drawn to water

Sandbar on Sand. Relics of Hurricane Sandy, Beach 116.

Feb. 1. 2014

It is no secret that I love the beach. I have also felt a real sense of 'photographers block' when it comes to shooting NYC for some time, unsure of where to point my camera and agonizing over shots that I feel like I have taken years prior. NYC is one of the most photographed cities in the world, and to stay relevant and unique, you have to approach NYC from an angle few other photographers have thought of.

This is where the beaches come in.

For the past two years, I have turned my focus to the beaches of NYC, particularly the Rockaways and Fort Tilden. My Drawn to Water series is a testament to how much I love the beach and ocean. I now go to the beach every month of the year. My documentation of Hurricane Sandy and Rockaways can be found in the Hurricane Sandy & The Rockaways section, which I will speak to in another blog post.

As an avid beach-goer and aspiring surfer, I have held a deep love for the Rockaways since I moved here. The beach has always held a democratizing quality to it, bringing sunbathers, surfers, and families from all walks of life to enjoy the sea and sun.  You forget that you are in NYC for a few hours, and marvel at the refreshing Atlantic waves lapping at your feet. I love catching the beach in all four seasons; Summer beach goers escaping the heat; Fall beach bums trying to soak in the last few days of climate-change induced heat; Winter beach goers taking in the salt air, crisp winds, and brave the cold waves for those of us who winter surf. I especially love catching a storm rolling onto the normally-packed beach, feeling the enormity of Mother Nature cracking thunder over my head, and capturing photos of the beloved angry waves, empty of their usual swimmers.

I could go on, but this list sums it up nicely: 17 Signs You’re Addicted to the Ocean.

Finally, I aim to include beaches from all over world in this section, but the majority of these are from the Rockaways. Beach bums of the world unite!