Seventh and Central

A documentary photographer turns his camera to the cars and people who make up Albuquerque’s lowrider culture, capturing this unique community with honesty and deep reverence.
Seventh and Central is a photographic tribute to Albuquerque’s vibrant lowrider culture—an immersive visual journey through a tradition rooted in family, art, and community. Featuring more than 130 stunning photographs in both full color and black and white, this collection documents an important expression of identity, creativity, and belonging. From chrome bumpers to custom paint, lowriders are more than vehicles—they are rolling works of art and symbols of pride. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, especially along the iconic stretch of Route 66 known as Central Avenue, the lowrider scene pulses with resilience, history, and love. Lowrider culture extends beyond the cars to the people who drive them, with their remarkable tattoo work and distinctive fashions, and to the multigenerational car clubs that bring communities together. This book captures it all: from the high-gloss paint jobs and hydraulics to the quiet, intimate moments behind the spectacle. Paolinelli has a remarkable gift for putting people at ease, enabling him to authentically capture their true selves.

Nathaniel Tetsuro Paolinelli is an award-winning photographer whose work is in the permanent collection of the Albuquerque Museum. His photographs have been exhibited internationally.