new york is so quiet
Unfiltered Sunset, Upper East Side, 2025
Here on the Upper East Side, we’re bordered by the East River; the oh-so-quiet East End Avenue, (unless you’re near Gracie Mansion during a mayoral scandal); a park and a school. My apartment is in a protected building, as it’s part of the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s tucked way back in a courtyard.
Unlike places like Northampton, where I heard leaf blowers or snow plows all day and people on the bike path at all hours; or LA, where I heard more leaf blowers, tree work, lawn mowers, cars and construction, this place is like living in a small cabin in the woods. Or more like a beachside cabana (the gentle hum of the FDR evokes the sound of waves). I am so grateful.
Washington Heights
Thing of Beauty, 181st Street Subway Station, 2025
I love going up to see friends and family in Washington Heights. It’s perched atop a hill and it has amazing views of the Hudson, George Washington Bridge and the Palisades. The architecture is beautiful. The picture above is a slice of history that gives me goosebumps.
The other night we went to a restaurant called Dutch Baby for the most obscure trivia night I’ve ever experienced. Unless you are an expert at celebrities’ birthdays, you wouldn’t have won either. I brought my 14-year-old sports expert to help, and of course there was not one single sports question. It was nice though. Culturally totally different than the Upper East Side. I felt like I went on an exotic vacation.
A trip downtown
When you live in NYC, there’s really every reason to get out of your neighborhood, wherever you are, no matter how great your neighborhood is. I know of so many stories of people who grow up here and have never left their borough.
I’m convinced that you could visit different neighborhoods for years and still discover fantastic new ones. The other day my older son and I were wandering downtown and we happened across a place near Elizabeth Street Community Garden called Lovely Day. We’ve been in that area lots of times, but it was the first time we came across the restaurant.
If you are nostalgic for your 20s as a Gen Xer or are in your 20s longing for simpler, cooler times, this place is a must. They played alternative music from the 90s and the pad thai was served on bakelite dishes. It was cozy and the servers wore baggy jeans. The inexpensive-for-New York bill came, not on a Square or any other device, but on this carbon paper.
Receipt, Lovely Day, NYC, 2025
Ready for BLOSSOMS?
I want to share some pictures of blossoms that you can order prints of if you want. I used color gels and a light box. People like them printed on metallic paper, metal and canvas. Click this link to order. Take a look! April is also that magical window in NYC where you really need to get outside for family pictures.
And related, I’m organizing some artist events where there will be visual art and music, and hopefully some comedy as well! Stay tuned, New York people. By the way, the picture of the woman below is during spring. Those aren’t clumps of snow, they’re blossoms!
New Work
Lately, I’ve been photographing a range of projects. I recently worked with a doctor that needed pictures for his website. I also photographed a family at Carl Schurz Park—what made it more special was that I had photographed their wedding over a decade ago.
On the Upper West Side, I photographed a couple of headshots recently, and, big news, I photographed a beauty pageant winner! We have a second shoot coming up.
I do editorial style headshots, content creation and dating pictures
After years of taking pictures and people starting to ask casually, “could you take some video with my iPhone, too? Here, just a few clips.” I realize that I’m not just a photographer but a content creator helping brands. I will help grow your brand. Develop your confidence, turn your side hustle into a real income stream, expand your audience and fulfill your dreams. And as an aside, lots and lots of people come to me for a LinkedIn AND a dating site picture.
This Spring, in addition to the beauty pageant winner, I’ll be photographing a baptism, a traditional Korean birthday celebration, a gala for a non-profit and another family session in Fort Tryon Park.
Also coming soon to NYC, a multi-media art show. Stay tuned.
Always a bridesmaid
As you ALL know, I do weddings with all of the love. Message me if you or anyone you know is getting married in New York. I’d love to hear from them!
And last but most important, how are you doing? I love nothing more than hearing back from you. Be well. xo