What could be more inspiring for a fashion photographer than working with artists in the capital of art? I can hardly imagine anything more thrilling. At that time I already started getting used to the American lifestyle and I was super proud of being able to navigate in the city on my own. One of my favorite photography projects in New York was about to take place on the streets with super talented dancers.
Home is where the coast is
The first dancer whom I had the privilege to create some art with was Karina. We chose my favorite location, Brooklyn Bridge Park to get some breathtaking photos taken. As a girl grown up by Lake Balaton in Hungary, I easily fell in love with this spot, being somewhat sheltered from the noise of the city, where people could get away from the hustle and bustle and find a some peace and quiet. Even though the waterfront was not lined with red rocks like in my Hungarian hometown and on the other side of the river huge skyscrapers were reaching out to the sky, somehow I felt like home here. I had similar feelings when I photographed my first charity exhibition in the rising sun on the shores of Lake Balaton back in 2018. These two moments had something in common: I simply went with the flow, not caring about the stakes, and only afterwards did I realize how meaningful these milestones were in my photographic career.
Dancer photoshoot with Karina, New York Brooklyn Bridge Park, 2022
(Olympus E-M10 Mark III + Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f/1.2 PRO és 40-150 mm f/2.8 PRO)
Cool photoshoot locations are worth fighting for
Karina was accompanied by her mum for the creative photoshoot and while we were capturing some incredible dance moves, Norbi took a few fascinating shots of Karina’s mother too. We started photographing at Brooklyn Bridge Park, but thanks to the beautiful summer sunshine, there were plenty of people around, so it became quite challenging to create amazing fashion shots that didn't get distracted by tourists taking selfies in the background. As usual, I noticed an alternative spot along the riverbank where there was hardly anyone: no coincidence, as it was closed down. But after my New Jersey photography adventures, you might not be surprised by the idea crossing my mind: "Anything for a good shot.” We jumped from rock to rock by the water in order to reach the exclusive part of the coast where we could continue our photoshoot undisturbed.
Dancer photoshoot with Karina, New York Skyline Lookout, 2022
(Olympus E-M10 Mark III + Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f/1.2 PRO)
A photo is great if you’d put it on the wall
The cherry on top came when we walked over to an iconic New York location that I had picked out long before our trip to the US. I had no concrete idea about the creative portrait photo I wanted to capture here, but one thing was sure: I wanted it to be special enough to say that I’d put it on my wall! The view itself was particularly impressive, with the piles of wooden stakes breaking the rippling waves of water. The icing on the cake, though, was Karina's graceful dance move as I asked her to lift her skirt, the texture of which was in perfect harmony with the gentle waves of the East River. The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f/1.2 PRO lens gave me a unique perspective that conveyed the metropolitan feel of New York and the elegance of the model at the same time.
My favorite shots of Karina, New York Brooklyn Bridge Park, 2022
(Olympus E-M10 Mark III + Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f/1.2 PRO)
Countdown starts: New York photography tour 2.0
By the end of the ballerina photoshoot, I was pretty sure that Karina was a special talent, ready to make her dream of becoming a professional dancer come true. I promised myself that the next time I return to America, the first thing on my to-do list will be a creative fashion photoshoot with young dancers at different parts of the city. I've already spotted several exciting locations that have been inexhaustible sources of inspiration for me, so I can't wait to embark on my New York photography adventures again this July. Get ready America, I'm coming soon!
If you're interested in reading similar New York photographer (and personal) stories, below you can dive into the previously published episodes! Follow my next photography tour to the US on Instagram and Facebook for more behind the scenes content! :)
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