'knock knock'

Catching New Yorkers Mid-Delivery

A deliciously relatable new form of a selfie.

Photo: Daniel Arnold
Photo: Daniel Arnold

My least favorite way to be perceived,” shared New York photo editor Maridelis Morales Rosado on her Instagram Stories, pasting an image of herself — eyes closed, leather pants and platform Crocs on, clutching a bag of takeout — photographed by a delivery person. In early 2020, when delivery workers for DoorDash began documenting drop-offs, they unintentionally created a new form of selfie: the DoorDash photo. Unlike the traditional selfie, this photo was more humbling than humblebrag, and posting a DoorDash mishap to social media — reaching for a plastic bag of ramen half-aware, half-dressed, and full hungry in mismatched socks or sans pants — became a deliciously relatable self-own. Photographer Daniel Arnold, known for capturing everyday New York moments, re-created these photos, catching nine New Yorkers mid-delivery.

Grace Kuhlenschmidt, Comedian

Neighborhood: Clinton Hill.

Order: Gorditas from Citrico.


“Have you ever had your order come incredibly fast? … I was in the shower when my doorbell rang and was like, There’s no fucking way this is them. I definitely answered in a towel.”

Jorge “Gitoo” Wright, Casting director–TV host

Neighborhood: Crown Heights.

Order: Mochi doughnut and glazed chicken wings from Win Son Bakery.


“I now stick my hand out and keep inside, because I know what’s going down in the photo and I’m looking nuts.”

Eric Sedeño, TikToker

Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy.

Order: Tacos from Tacombi.

Marie Faustin, Actress

Neighborhood: Prospect Heights.

Order: Salmon-teriyaki box from Ki Sushi.

Ellen Van Dusen, Textile designer

Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy.

Order: Pan-griddled pork buns from Win Son Restaurant.

Dan Pelosi, Food-and-lifestyle creator

Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy.

Order: Pizza from Rocco’s.


“I don’t have embarrassing outfits, unless I was naked. Sometimes I’ll answer the door in my robe and the delivery person is getting a nipple.”

Mei Kawajiri, Nail artist

Neighborhood: Lower East Side.

Order: Shrimp-avocado salad from Ruby’s.

Clara Perlmutter, TikToker

Neighborhood: East Village

Order: Iced lemon teacake and mint-cookie sandwiches from Erin McKenna’s Bakery.

Angela Yee, Radio personality

Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy

Order: Lemon-pepper chicken sandwich from Peaches.

Photographs by Daniel Arnold
Grace Kuhlenschmidt, Comedian

Neighborhood: Clinton Hill.

Order: Gorditas from Citrico.


“Have you ever had your order come incredibly fast? … I was in the shower when my doorbell rang and was like, There’s no fucking way this is them. I definitely answered in a towel.”

Jorge “Gitoo” Wright, Casting director–TV host

Neighborhood: Crown Heights.

Order: Mochi doughnut and glazed chicken wings from Win Son Bakery.


“I now stick my hand out and keep inside, because I know what’s going down in the photo and I’m looking nuts.”

Eric Sedeño, TikToker

Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy.

Order: Tacos from Tacombi.

Marie Faustin, Actress

Neighborhood: Prospect Heights.

Order: Salmon-teriyaki box from Ki Sushi.

Ellen Van Dusen, Textile designer

Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy.

Order: Pan-griddled pork buns from Win Son Restaurant.

Dan Pelosi, Food-and-lifestyle creator

Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy.

Order: Pizza from Rocco’s.


“I don’t have embarrassing outfits, unless I was naked. Sometimes I’ll answer the door in my robe and the delivery person is getting a nipple.”

Mei Kawajiri, Nail artist

Neighborhood: Lower East Side.

Order: Shrimp-avocado salad from Ruby’s.

Clara Perlmutter, TikToker

Neighborhood: East Village

Order: Iced lemon teacake and mint-cookie sandwiches from Erin McKenna’s Bakery.

Angela Yee, Radio personality

Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy

Order: Lemon-pepper chicken sandwich from Peaches.

Photographs by Daniel Arnold

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Catching New Yorkers Mid-Delivery