Amy Toensing

Visual Journalist

The Jersey Shore

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Location: Syracuse, New York

Nationality: American

Biography: AMY TOENSING is a photojournalist and filmmaker committed to telling stories with sensitivity and depth and known for her intimate stories about the lives of ordinary people. Toensing has been a regular contributor to National... MORE

Old friends and summer resident...an Grove, New Jersey.

Old friends and summer residents of Ocean Grove, Joyce Skeels (left) and Beverly Ehrenfeld (middle) meet in the afternoon to take a swim in the Atlantic Ocean September 3, 2000 in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

Beach goers enjoy the sun and o...ley Beach New Jersey.

Beach goers enjoy the sun and ocean at Joey's Surf Club and Bar August 31, 2003 in Ortley Beach New Jersey.

A view of Casino Pier on July 1...n a hot summer night.

A view of Casino Pier on July 15, 2003 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey where visitors come to soak in the sun, ride the Ferris wheel, eat saltwater taffy and stroll the boardwalk on a hot summer night.

James Foster works as barker an...ntertainers.'

James Foster works as barker and ticket collector for the Brothers Grim Circus Sideshow July 26, 2003 on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. The sideshow runs all summer on the boardwalk and boasts to have the 'World's Greatest Collection of Human Oddities, Strange People, Novel Entertainers.'

Luring in a crowd, performer Da...former William Darke.

Luring in a crowd, performer Danielle De Meux blows a ball of fire outside the Brothers Grim Sideshow tent on the Seaside Heights boardwalk July 26, 2003 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Danielle is one of a number of performers who have an act in the sideshow, which runs all summer on the boardwalk and boasts to have the 'World's Greatest Collection of Human Oddities, Strange People, Novel Entertainers.' Among many other talents, Danielle can also walk up and down a stairway of knife edges and handle a 40-pound boa. The sideshow, which debuted in 2000, is owned by former rock musician Ken Harck. Also in the photo, at left in the back, is circus sideshow performer William Darke.

The Enigma and Katzen, a husban...others Grim Sideshow.

The Enigma and Katzen, a husband and wife circus sideshow performance team, finish breakfast in their apartment on August 8, 2003 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. The tattooed couple travel the country performing their music and body art at various sideshows and sometimes on television and in films. They spent the summer of 2003 performing for the Brothers Grim Sideshow.

Kids hanging out freely on the ...an Grove, New Jersey.

Kids hanging out freely on the beach, August 1, 2000 in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

A group of young shore visitors...nd done up physiques.

A group of young shore visitors socialize and dance at the Temptations dance club in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, August 31, 2003. The Shore is a popular destination for young beach goers from New York and New Jersey. The club's cliental is dominated by men and women with manicures and done up physiques.

Members of the Ortley Beach lif...ey Beach, New Jersey.

Members of the Ortley Beach lifeguard team waits for team members to return with a row boat while training for an upcoming lifeguard competition July 8, 2003 in Ortley Beach, New Jersey.

An aerial view of Ocean Beach U...amilies every season.

An aerial view of Ocean Beach Unit III housing development September 25, 2003 in Lavallette, New Jersey. The Ocean Beach developments were created and founded by two truck drivers, Fred Pearl and Edward Patnaude, who wanted to build small cottages the average working person could afford. The Ocean Beach III charter, with 946 homes, was established on September 22, 1951. There are many generations of returning families every season.

A Contestant in an umbrella dec...ury Park, New Jersey.

A Contestant in an umbrella decorating contest held during a weekend to promote Asbury Park as a gay destination stands by his artwork on the Asbury beach July 20, 2003 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

A woman takes in the sun outsid...h Island, New Jersey.

A woman takes in the sun outside her beach rental home September 9, 2003 on Long Beach Island, New Jersey.

Friends enjoy the boardwalk and... Heights, New Jersey.

Friends enjoy the boardwalk and the music of a guitar won at a game stand, July 25, 2003 on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.

Evening falls on beach homes Se...ide Park, New Jersey.

Evening falls on beach homes September 5, 2003 in Seaside Park, New Jersey.

A woman walks her dog along the...an Grove, New Jersey.

A woman walks her dog along the shore drive August 1, 2000 in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

Vera Green (left) and John Toul...tic City, New Jersey.

Vera Green (left) and John Toulson (right) take a break from casino gambling and slot machines October 29, 2003 on the Atlantic City Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Erik Anderson and a friend feed...h Island, New Jersey.

Erik Anderson and a friend feed Ritz crackers to seagulls hovering and riding in an off shore breeze on September 19, 2003, on Long Beach Island, New Jersey.

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Thumbnail of Old friends and summer residents_ean Grove, New Jersey.

Thumbnail of Beach goers enjoy the sun and oc_tley Beach New Jersey.

Thumbnail of A view of Casino Pier on July 15_on a hot summer night.

Thumbnail of James Foster works as barker and_Entertainers.'

Thumbnail of Luring in a crowd, performer Dan_rformer William Darke.

Thumbnail of The Enigma and Katzen, a husband_rothers Grim Sideshow.

Thumbnail of Kids hanging out freely on the b_ean Grove, New Jersey.

Thumbnail of A group of young shore visitors _and done up physiques.

Thumbnail of Members of the Ortley Beach life_ley Beach, New Jersey.

Thumbnail of An aerial view of Ocean Beach Un_families every season.

Thumbnail of A Contestant in an umbrella deco_bury Park, New Jersey.

Thumbnail of A woman takes in the sun outside_ch Island, New Jersey.

Thumbnail of Friends enjoy the boardwalk and _e Heights, New Jersey.

Thumbnail of Evening falls on beach homes Sep_side Park, New Jersey.

Thumbnail of A woman walks her dog along the _ean Grove, New Jersey.

Thumbnail of Vera Green (left) and John Touls_ntic City, New Jersey.

Thumbnail of Erik Anderson and a friend feed _ch Island, New Jersey.

Public Story

The Jersey Shore

Updated May 2022

Location Jersey Shore

Topics Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Documentary, Editorial, Film, Iconic places, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism

Summary

The Jersey Shore, a 127 mile stretch of coastline known for its beaches, boardwalks and small towns, has been a favorite summer destination for over a century. These images look at the people who go down to The Shore and the unique culture they have created.

This story was published in National Geographic Magazine in August, 2004.