For many Philadelphians, September 21, 2018, was just another Friday. For others, it was something more: the day they got engaged; the day a child arrived; the day a former president looked them in the eye and shook their hand. At Philadelphia magazine, it was the day we sent 24 photographers and 25 writers out into the city and surrounding region to record what happened, all with the goal of showing what people do and, through that, something of who they are. What we came to understand in the course of this day and this project was simple: that while we live our lives largely in silos, we do so alongside thousands of other people doing precisely the same thing. No, we’re not all the same, but we’re connected in ways we probably don’t even realize. And we’re all Philadelphians. We hope you’ll enjoy these stunning photos — and the stories they tell — and as much as we did. (And if you’d love your own keepsake copy of the print edition, you can order one — or more! — right here.)
One Day in the Life of Philly: This Is Us
What makes a city a city? The people who live their lives in and around it.
One Day in Philly: Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez
Parks, parking lots, the opioid crisis: For this Councilwoman, it’s all in a morning’s work.
One Day in Philly: Stephen Klasko, Jefferson CEO
Reimagining health care, building empires and, well, talking fashion with the endlessly driven Jefferson leader.
One Day in Philly: Carol Serena, Parc GM
Trying to keep up with Parc’s general manager during the lunch rush at the city’s busiest restaurant.
One Day in Philly: Eighth-Grader Amanda Green
For this 13-going-on-14-year-old, Friday night is all about hanging with her friends IRL.
One Day in Philly: HughE Dillon, Society Photographer
On the party circuit with Philadelphia’s best-known — well, only — paparazzo.