Every Fourth of July, a ferry crosses the Great South Bay carrying more than elaborately dressed drag queens. It carries nearly five decades of history, resilience, humor, and Pride

Known as The Invasion of the Pines, this annual tradition has become one of the most celebrated LGBTQ+ events in the United States. For Fire Island photographer koitz, documenting the Invasion is about far more than photographing colorful costumes and festive crowds. It is about preserving the history of a community whose stories deserve to be remembered.

For nearly two decades, koitz has photographed life in Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines, creating one of the most extensive contemporary visual archives of these historic LGBTQ+ communities. His work captures both the iconic celebrations and the intimate moments that define life on Fire Island.

What Is The Invasion of the Pines?

The Invasion of the Pines began in 1976, after drag performer Terry Warren was refused service at a restaurant in Fire Island Pines because she was wearing drag. In response, friends from neighboring Cherry Grove boarded a ferry in full drag and staged a theatrical "invasion."

What started as a playful protest quickly became a beloved annual tradition celebrating inclusion, self-expression, and LGBTQ+ pride.

Today, thousands gather each Independence Day to welcome the ferry, making The Invasion one of Fire Island's defining cultural events.

Fire Island Through koitz's Lens

As a Fire Island photographer, koitz has spent years documenting the people, traditions, and changing culture of Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines.

His photographs move beyond event coverage.

They reveal:

• Friendships built over decades
• Quiet moments before celebrations begin
• Reunions on the dock
• Generations celebrating together
• The beauty of Fire Island's beaches, boardwalks, and natural landscapes

This long-term commitment has resulted in an extraordinary photographic archive that documents not only The Invasion but the broader story of LGBTQ+ life on Fire Island.

More Than Beautiful Photographs

Documentary photography is often misunderstood.

It is not simply about recording what happened.

It is about preserving what mattered.

For koitz, every image becomes part of a larger historical narrative.

His photographs preserve emotions that cannot be recreated:

• Anticipation
• Celebration
• Love
• Friendship
• Freedom
• Belonging

These moments become increasingly valuable with time.

As years pass, photographs evolve from personal memories into historical documents.

Why Fire Island Matters

For generations, Fire Island, particularly Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines, has represented freedom, creativity, and acceptance for LGBTQ+ people.

Long before many LGBTQ+ individuals felt accepted elsewhere, Fire Island offered a place where people could live authentically, build lasting friendships, and celebrate community.

Events like The Invasion continue that tradition today, connecting new generations with the history that shaped these communities.

The Photography of koitz

Born in the Basque Country and based in New York, koitz has built an internationally recognized body of documentary work focused on LGBTQ+ culture. His photographs have been exhibited in galleries, featured in publications, and published in the acclaimed book Gay Fire Island, which documents fourteen years of life in Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines. His work has also been recognized by curator Elizabeth Avedon and featured by organizations preserving Fire Island's cultural heritage.

What distinguishes koitz's photography is his long-term relationship with the communities he photographs. Rather than observing from a distance, he documents from within, creating images that feel authentic, intimate, and deeply human.

A Living Archive of LGBTQ+ History

Every summer adds another chapter to the visual history of Fire Island.

Every portrait preserves a face.

Every celebration preserves a tradition.

Every photograph ensures that future generations will understand not only what these communities looked like, but how they lived, celebrated, and built spaces of acceptance.

That is the true purpose of documentary photography.

Explore The Complete Fire Island Collection

If you are interested in:

• Fire Island photography
• The Invasion of the Pines
• Cherry Grove
• Fire Island Pines
• LGBTQ+ history
• Documentary photography
• Fine art photography

you can explore koitz's growing archive at koitz Photo, where decades of documentary work continue to preserve one of America's most significant LGBTQ+ cultural landscapes.