* * *
Touchdown
We made it to New York City
When I first stepped outside the plane, I knew that this concrete and skyscraper city was going to be like nothing I had ever experienced. The towering buildings I saw as we landed were massive, as they stood so much taller than the Statue of Liberty. When the Uber driver got us into the city, it was like night and day. We went from bright skies and light to a dim, towering city that shielded us from the sun's rays. It was awe-inspiring, at first, but then very quickly not as jaw-dropping after passing through a few blocks.
Just like you see in movies, cars were honking at one another and swerving all over the place, cutting each other off. Most of the people riding the bumpers of other cars and pulling out in front of people or running red-lights were the same cars that were honking. I remember gripping my leg and the door-handle at the same time, as our driver sped up, slowed down, and rode the bumper of the cars in front of us, right along with the rest of the crazy drivers. 'I'm gonna die,' I thought, as he swerved around a corner at full speed and my whole body shifted in the seat.
When we stepped out of the car and onto the sidewalk outside Romer Hell's Kitchen Neighborhood Hotel, I realized the ambiance and surroundings felt familiar while also thanking God that my feet were on the ground, safely. As I looked around the block, I finally understood that what I was remembering was Chicago. Chicago was seemingly massive when I visited twice as a young adult. I remember thinking it was awesome to be in such a big and bustling city. But I had no idea that New York felt similar. Where Chicago allows for sunlight to pass into the streets, though, New York (or rather upper Manhattan and Times Square District), do not. Everything is smushed into one block, in this area. Shops upon shops with apartments above them, and at least 20 businesses per block were all I could see from where I stood. The blocks themselves were half the size of a block in Downtown Memphis, and probably a quarter of the size of the blocks in Chicago. It was surreal for a moment, but it quickly became normal. I allowed myself to look all the way up, and then as far as I could see in all directions, before going inside to check into our hotel.
* * *
The Hotel
Romer Hell's Kitchen Neighborhood Hotel
The hotel was welcoming and had an old-world Hollywood glamour feel, with vintage touches and polished accents. It felt luxurious but also homey; not like I'd break something if I touched it.
Our room was comfortable and spacious, despite being right in the heart of the Time's Square Theatre District. We had two queen beds, perfect to house all four of us. We also had ample dresser and closet space, and a wonderful shower/tub combo, which made soaking after long days super relaxing. In front of the wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling window that showcased all of the downtown skyscrapers, we also had a nice table to work at, and a full-length mirror for getting picture ready. The tv had satellite channels and plenty of options for watching movies, if you had the time. It really was a pleasant room, and the staff kept it extremely clean.
Everyone was nice, welcoming, and super helpful when it came to questions about where to go, what to do, or what to eat. Our hotel even scheduled a shuttle for us to get to the airport at the end of our trip. There was also a piano bar attached to the hotel with an indoor and outdoor entrance. It was a great place to relax, have a bite to eat, and listen to some amazing music while we spent time outside the shows and weren't quite ready to turn in for the night.
But now to the part I'm sure you're waiting on...
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The Shows
Runway 7 - Art Hearts - The Bureau
New York Fashion Week was definitely not over-hyped. If anything, it probably wasn't hyped enough. Going in February made it more stressful, though, as the cold weather, snow and ice made standing outside in long lines unbearable, and the amount of people that showed for casting calls versus what was expected to be present, were way more than anticipated.
From a photographer standpoint, everything was like a well-oiled machine. They had specific places for us to be, lanyards that identified who we were and where we could go or places we could access, and certain areas each photographer could stand or sit for their best vantage point. Depending on what time you arrived for your call time, your spot would either be really great or you could be stuck in a pit or a balcony with a ton of other photographers just trying to get their shot. So, I always arrived early for my call time and most of the time, they would allow me in to get set up.
When the first show started I remember feeling so much warmth and pride in my cheeks, and I felt the tears streaming down from sheer happiness that I finally made it.
I finally made it to fashion week!
I've wanted the experience since high school and to finally realize that dream, it was speechless for me.
I was standing, relishing that moment as I shot the models on the runway, not even worrying about the tears. The guy next to me asked if I was okay, and I just laughed and said , "yeah! Don't worry about me, I'm just postpartum and emotional and living my dream!" Those around me laughed in response and we all had an amazing time getting the best angles and sharing space among one another.
Sometimes, though, at the elite productions like Runway 7 and Art Hearts, for example, you'll run into other photographers that are not interested in talking to you. They might be very confrontational, very into their work, or very competitive. I was lucky that I only encountered two people like this during my entire week, and I made it a mission to avoid them.
While on one hand I believe the photography industry is competitive, I also believe that choosing your battles wisely on that front matters. For example, if you are going to New York Fashion Week to network, gain followers, or to spread word of mouth about your brand and your work, then your goal should be to make as many friends as possible in all the right places, and to collaborate with those around you. Now, if your brand is already well-known, and you are not looking to network or gain a following, or to collaborate with designers and models and other photographers to build your community in New York, then I can see where staying to yourself or being more competitive about whom you speak to and whom you do not might benefit you.
Either way the cards fall, though, I do not believe that being catty, disrespectful, rude, conceited, or stonewalling anyone will benefit you or your brand. Word gets around in New York pretty quickly, and those who collaborate well on projects can go very far. Those who make a name for themselves in a bad light also get added to blacklists rather quickly and will find themselves excluded from productions or events. All I'm saying is choose your battles, but don't be disrespectful to anyone or start fights. It will get you thrown out, and refused for re-entry.
* * *
After The Shows
Runway 7 - Art Hearts - The Bureau
After each showtime at each production, (I shot Runway 7 at Sony Hall, Art Hearts at Angel Orensanz Foundation, and The Bureau at Chelsea Market), I made it a point to check in with the designers one-on-one. I exchanged my information with them, to be sure to get them their photos after I was finished editing their galleries. I also did the same with the models; as many of them as I could catch, that is. Some of the models left as soon as they got changed, and others liked to mingle.
I realized later, fashion week is extremely stressful for some models. The things they have to go through during casting, or the treatment that some of the casting designers and their fitting teams put them through are brutal. They can be casted, and then un-casted. They can be wanted and then rejected if the outfits don't look as desired once they arrive for their fittings. They can set aside time during the week and decline other shows or events to attend fittings after being casted, just to not walk for the designer and have lost out being at picked to walk for other designer collections because of the time they allocated to the designer that rejected them during fittings. Furthermore, if it's February, they also endure the cold standing in brutally long lines just to attend the castings or fittings before their call times.
All in all, the entire experience was one of the most amazing of my life, but I decided I will not return in February.
The cold weather made it hard to photograph some of the hottest spots I wanted to schedule sessions at, and the scenery wasn't what I really wanted it to be for New York City backdrops. I also packed fashionable outfits but they were never seen because everyone was bundled up in coats the entire time. Additionally, I'd rather save my vacation days and finances to plan for a bigger, better trip where I can experience nicer excursions, finer restaurants, and maximize my experience in the fall during September Fashion Week.
Therefore, I will continue to attend New York Fashion Week each year, but only in September and not the February season.