NYC is the perfect place for a curious tourist. With no fomo on a daily basis, photographing in the visual gym that is the city, allows for human stories to be told and shared.
It all started with a humble plastic camera and some 127 film – just the basics. But then, one day, I stumbled upon a worn-out copy of the Family of Man. This incredible collection, a snapshot of the human experience through the lenses of over 250 photographers worldwide, became my guiding star. It still resonates with me to this day.
When a photograph touched me the way those in the Family of Man did, I knew I had found my calling. So, I decided to part ways with my trusty band class trumpet and traded it in for a used Nikon F – my new partner in creative exploration.
Now, let’s talk roots. I’m an East Coast kid, raised in a place you might as well call the NYC area, but let’s be real, it’s good old New Jersey.
My first real gig in photography was capturing local political events for a community paper. I was barely a teenager, and seeing my own photograph right there in black and white was an incredible rush!
Fast forward to age 16, and my work took center stage in my first public exhibition, held at the very school where I was honing my skills.
I kicked off my professional journey in commercial photography as an assistant, soaking up skills that have stuck with me throughout my life. A detour into a film lab came next, followed by a stint studying photography, film, fine art, and media studies at Ryerson Polytechnic in Toronto.
San Francisco Bay Area beckoned, and I found myself diving into the world of commercial production while continuing to capture life’s moments in my off-hours. From political figures to jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Jaco Pastorius, I had the privilege of immortalizing them all through my lens.
Later, I made the leap to Los Angeles, where I turned my focus to the portfolios of models and actors – because let’s face it, everyone in LA needs those headshots! Eventually, I transitioned into production work, which gifted me the chance to explore over 30 countries.
Through my production years, I found myself immersed in countless photo-worthy moments, and I kept documenting the world around me.
And then, the ultimate move: New York City. Stepping back into the familiar yet transformed streets felt like being a curious tourist in my own hometown.
Comfort zones? They were all over the map, and the nostalgia that they stirred within me was just too good not to share.
And here we are today.
Even though I have had many career paths, being a photographer has always remained consistent. My career, and the people and places I’ve encountered allowed me to craft my photo skills.
The journey continues, because the passion is as strong as ever.
I’ve remained a curious tourist, because becoming too comfortable anywhere is the enemy of seeing things in a new way.
