playing catch up

Took these in High Park last summer before I left for New York. 11 months ago. This is how futile this blogging situation has become, but eventually everything will be up! Sometimes life just gets in the way of things- so much has happened since I took these photos.
In order of appearance: Alyona, Laura, and Masha.

underground

So tomorrow is my last day in NYC, and today I'm posting my first blog post of the summer. Oops. Time gets away from you sometimes. I was trying so hard to slip seamlessly into the New York lifestyle and I think it might have worked a little too well. It didn't take very long for me to feel like a real New Yorker, because it seems that most people here, or at least most of the people that I met, aren't from New York either. And once you feel accepted, you're no longer a tourist. So much so, apparently, that I blogged way less than I ever did back in Toronto or even at Duke. Apologies! I did Instagram a lot though so I'll be including some of those shots in my next blog post, after I finally get around to looking through my DSLR photos. No idea when that will be, seeing as the day after I get back to Toronto, I'm jetsetting off again to Venice. Tough life, right?

To get back into the blogging mood before that post, this is a series of photos I took for the final project of one of the Duke classes I took this summer. It was a research project about the New York subway system, and for the creative part, I made photos of the busiest stations in the city completely empty of people. I crouched awkwardly without a tripod in Times Square, Grand Central, Union Square, Penn Station, Herald Square for hours to make these composites. It's eerie right? I thought it would be interesting to explore because people don't really notice what subway stations really look like. They're just in-between places you go to go somewhere else.

lip love

And of course, the cover shoot I did for FORM! We weren't working under the most ideal conditions, and my eyes nearly gave out while post-processing, but I think they turned out quite nicely given what we had available. Enjoy! Don't know the next time I'll be able to do more editorial shots like these, but hopefully the opportunity will come again soon.
Models: Jenna Hymowitz and Khanya Morolo
MUA: Shannon Kalsow

natural beauty

The second shoot was a short sponsored beauty story for Burt's Bees.
Model: Emily Carey
MUA: Shannon Kalsow

equus

The first of my three shoots for FORM's summer issue. Modeled by Lexy Steinhilber.
Copies are available on Duke's campus now!

punta cana

On March 11, Brian and I arrived in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the start of the most relaxing vacation either of us have ever taken. Spring break this year was full of sun, naps, food, drinks, and sand. We stayed at a delightful all-inclusive resort that let us stop worrying and stressing for a full 5 days.





The beach had the softest white sand, clear turquoise water, and an abundance of European sunbathers.




The food and drinks totally surpassed my expectations. Huge buffets were set up for all 3 meals, in multiple locations across the grounds, and a few a la carte restaurants were available for dinner too. They even had my favourite Twinings English Breakfast tea!



There were of course, plenty of open bars as well. Many beachside mojitos (for me) and rum and cokes (for him) were had.









The days started to blend together after a while, but we didn't mind at all. Waking up to a big breakfast, heading to the beach, lazing around until mealtimes, and then snuggling into a comfy bed for an early night every day was not a bad routine to have.


PS: Wow, that was my 100th blog post! Thanks for following along, everyone!

pit stop

Before the actual 'vacation' part of our spring break this year, I found myself again in NYC with Brian, just for a day before our flight to Punta Cana. Started the day off right though, with a steamy bowl of ramen from Ippudo. We sat at the bar so could see the chefs hard at work.


With pork and egg and miso deliciousness


Tried and true favourite destinations for a stress-free, thinking-free day: SoHo again.



All roads lead to Chinatown? We somehow always find ourselves in Chinatown at the end of the day with a cup of bubble tea.


I think I just miss Chinese food and snacks. Food pretty much guides my life. Here we're picking up a bag of mini egg cakes (but I must say that the ones in Toronto are better. I like it when they come in a sheet so you can eat the crispy parts first!).





See you again soon New York! I'll be there all of this summer, and I'm really looking forward to making and sharing more photos of this beautiful city then!