My trip to New York City has been planned for months. I initially wanted to use my personal vacation as a double-duty trip to also photograph either a bridal or engagement session. Although I had many interested people and many inquiries, I was unable to synchronize schedules and availabilities to make this work. But, all was not lost. I captured over 700 images of the Big Apple on my trip and enjoyed nearly every second I was in New York City.
I left to the Big Apple feeling a bit of apprehension. One, the subway system intimidated the heck out of me and it was inevitable that we’d have to use it and two, I wasn’t sure I could afford to eat while I was there. I was wrong on both accounts. The subway is relatively easy to use and there’s really no difference in the price of food.
After missing our first flight out of San Antonio at 6:10 a.m. due to the extremely long security line, Southwest Airlines promptly had us on another flight within 30 minutes. (Thank you, Southwest!) Had we also missed that 6:40 a.m. flight, we would have been stuck in the airport until 5:00 p.m. waiting to fly out.
We hit New York about 1:00 p.m. and literally hit the ground running. In three days, we covered the Grand Central Terminal, Central Park, Time Square, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the September 11 Memorial, Motown—the Musical, Chinatown, Little Italy, and Yankee Stadium. We put a lot of miles on our walking shoes and had nearly mastered the subway system by the time we left. This is a city that I could have totally lived in when I was in my 20’s. However, I don’t think it’s a city in which to grow old, raise children or have pets.
The biggest thing I came away from NYC is that the city is a feat of harmony, engineering and technological advances all rolled into one. When you try to imagine all of intricacies of the city (water, sewer, trash, public transportation, traffic, deliveries, jobs, etc.), the fact that everything is so close knit and that 8.336 million people live there, New York City is an amazing accomplishment. The city has a real sense of rhythm and pulse so strong that not even 50 million annual tourists can disrupt it. It’s strictly hustle and bustle. If you threaten to break the cadence by being indecisive, getting out of line, or waiting too long, the city (or someone in the city) promptly reminds you that it is in control, even if it seems perpetually under construction.
New York City must have the most street entertainers, street vendors, and public works of art per capita than any other city in the world. It is a city that constantly speaks to you. New Yorkers have also found the most unique places to display their advertising. Everywhere you look, there is an ad for something.
These aren’t necessarily my favorite images from the trip, but out of the 717 images I captured in New York City, this is a small collection of what I think embodies the life of the city. This collection does not include my favorite image from July, also taken in NYC at the September 11 Memorial.
And while, I didn’t get a chance to photograph a bridal or engagement session, I did get a chance to photograph a New York City proposal… of sorts.
Until next time, be positive, be happy, be healthy, and don’t forget to be photographed.
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I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget. As a professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.
I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling, reading, and listening to Elvis!
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