This is so honest and so interesting! Love the part where you say you spent half of your borrowed money on clothes to look like a fashion editor - so smart.
Your advice on developing your edit is so good. Editing is such a critical part of creativity. Love your work - have been following since the beginning!
I relate to so much of what you said. Following you for a while.. probably since 2008. Don’t ever stop doing what you are doing b/c it’s so distinctive from the rest of this over saturated market.
As a kid I would ride through the farms of my small town on north fork of LI to pharmacy to get vogue and bazaar. I would mimic the looks they’d style in the editorials. Some kids in HS were mean about it .
Went to FIT shot film but got a job for Barney’s NY. Then moved back to island and had a daughter who was my muse as I self taught myself digital. Very challenging since I didn’t know how to even work a computer… or the digital camera.
Started getting some prime lenses, dressing my daughter up in Bonpoint and all these French kids clothes I sourced sometimes ridiculous for where I lived. Some must have liked it ,and I started by word of mouth started shooting events and some other assignments. I sometimes wonder what would be I stayed it in NYC. But, I wouldn’t have my daughter and she is everything. We choose roads for a reason… but, i always find fashion even in the most mundane, so i enjoy being on the periphery of beautiful cities (people watching in a non- creepy way lol) love seeing that world through the lenses of people like yourself.
I followed your blog long ago and asked you to show linen suits so that men would dress for summer, and stop blasting AC so hard—and you did! Thank you for helping give nuance to the overnight success idea—we work for years and percolate ideas before that can happen. Plus parenting, I hear that. Your work is terrific. Eva at The Vivid Eye: evaallanarts.substack.com
I think the messaging truly crosses so many creative boundaries. Any entrepreneur in the creative, or overcrowded service-based space, needs to be crystal clear on their “edit,” if you will. I understand that even more deeply now through the lens you’ve shared.
I'm on a similar journey, started taking photos of people in Vancouver 8 years ago and still continue to this day. I've gained quite a niche following, with 50% of my audience being from the city, 80% being from Canada, but I can't seem to break into any other markets and it's always been a mystery. When people finally do discover the page from other places they are always so fascinated with the style here, but I can't seem to find traction. Anyways, your work and journey has always been an inspiration for me, and it's great to see you on Substack now so I can continue to learn from your process!
I loved spotting you at Bamboo bar at the sublime Armani Hotel this Fall. I was the elderly brunette who paused very briefly beside you,said “I like your work”and then continued on to the dining room. Delighted you e started this newsletter
Another Gen Xer 👋 that has followed you since you started the blog and who appreciates your sharing the road that led you here. As an editor, this story warms my heart. Thanks!🩷
You took my photo and posted it to your blog in March 2007 and it still remains one of my defining moments as a New Yorker!
This is so honest and so interesting! Love the part where you say you spent half of your borrowed money on clothes to look like a fashion editor - so smart.
Your advice on developing your edit is so good. Editing is such a critical part of creativity. Love your work - have been following since the beginning!
A wonderful read from a truly personal and creative perspective. Thank you
I relate to so much of what you said. Following you for a while.. probably since 2008. Don’t ever stop doing what you are doing b/c it’s so distinctive from the rest of this over saturated market.
As a kid I would ride through the farms of my small town on north fork of LI to pharmacy to get vogue and bazaar. I would mimic the looks they’d style in the editorials. Some kids in HS were mean about it .
Went to FIT shot film but got a job for Barney’s NY. Then moved back to island and had a daughter who was my muse as I self taught myself digital. Very challenging since I didn’t know how to even work a computer… or the digital camera.
Started getting some prime lenses, dressing my daughter up in Bonpoint and all these French kids clothes I sourced sometimes ridiculous for where I lived. Some must have liked it ,and I started by word of mouth started shooting events and some other assignments. I sometimes wonder what would be I stayed it in NYC. But, I wouldn’t have my daughter and she is everything. We choose roads for a reason… but, i always find fashion even in the most mundane, so i enjoy being on the periphery of beautiful cities (people watching in a non- creepy way lol) love seeing that world through the lenses of people like yourself.
Loved reading this - flashback down memory lane - I worked at Esquire when Nick was fashion editor - maybe was in the office when he commissioned you.
I followed your blog long ago and asked you to show linen suits so that men would dress for summer, and stop blasting AC so hard—and you did! Thank you for helping give nuance to the overnight success idea—we work for years and percolate ideas before that can happen. Plus parenting, I hear that. Your work is terrific. Eva at The Vivid Eye: evaallanarts.substack.com
Wow. Thank you for sharing this!
I think the messaging truly crosses so many creative boundaries. Any entrepreneur in the creative, or overcrowded service-based space, needs to be crystal clear on their “edit,” if you will. I understand that even more deeply now through the lens you’ve shared.
Incredible.
I'm on a similar journey, started taking photos of people in Vancouver 8 years ago and still continue to this day. I've gained quite a niche following, with 50% of my audience being from the city, 80% being from Canada, but I can't seem to break into any other markets and it's always been a mystery. When people finally do discover the page from other places they are always so fascinated with the style here, but I can't seem to find traction. Anyways, your work and journey has always been an inspiration for me, and it's great to see you on Substack now so I can continue to learn from your process!
Perfect read and storytelling! I always wanted to know your origin story.
I loved spotting you at Bamboo bar at the sublime Armani Hotel this Fall. I was the elderly brunette who paused very briefly beside you,said “I like your work”and then continued on to the dining room. Delighted you e started this newsletter
Another Gen Xer 👋 that has followed you since you started the blog and who appreciates your sharing the road that led you here. As an editor, this story warms my heart. Thanks!🩷
The first photo of you is giving Jerry from twin peaks and I love It
Thanks ! You’re my inspiration.. Love your images
I feel like I’m on the inside looking out reading this. Love it, and amazing - the anonymity for so many years added to the impossibility of it all. x
Amazing, thank you for sharing 🤩