Fast Breaks and iPhone Photos at Barclays Center
The WNBA’s games are thrilling experiences and a great place to take phone photos of a fun-loving crowd.
The 1993 Women’s Final Four, held at the now-demolished Omni Coliseum in my hometown of Atlanta, stirred my interest in women's basketball. I marveled at the talents of Sheryl Swoopes as Texas Tech made its unforgettable run to the NCAA Championship.
I've casually followed the WNBA since its inception, occasionally watching regular season games and the playoffs. My appreciation of the league grew significantly after watching a spirited early-season matchup between the Dallas Wings and the Atlanta Dream in May 2023.
I was thoroughly impressed by Dallas forward Satou Sabally, a six-foot-four-inch Gambian-German phenom with impressive wing skills and the grit and determination to battle on the blocks. Her all-world teammate, Arike Ogumbowale, was an offensive marvel with a devastating ability to score from anywhere on the court. Allisha Gray, the silky-smooth Atlanta Dream shooting guard also stood out due to her polished offensive repertoire and silent assassin demeanor.
The Wings-Dream matchup inspired me to purchase a WNBA league pass subscription. The league only has 12 teams, so the talent is concentrated in each team featuring the world’s most decorated players. The talent level makes for highly competitive games.
After consuming League Pass games, I attended a matchup between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. I had not attended a WNBA game since the late-2000's; the game has grown tremendously.
The diverse fan base and welcoming atmosphere were spirited, entertaining, and highly professional. The affordable ticket prices were a hit with families, which is a rare sight at pricer NBA games in the Big Apple.
Ellie the Elephant, the Liberty mascot, is one of the best in professional sports, and the over 60, Timeless Torches dance troupe are crowd pleasers. The game was competitive in the first half, then the Liberty stepped on the gas and blew the Dream out to the crowd's delight.
I enjoyed the game and was determined to get tickets to another. I set my sights on the premier matchup with the league's top team – the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, led by University of South Carolina sensation A’ja Wilson.
The Aces visited NYC on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. The crowd outside the arena was reminiscent of the energy before a Brooklyn Nets playoff game, with thousands eagerly awaiting entry. A range of celebs were in attendance, and the arena's upper levels were opened to accommodate ticket demand.
The high-powered Aces were routed by the Liberty in an awe-inspiring second-half performance. Looking around the arena and seeing the excitement of the fans, I felt that women’s professional basketball was on the precipice of something huge.
The New York Liberty drew 11,000+ fans on a beautiful summer day in NYC. That may sound paltry in a city of over 8 million people, but it is not easy.
For starters, women’s sports are marginalized, and outside of tennis and soccer, they typically draw smaller crowds. The competition is fierce in NYC, as there is always so much to do. Therefore, getting that many people to attend is commendable.
I’m curious to see what the WNBA becomes in the next few years. Currently, WNBA games bring a mix of people together to enjoy highly skilled women doing their things outside the watchful eyes of the mainstream's superficial hang-ups. Hopefully, the league doesn’t lose its freedom when the masses finally catch up.
Snapping Williamsburg Brooklyn
Photographing Williamsburg, Brooklyn can capture the neighborhood's eclectic mix of architecture, street art, and people. The area offers a visual feast for photographers with its vibrant colors, textures, and juxtaposition of old and new.
As one of the largest neighborhoods in New York City, Williamsburg presents a vast canvas for exploration. This guide provides helpful tips for capturing the western part of this vibrant district.
Before undergoing hyper-gentrification, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was a blue-collar neighborhood inhabited by a diverse mix of ethnicities, including Italians, Polish, Jews, and Latinos commonly known as Los Sures. The district was predominantly residential, adorned with clusters of brownstones and tenements, while the waterfront was characterized by industrial warehouses like the Domino Sugar Refinery — an iconic landmark that pays homage to the area's vibrant sugar industry history.
Williamsburg was known for its lively street life, mom-and-pop shops, and resilient residents. Despite its challenges, the community had a strong sense of identity and a rich cultural history.
The transformation of Williamsburg was spurred by struggling artists seeking cheaper rents after being pushed out of pricier Manhattan neighborhoods. Their iconic works and the thriving arts scene they cultivated peaked in the late 1990s, and by the early 2000s, the neighborhood had transformed into a sought-after destination. Williamsburg helped solidify Brooklyn's expanding global reputation, and this spotlight ushered in rapid changes that have rendered the neighborhood almost unrecognizable.
Presently, it has emerged as a sought-after haven for both residents and visitors, boasting a plethora of attractions ranging from dynamic street art, cozy coffee shops, and artisanal bakeries to trendy restaurants, cinemas, vibrant bars, nightlife, music venues, upscale hotels, stylish boutiques, and upmarket corporate chains. With its high rents, enticing amenities, and enviable proximity to Manhattan (just a subway stop away), Williamsburg has captivated an international community of young professionals and affluent families.
Street Art and People
Williamsburg’s colorful street art is a distinct feature in the neighborhood
Naveen Shakil Mural in South Williamsburg
Williamsburg is known for its unique and colorful street art, which is scattered throughout the neighborhood. Prominent street artists from around the world have created murals on building facades throughout the district. Internationally-known artists such as Eduardo Kobra, D*Face, and Naveen Shakil have murals sprinkled throughout. Explore the streets on foot and capture murals and graffiti.
The Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg sports a striking D*Face mural
The buildings overlooking bustling Bedford Avenue are noteworthy for their colorful street art. Moreover, Bedford Avenue is a great spot for people-watching, as it attracts heavy foot traffic. The avenue is lined with restaurants, cafes, trendy shops, corporate chains, and street vendors offering an exceptional opportunity to capture intimate portraits and snapshots.
On Bedford
Williamsburg is an excellent choice for photo shoots.
Venture to South Williamsburg to get pics of some of the most striking street art in NYC. The "Mona Lisa of Williamsburg" is a standout. The 4-story mural combines the work of Steven Paul and Colossal Media to create a striking piece backdropped by the Williamsburg Bridge and Manhattan’s iconic skyline.
The Mona Lisa of Williamsburg
Street art spans the neighborhood in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
South Williamsburg
Explore the Parks
Williamsburg is home to several of Brooklyn's best parks, which offer everything from riverfront Manhattan views to some of the best people-watching in NYC.
Marsha P. Johnson Park, nestled along Kent Avenue between North 7th and North 10th, provides breathtaking shots of skyscrapers along the East River. The park also hosts Smorgasborg, a buzzing Saturday outdoor food market that attracts an eclectic mix of foodies and top NYC food trucks. Capture all the action at the park to immortalize the liveliness of the neighborhood against the backdrop of the towering Manhattan Skyline.
Domino Park is an expansive outdoor space that also offers beautiful Manhattan views as well as everything from beach volleyball, bocce courts, fountains, and a playing field to dog runs and restaurants. Ascend the teal tower to capture the action in the park and spectacular views of the historic Domino Sugar Refinery with its distinctive Domino Sugar Sign, the Williamsburg Bridge, and the Manhattan Skyline.
Domino Sugar Refinery redevelopment overlooking Domino Park
The Taco Cina sign is a great option for larger than life photos
McCarren Park is a top choice for sports and action shots. The park serves as Williamsburg's communal backyard, attracting locals who make use of its amenities such as a running track, handball courts, pickleball courts, sports fields, tennis courts, dog runs, playground, and swimming pool. McCarren attracts a cross section of New Yorkers, making it an incredible place to get a glimpse of the city’s diversity.
McCarran Park is a great spot for track workouts, soccer matches, basketball, tennis and much more
Take some time to explore the park to capture the greenery, surrounding architecture, and the frenetic activity around you. Since New Yorkers never do anything half-heartedly, you can photograph everything from heated track competitions to spirited soccer matches. McCarran Park connects the neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Greenpoint and is bordered by Bayard Street, Lorimer Street, Nassau Avenue, and North 12th Street.
Tune Squad Mural at Rodney Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Another gem is Rodney Park North, a compact oasis in South Williamsburg with multiple basketball courts. In 2019, the courts were repainted with "Tune Squad" street art in anticipation of Space Jam: A New Legacy starring NBA legend LeBron James. The colorful court is still striking despite years of use and is great for unique photos of street ballers in action or fashion shoots. Rodney Park North is on Rodney Street between South 4th and South 5th.
Be mindful that Domino Park, Marsha P. Johnson Park, and McCarran Park are popular destinations, so be prepared to dodge crowds during peak hours.
Williamsburg Bridge is one of the most interesting ways to access the neighborhood
Williamsburg Bridge
Walking the Williamsburg Bridge is highly recommended. The steel marvel is adorned with graffiti ranging from whimsical to thought-provoking. It also offers striking views of the Manhattan skyline, with unique perspectives of One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building visible from the south and north sides, respectively. The bridge is great for honing your street photography skills as a colorful cast of locals commute across it throughout the day. Williamsburg Bridge is also a top option for photo shoots as it perfectly frames subjects in a gritty scene.
Events and Festivals
Williamsburg hosts numerous festivals
Williamsburg hosts several of NYC's best performances and festivals at venues such as the Williamsburg Music Center. Hone your event photography skills and show off your ability to photograph live performances and the excitement of attendees.
Take the Train
Williamsburg is accessible via multiple MTA New York City Subway lines, namely the L, G, J, M, and Z trains. Among these lines, the Marcy Avenue J/M/Z train station stands out as one of the most picturesque stops in New York City, providing elevated panoramas of the renowned Williamsburg Bridge, historic Williamsburg Savings Bank, and the neighborhood's distinct architectural features.
Brooklyn Bridge View
If you’re visiting NYC or a local looking to take the best photos of the Brooklyn Bridge and the massive New York skyline, there are a few helpful tips to help you create the perfect photographs.
The Brooklyn Bridge is a New York icon, annually attracting millions of visitors. On a given day, thousands walk its promenade to take everything from travel selfies and wedding portraits to fitness photos and landscape photography, with the bridge’s recognizable arches and Manhattan high-rises as the backdrop. If you’re visiting NYC or a local looking to take the best photos of the bridge and the massive New York skyline, there are a few tips to help you create the perfect shot.
Tourists photograph the Brooklyn Bridge
Capturing the Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan
Hudson River and East River bridges provide iconic skyline views from unique vantage points around New York City. But the view from the Brooklyn Bridge is arguably the best. Skyscrapers such as One World Trade Center, Frank Gehry’s 8 Spruce Street, New York City Hall, and the historic Woolworth building are just a sample of the architectural gems on display. The skyline is perfectly framed behind the Brooklyn Bridge’s famous Neo-Gothic arches, making for beautiful compositions for landscape photography, portraiture, or selfies.
Midtown and the Manhattan Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge Promenade's center section delivers breathtaking views of Midtown Manhattan and the Manhattan Bridge. Though not quite as famous as the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge is no slouch. The blue suspension bridge is a hit with travelers as it is the focal point in the artwork for Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America. Those instantly recognizable suspension towers, and the ability to frame the Empire State Building between them, spurs millions of tourists to flock to Washington Street in the DUMBO neighborhood for selfies and other stylized travel photos.
Cars cross the Brooklyn Bridge with Manhattan Bridge in the distance
But if you want to capture the city and Manhattan Bridge from a different perspective, the view from the center of the Brooklyn Bridge is unbeatable. The Empire State Building and Manhattan Bridge are visible from this vantage. With good composition, you will easily capture a Brooklyn Bridge arch and or spans, the Manhattan Bridge, the Midtown Manhattan Skyline, and the Empire State Building in a single frame.
Facing east on the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade offers views of Downtown Brooklyn, the New York Harbor, Brooklyn Heights and Manhattan Bridge
Photoing the Brooklyn Side
An overlooked photography opportunity is snapping the eastern side of the Brooklyn Bridge. Most tourists focus on Manhattan, but, the Brooklyn side offers views of architectural gems. The contemporary steel and concrete skyscrapers in Downtown Brooklyn, classic pre-war architecture in Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO's renovated warehouses, and new stylish mid-rises are visible when facing Brooklyn. Additionally, you can capture Manhattan Bridge and the spectacular Jane’s Carousel from this viewpoint.
Photographing the Brooklyn Bridge
Across the River from Manhattan
No session is complete without photos of the Brooklyn Bridge itself. There are key areas around the bridge with incredible angles and sight lines that will make your photos pop.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a noted spot to take pictures of Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Skyline, and the action along the East River. Walk to the waterfront area beneath Brooklyn Bridge to snap a spectacular shot of the span against the Manhattan Skyline. The DUMBO side of the park offers impressive views that incorporate Jane’s Carousel.
Nearby St. Ann’s Warehouse has a triangular garden that frames the Brooklyn Bridge arch overhead. These locations are ideal for fitness photography, travel photos, and engagement/wedding photos.
The Brooklyn Bridge overlooks St. Anne’s Warehouse in DUMBO
Walk up the Brooklyn side of the Manhattan Bridge pedestrian path for beautiful shots of the Brooklyn Bridge. Enter the pedestrian path at Jay Street and Nassau Street, then walk to the first tower. Peek your lens through the openings of the chainlink fence to capture the photograph. This angle provides unobstructed, panoramic photos of the Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan, and DUMBO, Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan and DUMBO
Getting There
Access the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan by entering the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade at Center Street and Park Row or via the Park Row staircase. From Brooklyn, enter the promenade at Tillary and Boerum Place or via the staircase at Washington Street and Prospect Street.
If you are visiting NYC or a local needing more than a selfie at the Brooklyn Bridge, Marques Jackson Photography is here to serve your needs. Services include portraiture, travel and lifestyle photography, fitness photography, and social media photography that will capture you, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York skyline in their best light.
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NYC Photography Tour
For travelers visiting New York, taking the perfect selfie can be daunting. However, traversing New York City with a seasoned photographer will provide you with an extensive library of high-quality photos for the gram.
New York is exhilarating, with five distinct boroughs rolled into one exciting metropolis. For travelers visiting NYC, taking the perfect selfie can be challenging. The city is bustling and filled with many photogenic backdrops, so choosing the perfect angles and landmarks can be overwhelming.
However, traversing the Big Apple with a seasoned photographer and resident will provide you with an extensive library of high-quality photos that will make you the envy of your friends. The NYC Photography Tour guarantees you the best professional photographs of yourself and iconic landmarks to commemorate your stay in the world’s most exciting destination. This tour is an ideal choice for creating content on Instagram, with the added possibility of producing Tik Tok videos and Instagram Stories.
One of A Kind Experience
The tour package is all about you and your needs. We tailor each photography session to suit your style while providing professional polish. The photo tour can take place anywhere in the five boroughs, and our photographer will work with you to help bring your vision to life. If you are unsure where to start, leave the planning to us, and we will create a photo shoot that is fit for an editorial.
Variety is the Spice of Life
With our tips and recommendations, your New York photos will capture an audience. For example, take travel photos in different locations while dressed in different outfits to keep things interesting. The pictures will have more variety, which engages your followers on social media. Another key element is mixing well-known NYC sites with in-the-know locations favored by locals. The New York Photography Tour package employs these tips to make photos stand out from a crowded field. Your followers will be wowed by your portraits at iconic landmarks and curious about the fashionable photographs at trendy, odd, and lesser-known NYC haunts.
A Service for Every Type of Traveler
The New York Photography Tour serves an eclectic selection of travelers from the US and abroad. We have provided tourists with a library of premium photographs to use on their social media platforms. From European fitness influencers who needed action shots for social media and American business professionals looking for the perfect portraits to world-renowned professional dancers looking to celebrate their stay in the city, our clientele is diverse. Each client receives an expertly tailored photography tour session that captures their individuality while amplifying all that makes NYC distinct.
NYC's Best Photography Tour
Marques Jackson Photography offers the Best NYC Photography Tour. You will work with a leading professional photographer with years of experience in portraiture, fashion photography, social media photography, and fitness photography. His work has been featured in leading publications such as the Evening Standard, USA Today, Buzzfeed, the Culture Trip, and many more. He's also worked with top brands such as Clif Bar and Co., Whole Foods Market, Athleta, Breville, Kotex, and more. Jackson will encourage you to reach your upper limits, providing expert direction and capturing photos that showcase you at your best. He creates a fun and relaxed atmosphere that will put you at ease and make the tour informative and enjoyable. The NYC Photography tour package is a unique way to explore the city and showcase your stay in New York through awe-inspiring photos that will last a lifetime.
Book Your NYC Photography Tour
Manhattan Bridge View
The Manhattan Bridge has been featured in countless TV shows and films. A popular photography backdrop for tourists, feature films, and social media influencers, the view from the Manhattan Bridge is also great for capturing a unique perspective of the city.
Whether in or out of focus, the Manhattan Bridge creates an incredible atmosphere.
The Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic symbol of New York. With its gothic revival architecture, it’s easy to see why millions of tourists flock to see one the larger-than-life structure. However, a little further to its north lies the Manhattan Bridge, an underrated gem and tourist attraction in its own right. The Manhattan Bridge's famous spans were immortalized in Sergio Leone’s epic Once Upon a Time in America. More recently, it has become a popular background for Instagram selfies. If you’re looking to capture the city from a unique point of view, nothing compares to photographing New York City from the Manhattan Bridge.
New York’s Manhattan Bridge from DUMBO.
Background Player
Though not as ubiquitous in pop culture as the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge is no slouch. It has been featured in countless films and television series. From the aforementioned Once Upon a Time in America, to the opening credits of TV’s Living Single, Fiat and Massimo Dutti commercials, Tom Cruise’s Oblivion and the Denzel Washington starrer The Taking of Pelham 123.
Washington Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn attracts tourists from around the globe.
Washington Street in DUMBO is arguably Brooklyn’s most famous photography spot. Each day, thousands of tourists, social media influencers, professional photographers and videographers flock to the neighborhood hoping to capture the Manhattan Bridge and the Empire State Building in the same frame. However, by not venturing onto the bridge, shutterbugs are missing out on some of the best shots of NYC and its larger-than-life structures.
Finding the Manhattan Bridge Views
The Manhattan Bridge south side walking path gives unobstructed views of several NYC landmarks.
The Manhattan Bridge offers stunning views of NYC from various angles. From the bridge’s south side walking path, Manhattan’s Financial District skyline is prominent, with clear views of towering skyscrapers such as One World Trade Center, the Woolworth Building, and City Hall. Chinatown, the Statue of Liberty, DUMBO, Jane’s Carousel, and Brooklyn Heights are also visible. You can’t photograph the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn Bridge, so the Manhattan Bridge’s south side path is your best bet for capturing the iconic site.
Northern view from the Manhattan Bridge.
The bridge's north side bike path offers a breathtaking glimpse of the seemingly endless Midtown Manhattan skyline, with views of the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the newly-minted Hudson Yards. Williamsburg Brooklyn and the Williamsburg Bridge are visible from the north side of the bridge.
For video recording, riding the subway between Brooklyn and Manhattan via the Manhattan Bridge offers a cinematic experience. Press your lens against the train windows to capture the steel spans framing sections of the city, showing the depth and breadth of the Manhattan skyline. From the gritty, colorful environs of Chinatown and the Lower East Side to the glitzy Midtown Manhattan skyscrapers, a little bit of everything is visible from this vantage point. The N/Q trains traverse the southern side of the bridge, while the B/D trains offer views from the northern side.
Whichever perspective you choose, the Manhattan Bridge view of NYC is going to make your photos and videos pop.
Graffiti and the Fence
Unlike the pristine Brooklyn Bridge, which is kept spotless and preserved for tourist consumption, the Manhattan Bridge has attitude. It’s adorned by colorful graffiti that gives it a character-filled, lived-in edge and much-needed splashes of color. From whimsical takes about life to DIY advertisements and brutally honest critiques, the graffiti gives one pause to laugh, cry, or ponder their life choices. The graffiti also photographs beautifully, providing a striking backdrop for portraiture or fitness photography.
A chain link fence flanks both dedicated biking and walking paths to prevent people from indulging in point-of-no-return impulses. Despite the protective barrier, life finds a way. At key points along the bridge paths, sections of chain link fence have been cut by industrious New Yorkers looking to give themselves, their cameras, and their phones the freedom to see the city from a different perspective. At these spots, photographers and cinematographers can take a moment to capture the city’s iconic skyline.
A recent addition to the Manhattan Skyline, One Manhattan Square stands tall beside the Manhattan Bridge.
A Busy Crossing
The Manhattan Bridge is so much more than a backdrop for movies and Instagram posts. It’s arguably the most functional of the East River crossings, offering a number of ways to travel between two of NYC’s busiest boroughs.
The blue-steel marvel houses four subway lines, four upper level and three lower level automobile lanes, and dedicated biking and walking paths. It links several unique New York neighborhoods that offer contrasting takes on city living. Chinatown — a cultural epicenter teeming with restaurants, shops, street vendors, and hordes of foot traffic – sits on the Manhattan side. The Brooklyn side sits between two bustling neighborhoods that are the poster children for gentrification: Downtown Brooklyn and DUMBO, with their high-rise office buildings, restaurants, shopping, and residential skyscrapers.
The bridge is loud in every sense of the word. Cars wizzing by and the noisy steel-on-steel of the subway train serve as a reminder of NYC’s go-go-go lifestyle. On the Manhattan Bridge, it becomes apparent that there are a dizzying number of trains traversing city as they frequently make use of the crossing. It’s so noisy that I often wonder how thick the windows are in the surrounding DUMBO high-rises and the relatively new One Manhattan Square residential skyscraper on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
If you want to capture live video from the bridge paths, remember to use a high-quality, noise-cancelling microphone with a windscreen if your subject is speaking. The thundering subway trains make it almost impossible to clearly capture voices.
Getting There
Walk the Bridge: the Brooklyn pedestrian path entry sits at the intersection of Jay Street and Nassau Street. The Manhattan side pedestrian path entrance is at the corner of Canal Street and Bowery.
Bike the Bridge: The Manhattan side bike path entrance is on Chrystie Street. The Brooklyn side bike path entry is at Jay Street and Sands Street.
Capture the view from the Subway: From Manhattan, take Brooklyn-bound N/Q trains from Canal Street station or Brooklyn-bound B/D trains at Grand Street station. From Brooklyn, take Manhattan-bound D/N trains from Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station or Manhattan-bound B/Q trains at DeKalb Avenue station.
Drive: Enter the bridge at the intersection of Canal Street and Bowery on the Manhattan side. From Brooklyn, enter the bridge at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue Ext. and Tillary Street.
When photographing or videotaping from the Manhattan Bridge, please remember that the bridge is first and foremost a mode of transportation. Do not obstruct anyone while taking photos and videos unless you want an authentic New York greeting ;).
Finding the Best NYC Photography Services
In NYC, finding a photographer is as easy as locating the nearest subway station. However, all photographers aren’t created equally. In order to find the best New York photographers, you must do your homework.
If you’re looking for the best NYC photography services, there are a few factors to consider that will help you narrow down your search. First, you’ll need to clarify what kind of photography services you need. This guide will walk you through the steps to find the best NYC photography services to suit your needs, as well as offer a look at the NYC photography services of Marques Jackson Photography.
NYC Photography 101
New York City photography is in a league of its own, with the world’s best photographers documenting a stunning array of people and urban landscapes every day. NYC is the largest city in the U.S., drawing creative photographers from all over the world. Whether you need portrait photography, social media photography, small business photography, fashion photography, or event photography, there are expert photographers in NYC who can do an amazing job. In addition, the city provides an incredible array of options when it comes to photo opportunities, offering magnificent skyline views, iconic sites, and some of the best fashion in the world.
Tips for Finding Manhattan Photography Services
If you’re looking for a photographer in Manhattan, a good place to start is with a Google search. From there you can check out different NYC photography websites, and the photographers will have their portfolios and services listed on their sites. You’ll want to find Manhattan photography services that include what you need. For example, if you need NYC event photography, check to see that a photographer has stellar event photos on their website and includes event photography in their services list. You can reach out to your top choices for photographers via their website contact pages.
NYC Portrait Photography
If you’re looking for a portrait photographer in NYC, then you will want to check out photographers who have extensive portrait photography experience. Marques Jackson offers NYC photography services that include indoor and outdoor portrait photography. Whether you need professional headshots for work purposes or street-style headshots for social media, NYC photographer Marques Jackson can capture you at your best. Marques has photographed people in settings ranging from the streets of Chinatown and Soho to clients’ homes to indoor studios with professional lighting and backdrops. If you want the city to play a part in your portrait, Marques’s street-style photos expertly interlace the vibrant vibe of NYC with your own character and unique look. Check out Marq’s portrait portfolio to see samples of his depth of portrait photography experience.
NYC Social Media Photography
If you need social media shots in NYC, it’s best to find an experienced social media photographer. Marques has been photographing influencers in NYC for over 10 years, serving up iconic shots that have gone viral and even been published in international news outlets. Marques has also shot premiere NYC influencer events, where his wealth of experience, creativity, and great people skills shine. If you’re an influencer visiting NYC, it’s a great opportunity to fuel your social media feeds with unforgettable photos. And for local NYC influencers, you don’t have to worry about walking around trying to document everything on your own when you can leave it to a pro whose skills will blow up your comments and likes.
NYC Fitness Photography
If you need NYC photography for fitness shoots, there are not a lot of photographers who can capture detailed lines and explosive movements in clear, brilliant images while bringing out your best angles. Marq has photographed NYC fitness events and fitness influencers for over 10 years, proving his expert-level skill at capturing movement, muscles, beauty, and grit. Whether you need someone to photograph a race, gym workout, or street-style fitness modeling, Marques has done it all. Check out his fitness portfolio for samples of his NYC fitness photography.
NYC Fashion Photography
If you’re a model, designer, actor, or director, you may need NYC fashion photography. You’ll want to find an experienced photographer who has a stellar fashion portfolio as well as the ability to make models feel comfortable on camera. Marques has been documenting New York Fashion Week as well as street style for over a decade and is adept at bringing out the best style, perspective, and lighting for models. Marq’s fashion photos go beyond the surface and bring out the essence of a person’s style and personality. For fashion events like New York Fashion Week, Marq captures the unique experience and essence of the event.
NYC Small Business Photography
If you own a small business, marketing can be a challenge. But with beautiful professional photos, you can attract more customers, showcase your business in the best light, and update your website, social media, and newsletters with incredible photography. Grow your bottom line exponentially with high-quality small business photography. With his photography, Marq documents the businesses that drive the city of New York, highlighting the stories, people, and visuals that make people smile, laugh, cry, and, ultimately, buy. He has worked with NYC small businesses such as Conbody, Runstreet, NYC Racquet Sports, and organizations like Run for Chinatown and Run4Fun International, helping them grow their social media, branding, and marketing to drive engagement, participation, and sales.
NYC Event Photography
Whether you need corporate NYC event photography or event photography for your small business, Marques Jackson Photography will provide the best quality professional photos to capture your event in all its splendor. Marq’s unique ability to frame not just the people and place but also the feelings and atmosphere makes his NYC event photography truly one of a kind. Check out Marq’s event photography portfolio for samples of the wide range of events Marq has covered.
Are you looking for the best NYC photographer? Book a complimentary consultation with photographer Marques Jackson about your NYC photography needs. To inquire about a specific NYC photography service, check out Marq’s Services page. And check out Marq’s past photo shoots here.
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Finding the Best Brooklyn Photography
Whether you want to capture your street style in the iconic avenues of Brooklyn for social media or schedule corporate event photography, New York photographer Marques Jackson will deliver.
Wonder Wheel. Coney Island, Brooklyn
If you need Brooklyn photography services, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to capture your street style in the iconic avenues of Brooklyn for social media or schedule corporate event photography, Brooklyn photographer Marques Jackson will deliver. Marques has spent over 10 years documenting the people, style, businesses, and events of New York City, leveraging his unique perspective and expertise to produce stunning photos that capture the essence of the city’s spirit.
Brooklyn Photography In the Streets
Washington Street. DUMBO, Brooklyn
Brooklyn, New York City’s most populous borough, is home to the creative soul of New York City. With artists, innovators, makers, creators, and shakers, Brooklyn serves up its own unique style that is world famous. From the iconic Brooklyn Bridge to stately brownstones and epic street art, Brooklyn offers a one-of-a-kind photography backdrop that attracts millions of visitors from around the world.
Whether you want to capture the uniquely retro beach vibe of Coney Island or showcase your Brooklyn small business in the best light, Brooklyn photographer Marques Jackson will memorialize the scenes for you. Immerse yourself in the vibrant borough of Brooklyn for social media or capture the magic of your Brooklyn event with the best Brooklyn photography services.
Best Places for Brooklyn Photography
Capture your street style in the world’s hippest place or get an unforgettable travel photo with stunning professional photos. There are so many incredible places in Brooklyn to bring out the best look and feel for your photos. Here are the best places for Brooklyn photography:
Dumbo offers sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan Bridge, all set against a gorgeous backdrop of Brooklyn Bridge Park, complete with greenways, piers, sailboats, and waterfront perspectives.
Williamsburg is a funky, colorful place to capture street style and life, with eclectic cafes and eateries, vibrant murals, and a funky vibe.
Downtown Brooklyn is the bustling hub of life in the borough, with a mix of unique shops and restaurants, brownstones, murals, and the buzzing Barclays Center.
Brooklyn Bridge is the perfect place to shoot next to Dumbo. The stunning historic landmark draws millions of tourists a year for good reason - it offers beautiful views of the NYC skyline against the backdrop of stately lines and architecture on the iconic bridge.
Williamsburg Bridge is a great addition to any Williamsburg shoot. Capture a uniquely funky vibe on the graffiti-covered pink and concrete bridge, which makes for amazing social media photos and travel photos that will stand out in everyone’s social feeds.
Fort Greene, Park Slope, Bed-Stuy and Prospect Heights are distinctly Brooklyn neighborhoods that feature the famous historic Brooklyn brownstones. If you want a uniquely Brooklyn street shot, these neighborhoods offer the perfect backdrop.
Bushwick is home to the most murals in NYC, with the street art mecca of the Bushwick Collective drawing international artists to paint massive walls for blocks and blocks. If you want an art-filled Brooklyn photography shoot unlike any place in the world, head to Bushwick.
Brooklyn Social Media Photography
Face off. Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The best Brooklyn photography depicts more than the look of a person or place - it captures the true spirit. If you need a Brooklyn photographer to capture your best self for your social media feed, Marques Jackson offers special social media packages. Marques’ social media photography experience with influencers, influencer events, corporate events, and small businesses has uniquely positioned him to be able to create iconic, unforgettable images for social media. Create a story, a vibe, and a tribe with Marques’ Brooklyn photography for social media.
Marques’ photos have helped catapult small businesses and influencers to stardom and success, as he has the unique ability to capture a person’s and brand’s true spirit in a unique, exciting, and iconic way. If you want your social media feeds to stand out from the crowd and stop the scroll for double takes, likes, comments, and saves, then Marques’ social media photography is your best bet.
Brooklyn Event Photography
Runstreet X JMZ Walls event. Bushwick, Brooklyn
If you need Brooklyn photography for your next corporate event or small business function, Marques is an experienced local photographer who has helped many businesses capture their events and offerings. Whether you are hosting a fitness event or an evening soiree, Marques will bring his stunning photography skills, easygoing personality, and ability to capture people’s positive aspects to work for you.
Runstreet X Luna Bar Northside Festival. Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Marques’ skills in making people feel comfortable and enjoy themselves are an asset at any event. Keep your guests and sponsors smiling for years to come by capturing your next Brooklyn event with the incredible skills of a creative photographer.
Brooklyn Portrait Photography
Smoking Break. Williamsburg, Brooklyn
If you need a Brooklyn portrait photographer, Marques can capture you at your best in the streets of Brooklyn, in your home or business, or studio. Marques offers his signature humor and ability to bring out the best in people to each portrait session. Whether you need a new professional headshot or want to capture a high-quality portrait of yourself for social media or business purposes, you will never have to dig through your device again in search of a headshot.
About the Photographer
Marques Jackson is a creative Brooklyn photographer who has been capturing the people and streets of New York City for over a decade. Marques’ roots in fashion photography and street style photos have helped him bring a stylish and vibrant perspective to everyone he photographs.
Brooklyn photographer Marques Jackson has shot everything from New York Fashion Week to corporate events and products for global brands like IHG Hotels, Whole Foods Market, Clif Bar, Reebok, Kotex, Saucony, and many more. Marques has also helped local small businesses expand their reach and brand with incredible social media photography, product photography, and event photography, working with growing local brands including ConBody, Runstreet, and NYC Racquet Sports.
Marques Jackson Photography in the Press
Marques’ photography has been featured in USA Today, the Evening Standard, Dove Magazine (Italy), Buzzfeed, the New York Post, Time Out New York, Playboy, Thrillist, Dauphine Magazine, and Runner’s World.
Book a complimentary consultation with Marques about your NYC photography needs. To inquire about a specific Brooklyn photography service, check out Marq’s Services page.
Check out Marq’s past photo shoots here.
Related Posts: Fitness Modeling in Williamsburg, From New York’s Street Art Mecca to Italy, Labor Day Weekend in Dumbo
Neon Nights
Though seemingly not as Instagrammable — in the most basic sense — restaurants like Neil’s Coffee Shop are sorely needed in an increasingly homogenized world.
Neil’s Coffee Shop on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Update: Neil’s Coffee Shop has closed. The restaurant was evicted months after their owner died at age 84.
A few weeks ago, I ventured to my former neighborhood, Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Often dubbed as “un-hip,” the well-heeled nabe is largely known as a haven for billionaires, millionaires, celebrities, the geriatric crowd, and a sprinkling of young professionals. That description fits, but the neighborhood is also amenity-filled, with an array of restaurants and bars, high-end retail, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, Central Park, East River Greenway, Carl Schurz Park, Cooper Hewitt Museum, and the Neue Galerie New York at one’s fingertips. The area also has relatively affordable rents (in the old tenement buildings east of Lexington Avenue) compared to the rest of Manhattan below 96th Street.
Ruby Red Lights on Lexington Avenue
During my time there, I spent a few late nights strolling various avenues, usually down to Midtown or up to Harlem. On those walks, I often marveled at the area's impressive architecture. Though not quite as ornate and arresting as the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side’s architecture is no slouch, offering a mix of Art Deco buildings, brownstones, and contemporary high-rises that were home to the Jefferson’s, the Sheffield’s, and Carrie Bradshaw in the world’s imagination. It’s also where Blue Ivy Carter entered the world.
A highlight of those extended walks was seeing dozens of storefronts adorned with neon signs. Those whimsical embellishments, featuring unique fonts, slogans, and graphic art, hearken back to a bygone era. Most of all, they add a pop of color to the neighborhood’s stately buildings.
Neil’s Coffee Shop, an unassuming, half-century old diner outfitted with formica booths and a lunch counter, has one of my favorite signs on the UES. Neil’s neon sign is an entire mood, bathing East 70th Street and Lexington Avenue in atmospheric ruby red at night.
While snapping these photos, I noticed a subtle shift in parts of the neighborhood. The 2017 opening of the Second Avenue Subway has made the UES more desirable for a larger number of young professionals, spurring trendier local chains to follow. As a result, longtime haunts are vying for attention against upstarts like Blank Street Coffee — a hip, rapidly expanding chain with outposts in trendier parts of NYC.
Though not as Instagrammable (among those who favor white, minimalist spaces with brown woods, and subway tiles), restaurants like Neil’s Coffee Shop are sorely needed. These character-filled, time-tested spaces look like places human beings actually stop in to engage with the world.
Update: The NY Times has reported that Blank Street Coffee is a venture-capital backed coffee chain that has now opened dozens of shops and kiosks around NYC and several locations in London.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman: Peach Tao at Ray's Candy Store
Brooklyn artist Peach reimagined the storefront of Ray’s Candy Store with a mix of bold colors and her signature iconography.
Ray’s Candy Store storefront painted by artist Peach Tao. New York, 2019
In August 2019, I photographed New York artist Peach Tao for a profile in collaboration with Runstreet. In the ensuing years, Peach has become one of NYC’s most prolific street artists, with artwork adorning the walls of Chinatown buildings and popular eateries across the five boroughs, as well as in NYC Public Schools and at the Bushwick Collective. At the time of this writing, Peach was gaining notoriety for the whimsical work she’d done at the legendary Ray’s Candy Store in Manhattan.
Runstreet profiled Brooklyn-based artist Peach Tao for her revamp of the signage at Ray’s Candy Store. An East Village icon attracting celebrities and a cult-like clientele, Ray’s is a quirky eatery that has been featured in several films and TV series.
Marnie Kunz interviews Peach Tao New York, 2019
We met Peach roughly a month after she’d finished the artwork at Ray’s. A native of Beijing, she’s a talented and well-traveled artist with a warm and engaging personality. Her bold eye makeup, whimsical accessories, and mixed-patterned clothing were as distinctive as her work.
Peach reimagined the restaurant’s somewhat dull exterior by using bold colors and her signature iconography, making the storefront standout along the busy avenue.
Peach Tao enters Ray’s Candy Store. New York, 2019
Going inside Ray’s Candy Store is like stepping back in time. Faded posters, featuring stars of Hollywood’s past, delicious treats, and handwritten signs, covered every inch of the walls. The shop’s pastel exterior and tube-lit interior joined the gritty New York of yesteryear with the more Instagram-friendly version we’ve come to know over the last decade.
Interior of Rays Candy Store, 2019
Traces of modernity amidst a sea of classic posters.
The classic Columbo Frozen Yogurt sign stirred some of my favorite childhood memories. New York, 2019
Catching up. New York, 2019
We spent about 20 minutes in Ray’s chatting, appreciating the atmosphere, and enjoying complimentary egg creams, which were delicious. These one-of-a-kind gems are fading away in the East Village as gentrification strips the remaining character from the neighborhood and replaces these types of eateries with fast-casual chain restaurants. Hopefully Ray’s will continue to power through.
Fixing up three egg creams. New York, 2019
All smiles at Ray’s. New York, 2019
Runstreet’s Marnie Kunz and Peach Tao. New York 2019
Artist Peach Tao holds and egg cream outside Ray’s Candy Store in the East Village. New York, 2019
My favorite photo is the shot of Peach looking refreshed, relaxed, and prideful as she stands outside the storefront.
From New York's Street Art Mecca to Italy
Life is unpredictably rewarding at times. Our seemingly routine photoshoot on a sun-kissed day in Bushwick made its way around the globe.
Marnie Kunz at the Bushwick Collective. New York, 2019
After several years of exponential growth, Runstreet street art tours were garnering a global audience after a series of high profile features in European media outlets. The photos in this feature appeared in DOVE Italia’s 2019 New York Travel Guidebook.
July 2019 was a great time for Runstreet. The crew was coming off a series of successful events across the U.S. and several team members were heading to London and Paris to scout street art in preparation for a possible retreat in 2020.
I photographed Runstreet founder, Marnie Kunz, on a gorgeous mid-summer day in Bushwick, Brooklyn, where we shot vibrant photos at the Bushwick Collective and JMZ Walls. The shoot commenced at the Bushwick Collective, an art lover’s paradise filled with dozens of murals by the world’s leading street artists. Known for their arresting displays and festive annual block party, the Bushwick Collective is also a favorite haunt of European tourists.
Runstreet’s Marnie Kunz in Bushwick. New York, 2019
The colorful shots of Marnie were a hit on social media. They also found their way to a magazine editor in Italy. DOVE, Italy’s premier travel and lifestyle publication, featured a full-page version of the photo above in their 2020 New York Travel Guide.
Leaping lens flare. New York, 2019
Our next stop was the JMZ Walls. Though not as popular as the Bushwick Collective, the JMZ Walls offer some of the most compelling street art in New York. The group derives its name from the J/M/Z subway lines that rumble above Broadway. Their eye-catching murals line Broadway, featuring the works of artists based in Bushwick.
Marnie Kunz jumps on Broadway. New York, 2019
My favorite photographs from this series are the shots of Marnie jumping between the Pink Panther and Roger Rabbit, and the photo of her running past the Nipsey Hussle tribute mural by BKFoxx. The photos capture the grit and beauty of a neighborhood that is quintessentially New York.
Marnie Kunz and BK Foxx’s tribute to Nipsey Hussle.
Life is unpredictably rewarding at times. Our seemingly routine photoshoot on a sun-kissed day in Bushwick made its way around the globe.
The Swede: Fitness Modeling in Williamsburg
Hailing from Stockholm, Sara’s an engaging and probing conversationalist who holds herself to high standards. I related well to her perfectionism and diligence. These shared traits allowed us to work effectively to get the best shots possible.
Sara poses in Martha P. Johnson Park in Brooklyn. New York, 2018
I began dabbling in photographing competitive bodybuilders in 2018. Of all the shoots I’ve done, these photos with Stockholm-native Sara standout as her fantastic physique perfectly contrasts with the towering Manhattan skyline.
I photographed Sara, a competitive bodybuilder and fitness model from Stockholm, Sweden, in April 2018. She was visiting New York and wanted fitness modeling photos with Manhattan’s skyline in the background. Our mutual friend, Karolina, referred me.
I vividly remember shoot day as I’d spent the afternoon training staff for Runstreet’s Daydream 5K Art Run and Festival in Bushwick, Brooklyn. After the training session ended, I hopped the L train to nearby Williamsburg for the shoot.
Swedish Kicks. New York, 2020
I met Sara and Karolina at Martha P. Johnson Park in the late afternoon. Upon meeting, my mood improved as Sara’s commanding presence and striking features energized me. The gorgeous weather was an added bonus with rich sunlight, dark shadows, and shimmering blue skies.
Sara’s not just a pretty face. An engaging and probing conversationalist who holds herself to high standards, I related well to her perfectionism and diligence. These shared traits allowed us to work effectively to get the best shots possible.
The photoshoot primarily took place along the park’s sandy beachfront overlooking the East River. I took shots of Sara in various poses and actions. The kicking shots were a personal favorite as they highlighted her muscular limbs.
Sara poses with the Empire State Building in the background. New York, 2018
One of my favorite shots is the photo of Sara posed along a wood bench with sunlight caressing her back. The sight of the iconic Empire State Building gives the photo a sense of place, while Sara’s skin and hair glisten in the sunlight.
Honorable mention goes to the black and white shot of Sara posed and pointing to the sky. Her muscular limbs and fingers are more prominent in monochrome, perfectly complementing the jagged points in New York’s towering skyline.
Sara and the City. New York, 2018
Behind the Scenes, photo by Karolina Finskas. New York, 2018
Sara was an enjoyable subject who looks incredible on camera. She also took direction well, easily churning out dozens of usable photos in a very short period.
Karolina served as a behind the scenes photographer and assistant during the shoot, helping with direction and ensuring that Sara’s hair and outfit were in place.
Karolina: Samba and Chaos in Chinatown, NY 2018
A samba dancer descends upon Lower Manhattan on a late-summer afternoon.
Photographed in the Summer of 2018, Samba Dancer and Stockholm native, Karolina Finskas poses in Soho.
As of 2022, Karolina Finskas is dancing with Dança Global, a Brazilian samba and fusion dance troupe. At the time of this shoot, Finskas was samba dancing at various events around NYC.
Instagram has connected me with a bevy of clients, and few are more memorable than Stockholm-based, part-time NYC resident, Karolina Finskas. A professional samba dancer who tours the Continental Europe, the Caribbean, South America and the US, Finskas’s zest for life and incredible energy resonate whenever I have the pleasure of photographing her.
This series of photos were taken on a balmy late-summer day in 2018. We met on Grand Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown for a one hour promotional photoshoot. Dressed in a vibrant samba costume, Finskas was able to do something that rarely happens: make jaded New Yorkers stop, look and inquire about what we were doing.
The thirsty response of men from various classes and ethnic groups spoke to the universal nature of men. It also illustrated, yet again, the type of harassment and ogling that women experience. I kept the peanut gallery at bay, begrudgingly enforcing a look but don’t dare touch policy to get through the shoot. But my subject definitely didn’t need my protection. With nerves of steel and an unflinching level of focus, the Stockholmer quipped at tongue-wagging bypassers, giving as good as she got. After a few minutes, they took a hint and moved along.
Karolina on Pell St.
Undeterred by the catcalls, she remained camera focused, giving me the ability to capture a series of promotional photos as well as a range of behind the scenes shots of all the chaos.
Karolina Finskas stares down an overly-enthusiastic crowd on Mott Street.
The most memorable moment of the day occurred as we were wrapping up. We strolled over to Mott Street for a series of photos in the midst of a chaotic scene. Finskas’s presence was enough to stop traffic, motivating tourists and locals alike to pull out their phones to snap photos and record videos. Unbothered by the spectacle of it all, she stared down the crowd like a pro. The photo of her standing defiantly on Mott Street remains my favorite shot of the day. Perfectly coiffed and armed with a sense of humor and devil-may-care attitude, Finskas’s strength and ability to command the situation were awe-inspiring.
Smoking Break: Fashion Photography in NoLita, NYC
Bright red lipstick and a pack of cigarettes serve as inspiration on a spring afternoon in Manhattan.
Fatma, enjoys a smoke in NYC.
The photos in this set feature a fashionable medical professional I’ve photographed many times. She’s one of my favorite New York-based collaborators.
Taken during an April afternoon meetup in 2019, this series features Fatma, a stylish and lively subject I’ve known for years. Hailing from Kuwait City, she moved to the US to attend university in Buffalo. Upon graduation, Fatma relocated to New York and has lived in the city ever since.
We connected via Instragram in 2015 when I was searching for a unique face to feature in an article for Dauphine Magazine. We ended up collaborating on a memorable piece about her life in the New York and always challenging fashions.
These photos were taken after a coffee and chat at citizenM New York Bowery hotel. During our conversation, inspiration struck as I was distracted by the contrast between her sunglasses and striking red lipstick. We headed over to a bright red wall on nearby Kenmare St. in NoLita to snap a few photos of her talking and smoking against the vibrant backdrop.
Despite not being a fan of cigarettes, I do love to photograph smokers.
The direction for these photos: smoke and talk. As she updated me on her life, I captured candid frames of her facial expressions and hand movements which became more striking and cinematic due to the proximity of the red wall and Nom Wah’s seasonal red entrance.
This particular set of nine photos are my favorites from that day. Fatma is in the midst of talking and smoking, emitting a range of emotions and movements with every utterance. Those fleeting moments — quicksilver — are the ones I love to preserve in photographs.
Bijou: From Williamsburg to Soho
I photographed Bijou in May 2018, capturing her in peak physical condition. Her sculpted body was the result of the hard work she’d put in training as a competitive bodybuilder.
Bijou, strikes a pose in the East Village. New York, 2018
These photos will always resonate as they were my first shoot with a competitive bodybuilder. I was acquainted with the subject — Bijou — beforehand, but I learned a great deal about her life at the time as we scoured Williamsburg and Lower Manhattan in search of the perfect setting.
I crossed paths with Bijou, a competitive bodybuilder and avid cyclist, during a photography assignment at CONBODY fitness studio. Fearlessness defined, she’s an intelligent, endearingly nerdy, and natural beauty who personifies cool. A master of the mirror selfie, her glorious mane and exceptional shoe game are always on point.
I photographed Bijou in May 2018, capturing her in peak physical condition. Her sculpted body was the result of the hard work she’d put in training as a competitive bodybuilder.
Bijou poses at Martha P. Johnson Park (aka East River State Park). New York, 2018
On shoot day, I met Bijou and her husband, Jerry, at Martha P. Johnson Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The skies were grey, but the cloud cover ensured there wouldn’t be harsh shadows on her face.
Bijou was ready to shoot, sporting a colorful manicure, perfectly coiffed hair, dope sneakers, and range of body-hugging outfits. The session started along the rocky banks of the East River, where I snapped photos of her against the Manhattan skyline.
After roughly 20 minutes of shooting, we hopped in their car and rode over the Williamsburg Bridge to Lower Manhattan. As we crossed the river, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bijou and Jerry on a range of topics. The engaging conversation, filled with insights and lots of laughter, created a relaxed atmosphere that enhanced the shoot. Refreshingly hospitable, the couple brought complimentary snacks and beverages, which was a nice touch.
Bijou poses in Soho. New York, 2018
At our next stop in Soho, Bijou’s beauty and magnificent shape set tongues wagging, drawing compliments and catcalls from scores of ogling men. Unfazed, she blocked out the noise and posed beautifully. Jerry was equally composed, showing a command of the situation and level of self-control most men lack.
Over in the East Village, Bijou drew attention from men and women. A group of guys spotted her standing in the street and adjusted their walking routes to get a better view, while a well dressed female couple stopped and told her how beautiful she looked.
Bijou in Soho. New York, 2018
My favorite photos from the session are of Bijou standing against a graffiti wall in Soho and the shot of her in the middle of the street in the East Village. In both photographs, she conveys strength and beauty as those glorious locks sweep her stunning figure.
Bijou sports her Rebook Classics Freestyle high tops in the East Village. New York, 2018
After leaving Bijou and Jerry, I reflected on how cool they were. Their closeness and genuine love for one another were inspiring. Eschewing conventions, they’re one of the most compatible couples I’ve met. And as the photos illustrate, Bijou is one of my best subjects.
A Sense of Normalcy in Venice
The Runstreet team enjoys four days of sun, fun and hosts an Art Run in Venice, California.
Runners pose in front of the famous VENICE sign. Venice, CA 2020
As the Runstreet photographer, I had the pleasure of photographing a series of art-run tours around the U.S. The photos in this collection feature Runstreet’s first West Coast street art run, which took place around Los Angeles’s picturesque Venice neighborhood.
The Runstreet team traveled to Los Angeles in late-February 2020 for the Runstreet X Athleta Venice Art Run, sponsored by Athleta and Hotel Erwin. We flew to LA during the beginning stages of the Covid-19 outbreak in the U.S. Our team felt a sense of dread about boarding a five-hour flight, but we had a job to do, so we sucked it up and headed west.
Upon arrival in LA, the warm sunshine and blue skies put us at ease. We picked up a rental car, turned up Spotify and drove to Venice. The privacy of the car and personal space made us feel more secure in comparison to the wall-to-wall crush of people and public transportation centered lifestyle we’re accustomed to in New York. We also noted how carefree Angelenos seemed about coronavirus, which allowed us to relax a bit and enjoy ourselves.
Suite living room at the Hotel Erwin. Venice, CA 2020
Hotel Erwin
Accommodations were provided by Hotel Erwin, a four-star boutique property steps away from Venice Beach. The hip, retro-modern hotel is popular with fashionable beach-loving travelers.
I was booked into an extended-stay suite that was larger than most New York apartments. The suite featured mid-century style furnishings, beautiful art work, and colorful decor.
Guest bedroom at the Hotel Erwin. Venice, CA, 2020
The oversized living area housed a large sleeper sofa, wet bar, dining table, LG flat screen TV equipped with streaming and cable channels, and a balcony with ocean views. The separate bedroom featured a queen bed, ample storage, flat screen TV, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The bedroom walls were adorned with a striking black and white handprint wallpaper that perfectly contrasted with the orange pendant lamps.
View of Venice Beach and the Pacific Ocean from my balcony. Venice, CA, 2020
Runstreet founder, Marnie Kunz, holds a post card at the Hotel Erwin. Venice, CA 2020
Hotel amenities and facilities included a busy rooftop bar and lounge with panoramic ocean views, in-room dining and two on-site restaurants. The hotel is steps away from the Venice Boardwalk, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, the iconic VENICE sign, coffee shops, bars, and delicious eateries such as Teddy’s Red Tacos, Great White, and Egg Slut.
Group Shot at Venice Beach. Venice, CA 2020
Running and Art
The Venice Art Run was hosted and sponsored by Athleta. We connected with them through their Community Marketing Manager, Brianna Docimo, a former New Yorker we worked with for several years before she relocated to Los Angeles.
The run began and ended at The Waterfront Venice Beach, a popular boardwalk eatery with a colorful atmosphere. Event highlights included stops at the Venice Art Walls, the famous Venice Canals, murals along Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and the iconic VENICE sign.
The group poses at the Venice Canals. Venice, CA 2020
Runners at the Runstreet X Athleta Venice Art Run. Venice, CA 2020
The Art Run attracted an eclectic crew of runners of various ages. The Angelenos welcomed Runstreet with open arms and invited us back to run with them again.
The Couple that Runs Together. Venice, CA 2020
Runstreet founder, Marnie Kunz, and runners outside The Waterfront Venice. Venice, CA 2020
A runner strikes a pose at the Venice Canals. Venice, CA 2020
Runners pose at the Venice Art Walls. Venice, CA 2020
Hotel Erwin Director of Sales and Marketing, Amy Ramskill (far right) and friends. Venice, CA 2020
Runstreet’s Marnie Kunz and Athleta Community Marketing Manager, Brianna Docimo. Venice, CA 2020
All heart. Venice, CA 2020
Runners gaze upon the Venice mural. Venice CA 2020
Skaters and the Crowd at Venice Skate Park. Venice, CA 2020
Around Venice Beach
During our free time, we took in the sites and sounds on the Venice Boardwalk. From the skate park, biking/running paths, and muscle beach, to buskers, acrobats, and bevy of restaurants, Venice Beach’s frenetic scene was teeming with energy.
Let it Flip. Venice, CA 2020
Basketball Courts, Venice Beach. Venice, CA 2020
The Venice Basketball Courts, which gained international fame in the film White Can’t Jump, are great for action photos. The scene around the Venice Skate Park is equally incredible. It reminded me of the chaotic atmosphere at the Cage in Greenwich Village, where the participants and onlookers are captivating.
Skaters and the Crowd. Venice Beach, CA 2020
Back to an Alternate Reality
We spent four glorious days enjoying the fun and sun in Los Angeles. On those warm, late-winter days, we lamented traveling back east to face the cold and gray, as well as the worsening news about the spread of COVID-19.
The time we spent in Venice feels like a dream. I can still smell the ocean air during our early morning scouting runs and vividly recall the late night stops at Whole Foods Market for munchies and snacks. Enjoying hugs and laughs with friends and strangers are what I miss most. But looking back at these photos, the smiling, mask-free faces are a good reminder that our alternate reality is temporary. We will travel, live freely, and enjoy group running, hugging strangers, and indoor dining once again.
Labor Day Weekend in DUMBO
One of the city’s more aesthetically pleasing historical districts, DUMBO’s converted warehouses, cobblestone streets, pristine waterfront, and majestic bridge views are immortalized in dozens of films, television series, and classic photographs
Labor Day Weekend in Brooklyn Bridge Park. New York, 2020
Holidays have been a blur in 2020 as COVID-19 continues to alter the ways we mark the passage of time. Labor Day Weekend was different in Brooklyn this year. The annual Jouvert Celebration went virtual and organizers cancelled the West Indian Day Parade. So instead of dancing, people watching, enjoying incredible food, and marveling at the colorful cultural garb, I grabbed my camera and biked to DUMBO.
Parallel Lines: The Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge tower over DUMBO. New York, 2020
Brooklyn’s posh waterfront neighborhood was buzzing with activity as locals and a scattering of tourists enjoyed outdoor dining and gathered in Brooklyn Bridge Park. I avoided the area’s busier sections, spending the day admiring architecture on DUMBO’s quieter streets and in nearby Vinegar Hill.
One of the city’s more aesthetically pleasing historical districts, DUMBO’s converted warehouses, cobblestone streets, pristine waterfront, and majestic bridge views are immortalized in dozens of films, television series, and classic photographs. Luckily, the weather was perfect this weekend, bathing the neighborhood in crystal blue skies, warm sunlight, and deep shadows.
City Bikes and the Manhattan Bridge. New York, 2020
The subway trains rumbling over the Manhattan Bridge and boats zipping by on the East River reminded me of simpler times in the city.
Manhattan Bridge. New York, 2020
As I walked around the neighborhood, it felt like any other day. A stop along the river’s pebbled shore offered a stunning glimpse of New York’s impressive skyline. But, COVID-19 was omnipresent, as most people wore face coverings and signs reminded park goers to socially distance and mask up.
A man walks through Brooklyn Bridge Park wearing a mask. New York, 2020
Regardless, I felt better than I have in months by engaging in one of my favorite activities: photographing New York City.
The Ballerina and the City
A photogenic ballerina with classic Hollywood looks, long limbs, exceptional posing skills and an incredible personality, Hannah Kickert is one of my favorite subjects.
Hannah Kickert jumps on the streets of Chinatown. New York, 2018
The photos in this series were taken from 2017-2019. They feature Vienna-based, part-time NYC resident, Hannah Kickert. A photogenic ballerina with classic Hollywood looks, exceptional posing skills and an incredible personality, Kickert is one of my favorite subjects.
Hannah Kicker jumps in the East Village. New York, 2017
We met in 2017 at a Runstreet Art Run in the East Village. I photographed Kickert jumping against a Hektad mural in the First Street Green Cultural Park. The photo went on to become one of my most popular shots.
Hannah Kickert on the promo poster for Runstreet’s Daydream 5K Art Run and Festival. New York, 2018
In spring 2018, I worked with Hannah on a promotional photoshoot for the Runstreet Daydream 5K Art Run and Festival. She performed several jumps while wearing a full costume. Hannah was featured on the primary posters for the event.
Alternate take of Hannah Kickert for the Runstreet Daydream 5K Art Run and Festival. New York, 2018
Hannah contacted me in the summer of 2018 to schedule a fashion photoshoot before she returned to Vienna.
Hannah Kickert photographed in Chinatown. New York, 2018
I recommended shooting in Chinatown and Soho, the same locations for the Karolina Finksas series, as I wanted to see the contrast between two dancers — with distinct performing styles, hair colors and body types — and their respective approaches to the settings.
My favorites from the Chinatown portion of the shoot are these four consecutive frames taken on historic Doyers Street.
Hannah Kickert photographed in Soho. New York, 2018
We walked over to the relatively quieter streets of Soho to take street-style portraits. Hannah swapped out her jeans for cropped shorts.
Hannah Kickert walks in Soho. New York, 2018
Hannah in Soho. New York, 2018
Portrait of a ballerina. New York, 2018
We collaborated again in spring 2019 upon Hannah’s return to New York. The photos were captured a few hours before she flew back to Vienna.
Hannah Kickert in NoLita. New York, 2019
I took several shots of her in subway stations and on the streets of Lower Manhattan. But my favorite photos are of Hannah at the red wall in NoLita and her smiling in Central Park.
Hannah in Central Park. New York, 2019
After wrapping up in Central Park, we walked over to the Upper East Side. Before we parted company, Hannah taught me how to properly pronounce two of her famous countrymen’s names: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dominic Thiem.
Blue Skies On A Stroll Through NYC
Walking around pre-Covid New York was one of my favorite activities. The city seemed to go on forever and there was something interesting to look at, everywhere.
People watching in Herald Square.
Walking around pre-Covid New York was one of my favorite activities. The city seemed to go on forever and there was something interesting to look at, everywhere. As my old building superintendent’s once said, “Who needs TV when you can come outside and watch this?”
Captured in May 2018, this photo series begins in Herald Square where I met Runstreet founder, Marnie Kunz, for a promotional shoot. At the time, Marnie was sponsored by the fast casual restaurant chain, Honeygrow, and needed a few photos at their Minigrow by Honeygrow location in Midtown.
Runstreet’s Marnie Kunz at Minigrow in Midtown
After finishing up at Minigrow, we walked over to the Flatiron District to run a few errands. During our walk and chat, I snapped taxi cab and intersection shots along Midtown’s bustling avenues.
Yellow taxis along Sixth Avenue with the Freedom Tower peeking out.
Crossing shot looking south on Broadway near the Flatiron Building.
A taxi heads south on Broadway near the Flatiron Building.
Who needs a bike lane?! Yellow taxis and cyclists jockey for road space on Broadway.
After parting ways with Marnie in the Flatiron, I continued down Sixth Avenue to Greenwich Village’s West 4th Street Courts aka “The Cage.”
The West 4th Street Courts are a basketball mecca and one of the best street photography spots in the city, especially during spring and summer. As streetballers battle it out, the crowd looks on with an intensity that’s generally reserved for NBA games. The adjacent West 4th Street Subway-Washington Square Station pours out hundreds of commuters every few minutes, which adds more energy to an already frenetic block.
The highlight of these testosterone-driven photos is a dynamic young woman who holds her own with the men. With a sweet jumper, good rebounding, tough defense and fierce determination, that strong young female streetballer put the guys on notice.
“Who needs TV when you can come outside and watch this?”
Onlookers watch streetball while others make their way along 6th Avenue.
After watching streetball for an hour, I headed over to Brooklyn via the Williamsburg Bridge. My favorite East River crossing, the Williamsburg Bridge teems with commuters, joggers, bikers, skaters, subway trains and ever-changing graffiti, while offering panoramic views of the city’s mammoth skyline.
An M Train crosses the Williamsburg Bridge.
Statement on the Williamsburg Bridge.
Looking toward Manhattan from the Williamsburg Bridge. The Freedom Tower makes another appearance.
After crossing into Brooklyn, I stopped along Broadway to snap a few more photos. South Williamsburg’s mosaic of street art, classic NYC architecture and bridge views are a visual feast.
Bridge views and street art in South Williamsburg.
These photos are a great reminder of a world where we freely ventured around the city, eagerly huddling together at basketball courts, on bridges and in busy shopping districts. Oh, how lucky we were. We’ll get back there.
Marnie and Pat: Early Morning Fitness in Domino Park
Runstreet’s Marnie Kunz and fitness trainer Pat Stacks get in a photogenic workout in Williamsburg’s Domino Park.
Marnie Kunz and Pat Stacks Domino Park, Brooklyn
Booking a 7:00 AM outdoor shoot on a hot and humid mid-July morning is generally not my preference. But on the rare occasion, these sticky, swamp-like conditions can serve as the perfect inspiration to get things done.
On this sweaty morning, I had the pleasure of working with my good friend, business partner, and Runstreet founder, Marnie Kunz, and one of the fittest men in New York, 24-Hour Fitness trainer and Yolked sponsored athlete, Pat Stacks. Our location for the day was Domino Park, a picturesque urban green space with stunning backdrops, including the Manhattan skyline, Williamsburg Bridge, East River and the old Domino Sugar Refinery.
The early start time was chosen to ensure that we had the park and its facilities to largely ourselves. For a little over an hour, Marnie and Pat went through a series of exercise demonstrations against a backdrop of beautiful blue skies and dynamic architecture. The park’s rich colors complemented their photogenic faces, beautiful smiles and humbling physiques.
From sprints and pull-ups to lunges and push-ups with a full-extension dap, Marnie and Pat posed perfectly with every move. After spending an hour watching them easily go through exercises for multiple takes, I began rethinking my entire fitness regimen.
Pat scales the Tacocina sign in Domino Park
Marnie Kunz jump’s for joy in Domino Park.
My favorite photo from the session is Marnie’s jumping shot. Captured in one take, the photo screams “FREE,” while the park’s pastel-colored architecture exquisitely accents Marnie’s fire-red hair and vibrant attire.
These photos are a good reminder of the lives we led before COVID-19 altered the world. Moreover, they inspire me to keep pushing and to remember that someday, we’ll feel as free and strong as we did on an oppressively hot and humid July morning in 2019.