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.
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.”
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.”
Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy.
Order: Tacos from Tacombi.
Neighborhood: Prospect Heights.
Order: Salmon-teriyaki box from Ki Sushi.
Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy.
Order: Pan-griddled pork buns from Win Son Restaurant.
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.”
Neighborhood: Lower East Side.
Order: Shrimp-avocado salad from Ruby’s.
Neighborhood: East Village
Order: Iced lemon teacake and mint-cookie sandwiches from Erin McKenna’s Bakery.
Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy
Order: Lemon-pepper chicken sandwich from Peaches.
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.”
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.”
Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy.
Order: Tacos from Tacombi.
Neighborhood: Prospect Heights.
Order: Salmon-teriyaki box from Ki Sushi.
Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy.
Order: Pan-griddled pork buns from Win Son Restaurant.
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.”
Neighborhood: Lower East Side.
Order: Shrimp-avocado salad from Ruby’s.
Neighborhood: East Village
Order: Iced lemon teacake and mint-cookie sandwiches from Erin McKenna’s Bakery.
Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy
Order: Lemon-pepper chicken sandwich from Peaches.