Weekend Getaway: Sag Harbor

While looking for at destinations for a surprise trip for our parent’s anniversary, we looked at a lot of different options but decided to check out a summer destination in the middle of winter: Sag Harbor.

Just over 100 miles away from Manhattan, it turned out to be a great location for us to relax, wind down and celebrate their 34th anniversary. While things are definitely quiet for the off-season, it was a great way to experience the sights without any of the summer crowds.

As travel and tourism has soared thanks to social media, it most certainly is a breath of fresh air to travel to places that are quaint and charming – even for a few days.

New York City: An Aerial View

This Sunday, I had an opportunity to take some photos above New York City, thanks to repetitive retargeting ads from FlyNYON. I'd heard good reviews and after booking my sunset flight, I only had an hour to prep my gear and head to New Jersey.

The waiting process was fairly long and largely unproductive. However, after the brief safety video and the harness training, we were ready to head to the heliport.

With the temperature in the low 20s on the ground and extremely freezing in an open-door helicopter traveling 100mph and 2000ft above ground, it was brutally cold.

I had brought a 2 lens setup for my A7RIIIs: a wide-angle(16-35mm) and a telephoto(70-200mm).

While I managed to get a few decent photos, I'd love to do it again with the following learnings:

1. The telephoto lens was almost useless when you're in a fast moving helicopter that you aren't controlling. Wide-angle zooms are the way to go.

2. The light at sunset goes away VERY quickly.

3. The faster the lens - the better the quality.

Time Off to Ring in 2019

Happy New Year from somewhere over the Pacific!

For the first time in almost 3 years, I took time off by not responding to non-emergency emails, texts and phone-calls. And it was invigorating.

2018 has been a year of considerable change and as always, as an entrepreneur, it takes a significant toll.

For this year, we had 3 distinct itineraries for the end of the year: a wedding in India, a trip to Vietnam and diving in Thailand. And despite the 8 flights it took us to wrap up the year - it was absolutely worth it.

We live in such a connected world that in Vietnam and Thailand had incredible data connectivity nearly everywhere we visited including the shuttle bus from the hotel to the boat and even the incredibly affordable spas that we visited. India on the other hand was significantly worse and quite the opposite.

Despite being connected nearly 24/7, avoiding the temptation to constantly work paid off in dividends. I’ve never felt more relaxed and I’m looking forward to 2019 with a fresh pair of eyes and a clear head.

Re-shooting 35mm Film

My parents recently found the first camera I had owned – 21 years ago! And I couldn't wait to try it out using some Kodak B&W Film. 

While the results are definitely different, I'm in awe that a $20 point-and-shoot camera can still hold up!

Hudson River bike path

Oculus

Pearl Street diner

Freedom Tower

July 4th over New York

For as long as I've been a photographer, I've always been challenged by fireworks. This year, we got lucky with fewer crowds and some interesting angles. 

Fireworks over the East River.

Looking through to Long Island City.