Monday and Tuesday in NYC were busy but incredible days full of meetings. I know, right, meetings sounds so exciting. However, these were with some of the most phenomenal food photographers in the industry like Andrew Scrivani, Michael Harlan Turkell, and Eric Isaac. I got to talk shop with these guys, get in on more industry secrets, and put my name out there for networking. I've been traveling down a rabbit hole, from one photographer to the next throughout NYC and now RDU. It's comforting to know that I'm hopefully putting my foot in the door and something tells me I'm starting to do all the right things.

If there is any lesson I've forced myself to learn over the last few years is to just ask people to meet and start building your community. The worst that could happen is the word "no." Honestly, the word "no" is too measly to spend anytime worrying over. You pick yourself up, brush off your knees, let "Wipe Out" play in your brain (this was the song my parents would play when we fell over as kids), and move on to the next task on your list. But just like I tell my students, "People aren't mind readers. Don't be afraid to ask for help." And when you do that, absorb E V E R Y T H I N G you hear: portfolio tips, names, contact info, possible story leads, personal projects, how to own your style and your work, business tips, etc. etc. etc. People are genuine and very generous, especially in this community. Again, I can't thank these individuals enough for their time, respect, and invaluable knowledge they've bestowed on me.

P.S. This has been the best rabbit hole ever.

Monday morning started out with a meeting with Eric Isaac at Clinton Street Baking Company, home to arguably the most luscious pancakes in the world. I mean, chocolate chunk pancakes with warm maple butter, coffee, and a talk about food photography while people think we are weird for shooting our food...nothing beats that, y'all.

I then walked a couple blocks to meet with Andrew Scrivani and delve into his brain about food photography + video, contacts, and the business behind it. We have a lot of common acquaintances thanks to the good ol' alma mater (Go Heels!) and the New York Times. I was met with a warm cup of espresso, a great smile, and a colorful wall of food photography inspiration as we chatted the hour away.

After my meetings, I caught the L-train to Bedford, stalked the people of the subway, and went hat shopping with mom. We made our way back to the West Village for a late lunch at Lupa, another one of Penny's recommendation and a Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, and Josh Laurano restaurant. After sitting with the best spaghetti alla carbonara and red vino in my tummy, we watched all the evening chefs taste the nightly specials. I also highly suggest you grab food here if you go to NYC.

Monday evening, I got to meet up with another one of my dear college friends, Rachel Dennis. We got some drinks and sushi at Sixty Five, the bar at the top of the Rockefeller Plaza, at the suggestion of our good friend, Daniel Sircar, who, unfortunately, couldn't meet us. As we drank our fancy cocktails, we chatted about life, jobs, our significant others, and gawked at the New York skyline. It's just breathtaking, isn't it?

Tuesday morning's sun rose and the photo gods decided it was my day to go into B & H. It was a must as our hotel was only a block away and if I didn't go quick I'd lose all opportunity to Passover. If only I wasn't broke and could get all the photo things in the world...

Just after, I stopped in to soak in all the light and architecture from the New York City post office. Oh, how I wish I could send the post from this historic building.

After making those two important pit stops, the moms and I made our way to a diner for breakfast...and another photo of a bathroom. The tile was awesome and I matched it so naturally, one of the only bathroom selfies I've ever taken happened in this tiny place.

We made our way to Soho, stopped in a few shops like Melissa, which is a jelly shoe store and art gallery. It smelled like bubblegum + childhood. We then made a final stop to Dominique Ansel's in Soho to pick up some Kouing Amann pastries to take home to N. C.

With the DKA's in hand (I missed the cronuts and my L-train back to Williamsburg), I met up with the wonderful Michael Harlan Turkell at the Beaner Bar, Brooklyn's finest Mexican Euro-style cafe. Michael is a chef and photographer who hosts "The Food Seen," a radio show the people who love food, the art of food, and make artful food happen in all aspects of mediums. He generously gave me many photo tips, welcomed me into an awesome photographer community, introduced me to the lovely Liz Clayman as she jaunted down Graham Ave., and gave me many local contacts in RDU to chase down. He also let me taste the best chocolate chip cookie in the history of chocolate chip cookies. I can't thank him enough as some awesome career moves are starting to happen.

I am forever thankful for all the photographers, stylists, and industry creatives as they've helped create clarity and confidence within me. Here's to continuing the adventure and making life happen.

A plus side to this trip, is that my mom, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law (referred to 'The moms' and Tess in the rest of this post) flew up to have a photo + food-eating adventure with me. And yes, we all stayed in the same hotel room because thankfully, we all get along, which is such a blessing in many ways. We explored a lot of Soho, Noho, Nolita, the Village, Brooklyn (Williamsburg and just getting lost for hours), Times Square, and Ground Zero. Thankfully, these ladies put up with my bad directions for walking (no thanks to you, Google Maps), my need to constantly wander to people watch, juggling their days with my networking meetings, and listen to me ramble about all the awesome things. I also got to meet up with two of the loveliest ladies, Lauren + Rachel, to of course, eat, photograph, + catch up on life! New York, you rock. People of New York, you're amazing. Here's to flying up again real soon!

Of course, my nose directed us to the Leica Gallery on the first day we were in NYC. It was blazing hot in there (check out Mom's scarf solution below) but the exhibits (jazz musicians and music, I mean, what more could you want?) were so authentic. I snagged a solid couple of signed photo books for my collection and some exhibit posters and headed back out to the streets.

The moms and I made our way to a itty bitty eatery, Local, to grab a sandwich since we hadn't eaten since before the sun rose in N.C. It's a tiny, quaint + beautiful cafe with fair, local, and organic foods. We got sandwiches and salads while we watched locals come in for their 'regular' and interact with the extremely friendly staff. It's on Sullivan Street between Prince and W. Houston if you fancy, a coffee, tea, gluten-free treat, or just a quiet place to enjoy life.

We walked around Soho, Noho, Nolita, looking into shops, people watching, and gawking at some cool-looking restaurants as I made my way to Maman to see the ever-so-lovely LAUREN MCCAY! Maman is another little eatery fancying themselves on their southern French foods based on family recipes (their chef has a Michelin star from his restaurant in France...trust me when I say it's delicious).

We ordered some sweets (Maman oreo, chocolate chip cookie, and a salted caramel financier), tea, lavender hot coco, and of course proceeded to photograph everything before we touched anything. It's tradition when the two of us are together! There is so much to say about this awesome lady, but I'm going to leave it at this...she is sweet, adventurous, worldly, intelligent and I've missed her presence in Chapel Hill a lot--I couldn't get enough hugs from her!

The moms, Tess, and I later ended up at Cafeteria, a very lively and "electric" restaurant featuring your American favorites, like mac-n-cheese, with a modern twist. This was where we started photographing bathrooms because Cafeteria's was the coolest. I mean, neon signs and highly-reflective black subway tile...who can resist?

If I lived in NYC, I'd totally googlie-eye every poster in the subway. Although I'm pretty sure this was my face the whole time in the city.

Sunday started with a brisk walk to brunch at Buvette, a busy french cafe with light pouring in + the atmosphere of old world France. It was a chilly wait outside after the hostess took our name down on the door jam with chalk, but the warmth that followed was decadent. We ordered the steamed eggs on toast topped with prosciutto, a belgian waffle + warm croissants. To drink, cafe americano, cappucino, mimosas and ginger soda. I mean...there are no words for how simple but amazing this brunch was. I highly recommend it, but be prepared to wait unless you show up at 9 a.m. because it is just. so. good.

We continued our Sunday with a trip down to the 9/11 Memorial and the Freedom Tower. It was Palm Sunday, so family members brought palm leaf crosses to the site and parents were telling their young children about all the great things their grandparents did. I was almost in tears listening to one mom tell her daughter about that day.

After we walked around the WTC, we headed to the Brooklyn Bridge for a very windy walk. It was such a beautiful day and getting to see this stunning piece of American architecture was unbelievable. Our plan was to walk around Dumbo for a bit, but we were thirsty and tried to make our way to Williamsburg to a coffee shop I wanted to go to. Unfortunately, we never got to the park or Jane's Carousel, where we hoped to make a cool photo. Instead, we ended up getting lost because of some train we got on, which was closed, then put on a bus, which dropped us off somewhere in Brooklyn. Needless to say, we enjoyed our very thirsty walk through the Hasidic South Williamsburg neighborhood, which was like being in a different country. So cool. We ended up at the Brooklyn Roasting Company for coffee, water and homemade pop tarts...finally. I should've just dropped the moms off at the Graham Home for Old Ladies on Washington St.

After finally getting making our way back to Manhattan, we headed to Prune for dinner. This warmly-lit restaurant welcomed us with warm arms. Penny De Los Santos suggested this restaurant and told me what to order. "Trust me," she said. The food was "life changing," she said. Indeed, it was. Prune is truly an eclectic mesh of flavors and textures plated for people who love food + unique cocktails. So rich yet so light and flavorful beyond belief. Unbelievable food. And, topped with a bowl of chipped dark chocolate because...why not?

Such a lush meal of veggies, cheese, bread, duck wings and butter. Oh, the butter. And the sugar. Be sure to get a solid dessert before you leave and add a Pimm's Cup and an Italian Greyhound to boot!

Public Service Announcement: no chocolate went uneaten.

After Prune, we Ubered up to Time's Square because it's New York. It's magical at night, slightly less crowded, and the folks are quite interesting. Oh, and it would totally be a sin for Mom to miss out on the magic her first time to NYC!

While I was busy photographing a chair, laying on the ground of Times Square, the moms and Tess were gawking at the lights when they were literally attacked by the Olafs and Elmo. This photo is after they finally caught their breath and could force a smile. Although, Mom still looks slightly shocked. And poor Tess, scooped up by a creepy, hairy, red thing. These fuzzy mascots did give us a great laugh though!

It was definitely a Sunday Funday. And somehow, the moms and Tess survived the adventure! What are some things I should add to my next adventure in NYC?

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post with a little more exploring, a lot more meeting, and of course eating.