Lookin' back

It's virtually impossible for most people to not reflect back on September 11, 2001. Where they were. What they did. How they found out. Who they knew. Their connection to NY. To PA. To the Pentagon and DC. To the world.

I have blogged about my time in New York City a mere 2 weeks before what we now refer to as 9/11. To me, it was about an outstanding journey both professionally and personally by way of New York city, or more accurately Newark, onto Stockholm for a business trip. But we thankfully had a long layover in NJ. And well, wouldn't you go into the city??

New York is much like any city in America. A must see. Grand walking access, although wear comfy shoes. And a photographer's dream to visit.  When we were there, we were shooting film. And traveling with film required thought and a plan. Or at least a back-up to buy more film. I chose to shoot in mostly in black and white. There is something so timeless about a black and white photo.

Bust, From My Window No. 7, Andre Kertesz

It is like every other city in that you have to accept the challenge to exploring a huge city. We had to stop an employee to ask him how to get to certain stops on the subway. He was the nicest man. So very helpful and really made our time so much easier.

I do remember that no one really looked at each other when we were moving. That train car was like a long elevator ride, where no one talks or looks at each other. I was so happy to hear that after 9/11, that people were talking more to each other. What cool people. I can only imagine their stories.

John Lee ©brandMOJO Images

As a photographer, it is weird to not look around. I had my camera in hand and wanted to photograph every nook and crack. I crave street photography. That is where Chinatown came in handy. Not one person looked at us with disdain for taking their photograph.

So today not only makes me think of how dramatically that city changed and how so many lost loved ones, but I think of the journey we all have come. And New York City continues to completely thrill many many visitors and photographers.  Cheers, New York.

Looking back, a tribute to New York City

It's really surreal thinking back 9 years ago. Actually, my mind starts back to sometime in late August nine years ago. My good friend and I had the great honor of being flown from Portland, OR to Stockholm for a business trip.

We were the top sales women at Pro Photo Supply and were flown over by Profoto, the line of photo lighting, to check out their factory and be schmoozed some while in Sweden. We could not have believed our luck with this one. Hard work really does pay off. We had a hefty layover in NYC, technically Newark, before jumping the Luftansa jet to Stockholm.

And thank god we did and thank god we decided to get on the train from Newark that put us right next to MSG (aka Madison Square Garden) in the heart of NYC. We had the best time roaming about with cameras in hand photographing everything. Everything. I had heard from some people not to ask native New Yorkers for directions, esp in the subway. But you know what?  They were the nicest, most helpful people. These natives enabled us to ride the subway from the Canal Street Station to Chinatown and back without a single glitch.

My friend had asked me if we should go to the World Trade Center. And at that time, not knowing what massive changes were about to come, I said no. "No, it will always be there." Yeah, that is what I said. I will never forget that.

Especially just a few weeks later when my alarm went off at 6:30am PST. I thought it was just a prank. One of those stupid morning radio show pranks. Until the announcers didn't stop discussing this plane that went into the one tower. I jumped out of bed and turned on the TV in near perfect time to see the second plane hit.

No one will ever forget. Nor will I forget the strange sensation walking to work that morning and hearing nothing. No planes in the sky. No cars on the road. Everyone was glued to their TV or radio. No one was moving. They were certainly moved, but no one was capable of traveling. Both due to being stunned, as well as being locked into their current location.

I posted a bunch of photos on the brandMOJO Images Etsy page with the main goal being to celebrate what glorious time we had in NYC and to celebrate what makes this country so fabulous. I hope to sell at least one photo since I am dedicated to donating 10% of each NYC image sale to the New York Fire and Police Wives' and Children's Benefit Fund. It's the best way I can give back. And to share the snipits of time I captured before life in that city and this whole country changed.
I ♥ NY!