NEW YORK CITY GUIDE THRU A PHOTOGRAPHER'S LENS WITH ASHLEY GALLERANI
Join photographer Ashley Gallerani on a tour of New York City's inspiring hotspots, from Soho to Tribeca. Ashley dishes on the best restaurants, hangouts, and photo opportunities around NYC.
WHERE DO YOU GO TO GET INSPIRED?
I like to wander around downtown and observe people and architecture to get inspired. I also go to the piers along the Hudson River to clear my mind and think about creative projects I'm working on.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN NEW YORK?
1 year and 8 months
WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE DAYTIME HANGOUTS?
I love spending time in Nolita, Soho, and the West Village during the day.
WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE NIGHT TIME HANGOUTS?
The East Village and Lower East side are fun places to hang out at night.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS?
The Dubliner, Burger and Barrel, Socarat, Taim, Dom Bogami, Topaz, Malatesta, The Dutch... and SO many more. I have eaten my way through the city!
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MUSEUMS, MUSIC, OR THEATER VENUES?
The Met has always been my favorite museum. I will never get tired of going! I also enjoy going to the galleries in Chelsea.
WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO GO ON A DATE?
Any of the bars in the East Village! Solas, St.Dymphna's, and BUA are a few of my favorites.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO GO SHOPPING?
Soho
WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO EXERCISE?
I love taking kickboxing classes! I also enjoy all of the free outdoor yoga classes in the parks and on the piers in the summer.
WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES IN YOUR CITY TO TAKE PHOTOS OUTSIDE?
Anywhere in Nolita, Soho, the West Village, Tribeca, and DUMBO. The street art is always changing in Nolita and Soho, which makes really interesting backgrounds for the subject. I enjoy the character of the West Village, and Tribeca works well for street shots. DUMBO is a great place in and of itself, and it also offers amazing views of the Manhattan skyline, and of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges.
WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES IN YOUR CITY TO TAKE PHOTOS INSIDE?
I enjoy shooting inside Brookfield place because of all the natural light. Grand Central is a classic and is always beautiful.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL SPOT TO BUY PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR?
B&H is by far the best! Everyone who works there is very helpful and knowledgeable, and they also have a great 'Used' section for buying gear that is in almost perfect condition.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO NETWORK WITH PEOPLE IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
I've found that going to different photography exhibits that pop up around the city is a great way to connect with people in the industry. Talking to people in B&H and picking up gigs on Craigslist have also been ways that have allowed me to network!
WHAT ARE THE MUST-SEE PARTS OF YOUR CITY?
All of it. But, I am biased because I love living here!
ANY OTHER HIGHLIGHTS YOU WANT TO MENTION?
The Belvedere Castle in Central Park and Pier I are beautiful and they are my favorite places to relax in the city!
OCCUPATION
Freelance Fabric Assistant and Freelance Photographer
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR OCCUPATION?
I studied Fashion and Photography in school, which led me to these occupations.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR LATEST PROJECTS?
I am currently working on a project called HelloWorldImHere, where I am inspiring people to pay attention to where they are and what they see! In particular, I am drawing attention to architectural details that people usually overlook while they are caught up trying to get to wherever they have to be.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Michigan
WHAT'S YOUR SIGN?
Taurus
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
Ice cream
WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE?
Hip hop, rap, edm, melodic house
FAVORITE STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
Street photography
WHAT CAMERA DO YOU USE?
Canon
TOP 3 FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHERS?
Scott Schuman, Brandon Stanton, and Patrick Demarchelier
TOP 3 FAVORITE TV SHOWS?
Seinfeld, Sex and the City, and Scrubs
TOP 3 FAVORITE MOVIES?
Miss Congeniality, 500 Days of Summer, and Inherent Vice
TOP 3 FAVORITE WEBSITES?
Silence Is Accurate, Timeout New York, and Humans of New York
WHERE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE YOU'VE EVER BEEN?
Monaco
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL NEXT?
Machu Picchu, Peru
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING THAT MADE YOU SMILE?
Editing photos
TELL US SOMETHING EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT YOU?
I am always smiling and laughing!
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
Photography, going to art museums and galleries, and exploring New York
LIFE MOTTO?
"The important thing is to create. Nothing else matters; creation is all." -Pablo Picasso
FAVORITE CHARITIES?
Charity Water
YOUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES?
@ashleygalleraniphotography
@_HelloWorldImHere