It was early Thursday morning at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and I was half-asleep, dragging myself to the gate for my 6 a.m. flight to New York. But before boarding, I had to stop and smile at my outfit—it was giving exactly what I needed: casual, chic, and most importantly, comfortable. I threw on a black tailored blazer I found at H&M, paired it with some baggy low-rise jeans from Fashion Nova, and finished the look with my old-school Adidas. With a long day ahead in the city, I needed something easy to walk mad blocks in—but still fashion-forward.
If you’re flying into NYC from the Southeast region of the country, do yourself a favor: claim a window seat in the A row. The view of the city coming in is unreal. You’ll see everything from that angle.
Unfortunately, I didn’t even get to enjoy it. I started counting clouds, dozed off, and completely missed my shot. Rookie mistake. Next time, coffee first—nap later.
Arlo SoHo
When it comes to hotels in Manhattan, I’ll be honest — I hate them. The rooms are tiny, the prices are ridiculous, and cleanliness isn’t always a guarantee. I’ve stayed at enough spots around the city to know when I get a good deal.
This time around, I checked into Arlo SoHo, on Hudson near Tribeca. I’ve stayed at an Arlo before — their NoMad location — and absolutely loved it. The brand leans into the whole boutique, minimalist, design-forward vibe, which I prefer. Think “Instagram-worthy” but practical… at least in my mind.
Here’s the thing: while the space was cozy enough and my room was clean, the stay didn’t exactly move me. The lobby was mad busy and a little too cramped for my liking, and both check-in and check-out felt more frustrating than they should’ve been. Customer service really depended on who you got at the desk — some helpful, some not so much, but this is what I expect out of New York hotels.
That said, I did get a solid night’s rest, and the location is a win: SoHo puts you close to multiple subway options — Canal Street (1 train), Spring Street on 6th Ave (C/E trains), and Spring Street on Lafayette (6 train) — which made getting around super easy. If you’re traveling solo and just need a clean bed in a convenient spot, Arlo SoHo can work. But for me? Between the tiny room size and the overall meh experience, I probably wouldn’t book it again.
Lights, Camera, Growth: Reunion at NYFA
It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since I graduated from The New York Film Academy. A reunion with my former instructors felt long overdue, so instead of giving anyone a heads up, I decided to just show up—hoping I might bump into a few familiar faces wandering the halls. To my surprise (and relief), I did.
Walking back through the downtown campus stirred up a lot for me. This place has seen me at my lowest and my highest, and stepping through those doors again made me feel both proud of how far I’ve come and humbled by where I started.
Let’s Talk About the Journey
When I first moved to New York, I had my scholarship and tuition covered—but that was about it. No apartment, no stability, and definitely not a pot to piss in. For the first week, I stayed in a hotel in Queens before finally finding a small room in The Bronx for $600 a month. Every day, I’d catch the 6 train from Cypress Ave., ride it all the way down to Brooklyn Bridge, then transfer to the 4 or 5 to Bowling Green. That was my daily pilgrimage in those early days.
It was a little scary, but more than anything, it was humbling. I learned quickly that visiting New York and actually living in New York are two very different experiences.
On my first day at NYFA, I was 23—wide-eyed, eager, and completely unprepared for what was ahead. I didn’t know anyone, and felt completely alone, but that changed quickly. I found my community there—through my classmates and teachers. Honestly, there’s no way I would’ve survived that first year in New York without the support and connections I built.
However, this school didn’t just welcome me; it challenged me. It was the “school of hard knocks” that taught lessons no undergrad ever did.
I can still picture myself sitting in the hallway, crying my eyes out, feeling defeated and questioning whether I even belonged in photography. There were moments I was ready to quit. But NYFA had a way of tearing me down just enough to rebuild me stronger. By the time graduation rolled around, I walked out not just with new skills, but with a renewed sense of purpose and the confidence to actually claim my space in this industry.
Sean Brown
David Mager
Chris Knight
There are three men I’ll never forget: Sean Brown, David Mager, and Chris Knight. More than just instructors, they were mentors who pushed me, believed in me, and quite literally taught me everything I know about working a camera and printing. But what made them stand out was that they weren’t just teaching from a textbook—they were living it. Each of them runs their own successful photography business and has carved out a name in the industry. To check out their work, hover over and click their name.
The fact that they’re still teaching at NYFA today is such a gift. Every class that comes through gets to learn from people who not only know the craft but embody it. That’s rare. They shaped my journey back then, and even now, a decade later, I’m grateful that the sense of community we built hasn’t faded.
What a journey!
Injera, Joey, and SoHo Nights
If you’ve been following my blog for some time now, then you already know Joey. He’s my road dawg—my partner-in-crime whenever I’m in town. We hit the streets, explore new restaurants, and soak up all the culture New York has to offer.
Born and raised in SoHo, Joey carries the city in his veins. Every time we link up, it feels like I’m getting a guided tour through layers of history, flavor, and rhythm.
One of our traditions is Ethiopian food. Usually, we make our way to Ras in Crown Heights, but on this night, we decided to shake things up. Our first stop was Meskerem in SoHo, but the energy wasn’t hitting, so we pivoted and walked mad blocks over to Awash in the East Village. Best decision we could’ve made. Awash had this low-key speakeasy vibe—artsy, jazzy undertones, Ethiopian music in the background. The kind of atmosphere that makes the food taste even better.
I went straight for the vegan platter, because there’s nothing I love more than a meal that’s both light and hearty at the same time. Injera—the spongy, gluten-free flatbread made from teff—stole the show. From there it was a mix of wots and sides: Shiro, a creamy chickpea stew; Misir Wot, spiced red lentils with a kick; Atakilt Wot, a soulful mix of cabbage, carrots, and potatoes; Kik Alicha, mellow yellow split peas; and Gomen, earthy collard greens; and Key Sir Alicha, a simple yet flavorful dish of cooked beets that added this sweet, earthy balance to the whole plate. Every bite reminded me why Ethiopian food will always be my favorite.
Afterward, Joey and I strolled back toward SoHo, weaving through the city streets until we stumbled into Washington Square Park. As if on cue, a group of musicians were playing live jazz and the Empire State Building was lit and chilling under the arch.
We leaned against the fountain, soaking it all in—while Joey ran into some of his friends in the mix. It was one of those New York nights—the kind I grew up seeing on TV. Dinner in the city, a walk through the park, the rhythm of the streets around us, and music drifting in the background. Moments like this are the perfect reminder of what I mentioned earlier: living in New York and visiting New York are two very different experiences.
By the end of the night, I couldn’t help but think back on how the day began. From that early morning flight to my visit at NYFA, wandering the city streets with Joey, sharing injera and stews, and just letting Manhattan’s energy carry me from moment to moment — it felt like a day that only New York could create.
That’s what I love about being here. Every visit has its own rhythm, its own story, and even though I don’t live in the city anymore, it always feels like it pulls me right into the middle of something bigger. It’s not just the places — it’s the people, the food, the music, and those little pockets of time that stick with you long after.
And just like that, day one in Manhattan wrapped up under the glow of city lights and the sound of live jazz. But trust me, the story doesn’t end here — tomorrow takes me across the bridge for a day in Brooklyn, and that’s where things really get interesting. Stay tuned!