Laurie Simmons met Jimmy DeSana on a New York subway heading to Far Rockaway in 1973. They struck up a deep friendship that lasted until DeSana's death in 1990. Upon hearing of DeSana's AIDS diagnosis, Simmons was inspired to create a 'funny and touching and significant tribute' to her friend. The "Walking Camera" series, a set of portraits depicting DeSana walking around and dancing inside of an elaborate camera costume, is the result of this inspiration.
