Life Behind the Lens: New York City - A Birthday, A Graduation, and a Whole Lot of Memories

Some trips are about checking destinations off a list. This one was about celebrating milestones.

This summer, Ashley, Reese, our friend McKenzie, and I packed our bags and headed to New York City to celebrate Reese's 16th birthday and McKenzie's graduation. We stayed right in the middle of the action in Times Square and spent several days exploring one of the most incredible cities we've ever visited.

From multiple visits to Central Park to climbing all the way to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, every day brought something new. The views from Top of the Rock were unforgettable, and seeing the city stretch in every direction was a reminder of just how massive New York really is.

As a photographer, I was constantly inspired. Everywhere I looked there was another photograph waiting to happen. Street scenes, architecture, people, light, and energy were around every corner. If anything, my biggest challenge was knowing that there was no way to make every image I wanted before it was time to move on to the next adventure.

One thing we definitely weren't prepared for was just how good the food would be. From incredible meals at Gallagher's to exploring Chinatown and Little Italy, every stop seemed better than the last.

More than anything, this trip reminded me why I love both photography and travel. They have a way of slowing you down long enough to appreciate moments that would otherwise pass by unnoticed.

New York exceeded every expectation we had. The city was exciting, inspiring, and surprisingly welcoming. By the time it was over, none of us were ready to leave.

Here are a few of our favorite moments from the trip.