https://www.rubennatal-sanmiguel.com/home daily 1.0 2026-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/1725414151191-UFN77HWQAY0LLYGK6RA0/01+-Ruben+Vassar+College-2.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/1725413543263-G0QA7VT6FSJ1VE92ZI2J/NatalsanmiguelRuben+_01.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/1725413543263-G0QA7VT6FSJ1VE92ZI2J/NatalsanmiguelRuben+_01.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/49180c27-429f-4a34-8683-154d070bc7e4/IMG_8220.jpeg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/1725414151191-UFN77HWQAY0LLYGK6RA0/01+-Ruben+Vassar+College-2.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/0de306e7-fe69-4dfb-8ffc-3c3947e3bdff/IMG_6957.jpeg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/50f159e7-9d51-4165-8e45-098d5b55d9fb/Lady+16.125x20.125+for+bleed.jpeg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/db48287d-87a5-481a-8a99-4b8b10d927b2/IMG_6851.jpeg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/82e43584-7ec0-4675-b6dd-f2e5d1a2bf8f/Ruben+Retouch.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/ea10082b-79a0-4150-8cca-18a676934227/nytimes-home.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/9e21f7ed-4a39-4829-b5d0-e10264aefe97/hyperallergic-home.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/89c9fe2e-164d-4db4-b84f-fb39b3d5e5ec/npr-home.jpg https://www.rubennatal-sanmiguel.com/about daily 0.75 2026-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/52a69538-645f-4b72-8dac-47385f2e17a4/Nykki-It-All-Comes-Out-In-The-Wash_Ruben-Natal-San-Miguel.jpg https://www.rubennatal-sanmiguel.com/press daily 0.75 2026-01-06 https://www.rubennatal-sanmiguel.com/press-1 daily 0.75 2026-03-12 https://www.rubennatal-sanmiguel.com/works daily 0.75 2025-11-17 https://www.rubennatal-sanmiguel.com/works/puerto-rico-paradise-ruined monthly 0.5 2024-09-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/df7bca9e-d52e-4077-a89a-e945aa344c21/IMG_6706.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 1. “Home Ruins” La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tuesday, December 19, 2017. 11:45 AM. 82 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel A bathroom typically lacks exterior walls, making it one of the safest rooms for shelter if going underground isn't an option. With few or no windows, it reduces the risk of damage from falling debris or outside elements. This bathroom, still standing, is shown in photograph #20, taken in December 2021, capturing its current state of decline. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/258856fb-8242-4c94-976e-910c06dc718a/DSC_0222.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 2. “Home Ruins” La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Friday, December 20, 2019. 2:03 PM. 80 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel Only the oldest structures, built during the 1940s and 50s, were most resilient to the hurricane's forces. However, their roofs were mostly blown away and destroyed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/4574d1a4-cf1b-4cd0-ab18-41628c934e24/DSC_0007.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 3. “Building Ruins” La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Thursday, December 20, 2019. 2:28 PM. 82 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel This former business remains in ruins to this day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/db8a6644-63a3-40ba-925e-7814fe12fcdd/DSC_0553.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 4. “Home Ruins” Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Tuesday, December 24, 2019. 10:26 AM. 84 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel A wheelchair (a sign of a former life) and the bathroom walls are the only remnants left. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/fc7aced4-583b-4b28-ba00-828d0d71cea8/IMG_7078.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 5. “Boat” Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Sunday, December 22, 2019. 7:18 PM. 79 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. Since October 2017, this boat has remained on the edge of a highway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/a1c4827f-7008-4330-b909-734309f65878/DSC_0093+2.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 6. “Basketball Court” (High School) Ciales, Puerto Rico. Monday, December 16, 2019. 3:36 PM. 77 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. This is the basketball court of a high school that has still not been reconstructed, seven years later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/e6733990-6358-49a7-88b8-e77388f52da8/DSC_0613.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 7. “Billiard” (Restaurant/Bar) Loiza Aldea, Loiza, Puerto Rico. Thursday, December 26, 2019. 11:55 AM. 82 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. This restaurant/bar billiard never resumed business. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/ef6de720-b609-49ea-b2f3-81679854dc3a/DSC_0471.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 8. “Home Ruins” Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Tuesday, December 24, 2919. 9:37 AM. 84 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. This home has remained in ruins and abandoned since Hurricane Maria in 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/1c2ec1b0-07c3-414a-9c75-6693f6791c83/DSC_3302.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 9. “Home Ruins” La Pesa, Ciales, Puerto Rico. Friday, December 13, 2019. 3:52 PM. 79 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. This home has remained in ruins and abandoned since Hurricane Maria in 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/79a5c0e8-cfca-4495-aec1-fefd57503eaa/DSC_0402.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 10. “Food Truck” Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Monday, December 23, 2019. 5:50 PM. 78 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. Seven years after Hurricane Maria, this food truck remains in the same condition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/d388f427-bda3-4739-a9f6-b2cbd2dcc500/DSC_3174.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 11. “Puppy San Miguel Residence Ruins” (My Cousin) La Pesa, Ciales, Puerto Rico. Friday, December 13, 2019. 2:37 PM. 79 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. This home has been completely demolished, and seven years later, no new construction has taken place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/2a198467-8f1f-4e2f-b50f-bed70f56e177/IMG_6557.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 12.“Home Ruins” La Pesa, Ciales, Puerto Rico. Monday, December 16, 2019. 12:21 AM. 77 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. This home remains in ruins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/ea6bc9cb-5403-4245-ae08-597c8360eeb6/DSC_3309.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 13. “Home Ruins” Juguas, Ciales, Puerto Rico. Friday, December 13, 2019. 4:08 PM. 79 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. This former home remains in ruins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/c800c7bc-031c-43e5-8fd2-147031f108ec/IMG_7112.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 14.“Home Ruins” (Vernacular Residence) Vieques Island, Puerto Rico . Monday, December 23, 2019. 2:32 PM. 78 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. This beautiful vernacular home was demolished, and no construction has taken place yet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/0f4a9001-b875-4522-a770-31f067e45b61/DSC_0349.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 15. “Home Ruins” Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Monday, December 23, 2019. 5:10 PM. 84 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. The debris from this home was removed, but the site remains empty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/15bed241-eaf3-4a0d-93c6-4edb22327507/IMG_6724.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 16. “Home Ruins” La Perla, Old San Juan , Puerto Rico. Friday, December 20, 2019. 12:06 PM. 80 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel. Of all the thousands of homes documented in this series, this is the only one that has been rebuilt, now standing as a one-bedroom apartment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/abf93057-bc60-4464-8b48-770b11c47aed/DSC_0347.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 17. “Home Ruins” Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Tuesday, December 24, 2019. 8:48 AM. 84 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel This vernacular home was demolished after its inhabitants perished. The debris has been cleared, but no new construction has taken place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/2f97def0-d2ad-4311-be46-8447125c2d10/DSC_0037+2.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 18. “Restaurant Ruins” La Pesa, Ciales, Puerto Rico. Monday, December 16, 2019. 2:59 PM. 77 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel This restaurant was demolished, and the debris was cleared. The site remains vacant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/0e10ba24-ee4c-42e6-9cb7-e6612f9c1349/DSC_0123.jpg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 19. “Waiting For FEMA” La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. December 20, 2019. 3:43 PM. 80 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel This woman was waiting for FEMA assistance. Years later, her home remains unrebuilt, and she has since moved in with her siblings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/b5c4af0e-5f5f-4ee5-970b-80ae43ccb561/IMG_6242.jpeg WORKS - Puerto Rico: Paradise Ruined 20. “Home Ruins” (4 years later) La Perla, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sunday, March 21, 2021. 5:55 PM. 81 Degrees. ©️ Ruben Natal-San Miguel This is the same home ruin depicted in photograph #1. Four years later, the bathroom wall facing the Atlantic Ocean collapsed, leaving it exposed like an open portal to the sea. It remains unchanged today, with no demolition or new development. https://www.rubennatal-sanmiguel.com/works/environmental-portraits monthly 0.5 2025-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/3297972a-95ed-45b8-86d6-f135160156e1/01+-Ruben+Vassar+College-2.jpg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Nykki & Ari" (Valentine Trans Twins With Morning Glories), 2021, Melrose, The Bronx, NYC. July 30, 2021. 1:47 PM. 82 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/a40bb750-b6dc-42a5-8e10-546c3edb0ec7/1.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Mama" (Beautiful Skin), 2017, Hunts Point, The Bronx, NYC. Thursday, July 20, 2017. 2:08 PM. 86 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/eedb8495-ec2b-4f41-9ec4-d09e5fd8745d/DSC_0180.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Ongina" (DragCon), 2019, Manhattan, NYC. Sunday, September 30, 2018. 3:58 PM. 72 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/4b74fae1-c0bc-4969-a729-11821be010ec/DSC_0198.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Carlos" (A Very Bad Husband) Tattoo, 2019, The Bronx, NYC. Wednesday 4/10/19 4:28 PM 57 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/fc51e199-8944-4b0d-8a66-39e065710915/DSC_0355.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Black On White, White On Black" (Brian), 2018, Randall’s Island, NYC. Thursday, May 3, 2018. 3:12 PM. 65 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/be00ef81-25de-4c63-9ff6-a965d05fc84f/DSC_0801.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Ivana" (Most Hated), 2019, Marcus Garvey Park, East Harlem, NYC. Monday, April 29. 2019. 4:26 PM. 68 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/cf7daae3-f486-407a-8aea-87946621fc08/DSC_0819.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "3 Muslim Girls" (Sundown), 2019, Jerome Avenue Steps, The Bronx, NYC. Sunday, October 13, 2019. 4:55 PM. 78 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/e81dfbdd-5c16-40ef-8cc8-145481018265/DSC_1159.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Negesti" (A Harlem Queen), 125th Harlem, NYC. Sunday, August 25, 2019. 2:45 PM (74 Degrees). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/ad512956-f9a6-49f5-a0e0-cb1110628f68/IMG_0557.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Maya" (Serendipity Tattoo), 2022, East Tremont Avenue, The Bronx, NYC. Wednesday, March 16, 2022. 4:12 PM. 63 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/671ec86b-6a6e-48f5-95c4-6621ea0ba44a/IMG_1584.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Not Just Another Vanilla Portrait,“ 2016, Harlem, NYC. Friday, June 17, 2016. 3:52 PM. 82 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/afbb56fa-f3d9-49bb-8ac0-e1b531f07dc2/IMG_3199.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Priceless" (Anthony), Astoria, Queens, New York City (80 degrees) July 10, 2015, 5:19 PM. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/42ed1481-f09c-4f20-a92d-af38fe65827b/IMG_3859.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Azhley'' (Rainbow Hair), 2021, Tompkins Park, East Village, Manhattan, NYC. Friday, June 24 2022. 7:43 PM. 76 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/db48287d-87a5-481a-8a99-4b8b10d927b2/IMG_6851.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Sinner" (On The Go), 2022, Fordham Road, The Bronx, NYC. Friday, October 7, 2022. 2:24 PM. (75 Degrees ) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/0de306e7-fe69-4dfb-8ffc-3c3947e3bdff/IMG_6957.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Ray" (Golden Bonnet & Cold Cuts), 2022, Harlem, NYC. Saturday October 22, 2022. 5:33 PM. 65 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/49180c27-429f-4a34-8683-154d070bc7e4/IMG_8220.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Edwin" (Sashay Away), 2023, Grand Concourse Avenue, The Bronx, NYC. Thursday, April 6, 2023. 6:46 PM. 74 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/b403419e-95b7-4f27-845e-4728b19af393/IMG-0006.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Stop & Frisk" (NYPD), 2013, Harlem, NYC. Sunday, September 14, 2013. 4:45 PM. 68 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/50f159e7-9d51-4165-8e45-098d5b55d9fb/Lady+16.125x20.125+for+bleed.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Lady Money Sings The Blues," 2011, Harlem, NYC. Sunday April 3, 2011. 6:16 PM. 55 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/82e43584-7ec0-4675-b6dd-f2e5d1a2bf8f/Ruben+Retouch.jpg WORKS - Environmental Portraits "Bronx" (Tattoo), 2014, Orchard Beach, The Bronx. NYC. Thursday, July 5, 2014. 2:34 PM. 87 Degrees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/1763400400248-7QFJHFNQYJ6U4U4ONZY8/IMG_4791.JPG WORKS - Environmental Portraits - “Black and Proud“ (Juneteenth at the Apollo) 2020 Harlem, NYC. Friday, June 19, 2020. 10:25 PM. 65 Degrees. © Ruben Natal-San Miguel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66d4e2c4d793a150047942c9/1763400419763-G2MM6XXLIDAY1BTVP4D1/52740EA6-DE08-445D-AE65-424958A947C9.jpeg WORKS - Environmental Portraits