Over the last 18 months, Central Current contributors Michelle Gabel, Mike Greenlar and Janet Gramza have captured Syracuse’s housing crisis in words and photos. This is what they saw.
Michelle Gabel
Michelle Gabel is a Syracuse-based independent photojournalist who captures the human experience through documentary photography and portraiture. Her long-form photography projects tell complex, contemporary stories that dive into individual lives while addressing relevant social issues. Michelle has documented the world around her in multiple capacities, including her freelance photography business, a 25-year tenure as a staff photographer for The Post-Standard (Syracuse) and other daily newspapers, and her master's degree in photography from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.
Her images have appeared in publications such as The New York Times, she is a recipient of various awards and grants, and her work has been exhibited internationally. As a freelancer for the Central Current, Michelle highlights everyday extraordinary people in Central New York. She is currently working on a project about the Syracuse housing crisis with photographer Mike Greenlar, with support from the Central Current. The work appeared in an exhibit called “A Place To Call Home” at the ArtRage Gallery in February 2025.
Michelle can be reached at [email protected]
Posted inPhotojournalism
A black-eyed Susan’s bloom fades as fall comes to Syracuse (photo of the week)
Syracuse can expect to see more fall weather in the coming weeks.
Posted inPhotojournalism
Community members try their hand at figure drawing at Westcott Street Cultural Fair (photo of the week)
Community members participated in Figure Drawing at the 32nd annual Westcott Street Cultural Fair.
Posted inPhotojournalism
A Syracuse family gets their new home (photo of the week)
The home was renovated by A Tiny Home for Good, who has taken on increased work in renovating single- and multi-family homes.
Posted inPhotojournalism
Kids get school supplies during 23rd annual Mary Nelson Back-to-School Giveaway (photo of the week)
The event offered children thousands of backpacks, school supplies, back-to-school clothing and food.
Posted inPhotojournalism
Syracuse teenagers compete for $10K at SHA basketball tournament (photo of the week)
Syracuse police officer Brandon Hanks created the tournament in 2021 as a way to bridge the disconnect between youth and law enforcement.
Posted inNews
Syracuse University grad student fishes at Green Lakes State Park (photo of the week)
Haoyang “Peter” Zhou, a doctoral student at Syracuse University, prepares to change his fishing lure at Green Lakes State Park.
Posted inPhotojournalism
Seniors light up the dance floor at 70s themed senior prom (photo of the week)
PEACE Inc. hosted a Senior Prom on Syracuse’s East Side.
Posted inPhotojournalism
Buttercup flowers thrive in the Central New York heat (photo of the week)
Buttercups, a food source for bees and hummingbirds, brighten roadsides and meadows across Central New York between May and July.
Posted inPhotojournalism
Syracuse Farmers Market returns to downtown for 52nd year (photo of the week)
Melissa Salazar, of Bella Infinity Farms, wears different mushroom outfits each week at the farmers market.
