, including Ari Marcopoulos, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Juergen Teller, Wolfgang Tillmans, and numerous local NYC photographers.

Book signings and events are a big part of what makes Dashwood special—it’s not just about selling books, but about building a space where artists and the community can connect. When people attend a signing, they’re not just collecting a book—they’re supporting an artist they admire, meeting like-minded creatives, and keeping the spirit of independent bookstores alive.

I always try to mix up our programming—showcasing documentary photographers, photojournalists, still-life photographers, and drawing artists. That diversity is what makes this community thrive."*

New York is full of people who appreciate photography books—filmmakers, photographers, artists, designers, advertising creatives. This kind of bookstore thrives in cities like New York, LA, Berlin, and Tokyo, where there’s a strong creative community."

 

Honoring Local Businesses

Small businesses like Dashwood Books represent the soul of our city. These independent gems remind us that slowing down, gathering, and celebrating artistry will always have a place.

For the next Dashwood Books programming and book signing, check out their events page.

To learn more about the Dashwood Projects and the Lunar 10 Year exhibit, visit www.dashwoodprojects.com

And if you are curious about the SKU styles that David was wearing in the video, check it out HERE.

 

Special Thanks | David @Dashwood Books

Video Director | Marina Elise @marinaelisee

Creative Direction | David Mullen @SKU