I’m in a New York state of mind or, at least, I was a few weeks ago when I was actually in New York. New York City is one of my favorite places to explore, not the least because I have a son who lives in Brooklyn and works in Manhattan (Hi Nate!), but also because it’s…New York!

This woman fascinated me.  So stylish.  I wondered where she was going? — This woman fascinated me. So stylish. I wondered where she was going?

I was 40-something the first time I got there. It was February, and I have never been so cold in my life. Utah gets cold, but it’s dry cold so it’s not as brutal. New York cold is brutal. But I fell in love. It really is the city that never sleeps, and I couldn’t believe the hoards of people out and about in the early hours of the morning as if was normal to be hanging outside on a brutally cold February night, which apparently it is. I actually felt much safer walking the streets late at night there than I would in my relatively safe neighborhood in Salt Lake City. And, I loved it.

Since then, I have gone back many times, and more so after my son moved there more than 10 years ago. I’ve seen all the usual sites—Central Park, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times’ Square (I LOVE Broadway!) Grand Central Station (that I never get tired of seeing. Their food court alone is inspiring, not to mention the people rushing here and there or just hanging around. It’s a photographer’s dream). Lately, I’ve been going there to take advantage of the photography workshops that are constantly offered, which is why I went this last time.

Normally, I am a landscape/travel photographer. This street photography workshop changed my focus, at least for a while, because now I am in love with street photography. It combines many of my passions: travel, interesting people and hours wandering around a city with no particular goal in mind other than wandering and photographing interesting people in interesting places. Here are a few of my favorite shots. It was a rainy day, at times a torrential downpour and so extreme that we were getting flash flood warnings on our smart phones, but the drizzle offered us an incredibly steamy and moody backdrop for our photographs. It was pretty cool.

I hope you enjoy these pictures from my last trip to New York. What do you see?

These two employees obviously know each other, and also made me wonder if there isn't a little bit of a crush going on.

Grand Central Station is gorgeous with its marble, chandeliers and beautiful architecture.  The best place to people watch too! — Grand Central Station is gorgeous with its marble, chandeliers and beautiful architecture. The best place to people watch too!

New York street savvy kids.  I followed these kids for a while (feeling a little like a stalker) and couldn't believe my luck when they stopped in front of this street mural.  I was also amused by the name of the shop--Parole?  So fit… — New York street savvy kids. I followed these kids for a while (feeling a little like a stalker) and couldn't believe my luck when they stopped in front of this street mural. I was also amused by the name of the shop--Parole? So fitting!

No words needed to describe this.  Who isn't immediately interested in these two people?  This shot was taken just a few blocks from my hotel. — No words needed to describe this. Who isn't immediately interested in these two people? This shot was taken just a few blocks from my hotel.

XOXO

Carolyn Storey

Photographer. Storyteller. Traveller.

I'm in a New York State of Mind | CAROL

XOXO

Carolyn Storey