This morning I photographed a Sikh wedding in New Jersey. After which I worked on a contract for a shoot in Turks & Caicos in April and then headed out to SoHo to photograph a cocktail party. At the cocktail party I chatted with someone who currently works in finance, but has interests in becoming a chef. He’s trying to decide whether he wants to take that risk and pursue what he loves.

At 10:30 PM I walked to the West 4th street stop where there was a man who had brought an entire piano down to the train platform and was playing some of the most beautiful piano pieces I’ve heard. Now I’ve seen a great number of buskers down on the subway platforms– but he was far and away the best one I’ve ever seen. And I’ve never– not anywhere in the world– seen so many people pay an underground musician so much money. He had a 5 gallon bucket nearly filled to the brim with bills. He was spectacular.

I don’t know why I’m mentioning all of these relatively unrelated facts. But they all sat heavily with me today.

I guess I’m just humbled and grateful that I get to do what I love.  I’m glad that I live a life of paradox.  Three weeks ago I was traveling through the night from Santo Domingo to Port Au Prince in Haiti. Three weeks later I’m photographing seemingly polar opposite things in New York.  I feel fulfilled in both roles and am glad for the ways in which both areas of my life challenge the other.

I don’t have some profound ending to that series of thoughts– but it something I’m thinking about a lot lately.

Anyways…

I’ll stop rambling. But I do want to introduce some amazing people to you all. First of all, Native Son– an amazing line of men’s suits that showed at the start of fashion week on Friday. The entire show was so well done. Held at Pier 59, it featured just under a dozen models mounted on custom-designed crates, as well as a 3D video. I was quite impressed. The look of the suits, the styling, the video, and the modeling was so well-integrated. Loved the whole thing.

Second, J. Holden Designs. If you scroll down you’ll see his work. Jonathan is a friend of mine from Long Beach in town for fashion week. Had the honor of wearing a piece of his jewelry at the Native Son event. Great stuff.

Third, as someone who is obsessed with bags, I have to plug Temple Bags from McManus Studios. They are the bags that are featured in these photos.

(New) Also, check out Mosley Tribes amazing eyeball coverings here.

And last but not least, a blogger I met at the Native Son show, Ronen.

(Newly added) Here’s the video from the event: