THE INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER

How far along are you on your holiday shopping?

ANDREA CASTRO, BROOKLYN

"I haven't started yet. I usually start shopping the week before Christmas. I'll go to Soho and the Queens Center Mall. I'm spending more money this year than last year because I have more friends this year."

ZACH BARR, MANHATTAN

"I'm finished with shopping for my company's white elephant gift exchange, but I haven't started shopping for my family and friends yet. I'm going to wander around the city the next few nights to try to find some presents."

NICHOLAS ZVEGINTZOV, STATEN ISLAND

"I haven't really started. I try to tell people, 'If you don't get me a gift, I don't get you a gift, and then we can both be happy.' I have to get a present for just one person, who got me a gift."

YEUN BYUN, BROOKLYN

"I'm about a quarter of the way done with my shopping. I have to shop for my parents, my boyfriend and a Secret Santa obligation. I'm working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so my presents might be something homemade."

MICHAEL MCINTOSH, QUEENS

"I did the shopping for all my youngest children first because they really look forward to Christmas. It's for my kids, my nieces and my nephews, about 10 in total. Wrapping is going to be a last minute-thing."

ANDREA WAHL, STATEN ISLAND

“There's very little left I have to do. We did most of our shopping two weeks ago. A lot of it was online, a lot of toys for the kids. They're all wrapped and under the tree." Interviews and photos

by Alfred Ng