About
Christopher London is a New York City based lawyer, activist, writer and founder of Manhattan Society.com, a 501 (c) (3) conduit; a free press vehicle for essential New York Arts & Charity. Consigliere by day; society diarist; webmaster and photographer by night. His work has appeared in Avenue, Quest, Gotham, Hamptons, Panache Magazine, Palm Beach Society, Social Life, Prestige (Asia) & Town & Country Magazines as well as New York Social Diary and the Newport Mercury.
While I never set out to become a photographer or even a blogger my interest evolved by necessity to do my work journalistically. In Post 9/11 New York City while facing my own struggles, including a business crashing, dealing with financial meltdown and facing homelessness, ironically I found salvation and ultimately the rejuvenation of my broken spirit in devoting myself to people, causes and struggles far more significant than my own plight. You take a walk in another man’s shoes and you begin to understand many things, including the fact that some folks do not have a voice.
I channeled what had been a notorious social addiction, legal and promotional skills to advising, consulting and promoting essential New York Arts and Charity and those who support them. Instead of merely hoping for change I took it upon myself to contribute to the evolution of our society. I began to photograph those around me who have devoted themselves to dealing with what I saw as significant urban struggles, especially those here in my hometown. It has obviously evolved well beyond that but I still try to use my voice to assist in providing exposure and promotion to organizations and people in my hometown that do not always gain the spotlight in the major national media. This mission remains true even if my social commentary at times makes me sound, according to a trusted friend, like I am “riding bareback through Society like Joan of Arc in flames.” I do not deny that even if I identify more with this quote from urban activist Jane Jacobs: “I do not know who this celebrity called Jane Jacobs is. It’s not me. You either do your work or you’re a celebrity; I’d rather do my work.”