We tend to be addicted to phones and technology. During the lockdown, when you cannot socialize in an ordinary way, the news, social media, and your phone become your means of communication with the outside world. I see much danger and risk in that. Smartphones are meant to be addictive, and that can become what you are holding on to mentally. When you are able to cut those, then you are left with yourself...
Arrogance is underrated. Period. It takes something to make your way out to New York, let alone be an artist out here. I'm in love with New York. I've dreamt of New York since I was a teen, even though Chicago will always be home. I've always had confidence border lining arrogance, or so I've been told. This city kind of pushes you over that line, and for good reason. You are a speck in a sea of voices within a small sliver of an island of the world that is called, Manhattan.
This is the time of year when we all attempt to clean up our acts, create new habits and lose those extra holiday pounds. As a health coach this tends to be a pretty busy time of year for me but 2021 is feeling a bit different. While there are still people looking to lose that extra holiday weight, there is also the fun new addition of pandemic weight (thank you 2020!), and for the first time there seems to be a bit more intention behind it.
I am by no means a "newborn photographer", however I have photographed my fair share of toddlers, tots and tykes. A portrait is a portrait regardless of age, and what lights me up is capturing that innocence. Coming up on a year of Covid, I'm receiving an influx of calls for holiday gifts of maternity and soon to be newborn shoots in the New Year.
I was lucky enough to apprentice with the late great Chuck Bogana. Chuck being the last of a bygone era having done the final printing and retouching of legends Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and other masterful photographic Artists, was a master printer who taught me not only the finer points and the artistry that is fine art printing, but in his quiet zen like way, opened me up to what a photograph is and can truly be.
It's been a minute. July is here and city/country life, is opening up. Still running around, grinding it out, I've been thinking on this issue for weeks now and how to approach it. There's a place beyond the actual image, if you're willing to let yourself go and travel there. To lose one's sense of Self in the moment, to be completely removed.
I caught up with an old friend this week. It's been a year but it feels like yesterday since we last spoke. Midway through the conversation she says... did you know so and so is now a photographer? I chucked but she wasn't laughing. Ah yes, another five minute photographer. Not an uncommon statement in any craft which got me thinking of the millions of people, during this strange days that have now learned a new skill and confused it for knowing the craft...
With parts of the country opening back up for business, the need for quality imagery online and on the street couldn’t be at a higher premium. We tapped into the brilliance of Entrepreneur and Real Estate industry veteran, Monika Rais who has been helping shed light to owners, investors & proptech startup firms navigating the complicated NYC real estate landscape for over a decade.
She’s over it. Sweatpants, Non-Stop Screen Nonsense, Awkward Camera Angles featuring your Nostrils. Tania Sterl founder of Sterl on Style is an Image Coach, Personal Stylist, Fashion Expert, Speaker, and published writer. With 18 years’ experience as a fashion designer and an intuitive approach to style, she’s got the vision for not only your next Zoom meeting, but on who you’ll be on the other side of this Pandemic.
Fitness & Nutrition Coach, World Traveler, Beach Bum Bicyclist, founder of Anthony Nehra Fitness at nycfit.com Anthony trains clients in person and around the world with customized programs, and bi-monthly articles including his “Lockdown” training and nutrition guide. You’ll find an abbreviated Lockdown on the following pages.
