I love living in New York. I moved here the day before my 22nd birthday, a few months after Taylor Swift released her smash hit “Welcome to New York.” When you find your stride in New York, you feel truly on top of the world. And if you’re somebody who once lived in New York and has since moved away, you know just how special a visit back to the Big Apple can be. Visiting all your old haunts, seeing what new coffee shops have popped up, picking up your old bagel order, and feeling the familiar sway of the subway.

When Ting + ZJ booked their trip back to New York, the city where their friendship turned to romance, they understandably wanted to cherish every memory. As we weaved between familiar streets, hopping in and out of places and laughing about flashbacks to the days before they moved away, one line remained on loop in my head: “To be young and in love in New York City.” Lauv sang it perfectly :’)

This session was jam-packed with everything that ZJ and Ting love about each other: their romance, the city where their love flourished, and the feeling of home they have in each other. We jumped from place to place, shooting on both digital and film in the bustling heart of New York City. From Brooklyn to Manhattan, on the subway and running through Central Park, amidst the chaos and charm, we experienced it all. Their love story, spanning continents and time zones, led them back to the city with cherished memories. This is the story of their adventurous day, a celebration of love in its purest form – a blend of dating and friendship, captured through the lens of nostalgia and romance.

Under the Brooklyn Bridge, they stood, framed by the city’s iconic skyline. ZJ and Ting shared stolen glances, enjoying every second with each other in this special city. Brooklyn Bridge is one of my favorite spots to capture love! It just feels straight out of a movie to shoot here.

Embracing the City’s Buzz

From there, we ventured to the lively West 4th Street subway station, embracing the youthful energy that surrounded them. Beneath the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, Ting and ZJ soaked in the vibrant rhythm of the city. The familiar sway of the subway brought them comfort, reminding them of the beauty in life’s simple moments.

Chasing Sunsets in the West Village

As the sun began its descent in the enchanting West Village, I couldn’t help but adore the golden hues of the sunset bathing the streets, casting a romantic glow on ZJ and Ting’s faces. With my 35mm Kodak Portra 400 film camera, I snapped candid moments that spoke volumes about their love for each other.

Taylor Swift was so right when she said “I once believed love would be burning red, but it’s GOLDEN.” 😉 We chased the sunset through the city from that moment on.

99 Cent Pizza Slice

To relive their cherished memories, an absolute MUST was snagging the iconic 99 cent pizza slices, so of course we each got one!

Sunset at Central Park

As the day turned into night, Ting and ZJ were back together in Central Park, the place where their journey had begun. They walked into the darkness, hand in hand, their hearts filled with the warmth of love and the promise of a beautiful future together. I literally love this love story so much!

In every digital and film photograph, I captured the essence of their relationship: a celebration of love in its most natural form. This session immortalized their love story, preserving the magic of their special day in the heart of New York City, and I couldn’t be more in love with how it all came to life!

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