The New York We Knew- A Moment for Change

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple. ”

— Oscar Wilde

July 2020 is just around the corner. We've been through so much this year that I cannot even begin to describe it.
Businesses closing, masks, trying to get through to unemployment… welcome to “the new normal". In reality, nothing is normal.

Image: LA Times

However bleak our ever-crumbling system, I am constantly reminded of what our beautiful City looked like just one year ago.

There is a huge difference between experiencing New York in photos and in person. No matter how you look at it, New York City brings something to mind that few other cities have the ability to imitate.

A random memory flashed into my mind a week ago. A picture of me walking through Times Square one evening. The feeling of it remains unimpaired. I was surrounded by good company, great weather, and crowded but not too crowded. The feeling isn't foreign at all. Times Square was a frequent stop for me. My life is one of constant travel. Regardless of how much I enjoy being a New Yorker, I hope to always remain a visitor. With me, it's almost intentional. The tourists are completely glassy-eyed. Tourists try to take in every single moment presented to them. Of course, they are not here by accident! They planned to attend. They paid to attend. It is highly unlikely to come across a tourist who is wasting their time. I like that idea. Whenever I was in New York, whether working or playing, I wanted to make sure my time was spent intentionally.

What about this memory in particular? It was hard for me to remember precisely what day I was thinking of.
Suddenly, memory snapped back.

I was remembering a photoshoot in Times Square! It was a blast that particular day... The magic of New York was evident.

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The day was early summer and I had just got back from a filming session in L.A. for with MTV.

Having just returned to New York, I was ecstatic! We were going to end our photo shoot in Times Square. We were six photographers, our videographer, and me!

I wanted to share the fun of this moment with you. It is so unique to be able to relive moments with images. Thus, I set out on my mission today...

Inspired Theory, a NYC/NJ photographer, was on the shoot that day and I contacted him. I was able to work with his images after he sent me a zip-file! In most cases, photographers share their favorite "few" images. Then, they are released to the brands, models, and the associated team, and then to the press. Because we have the liberty to do whatever we want with these images, we have decided to release them.

In my group, we have a long-standing tradition of finding some sort of inanimate object to serve as the focal point of some of our images! Our object of choice on this particular day was a Cu008 Backhoe Loader. Taking a coffee break, the foreman was more than happy to oblige us in our pursuit of fun! I mean, why not? In this strange way, photographers are able to relive moments captured in cameras. Especially now, when the world is slowing and we are being asked to "stay home" and "stay safe", I find myself enjoying these images in a whole new way. How likely is it that we will ever be able to return to the New York we knew?

You are wherever you are right now. No matter where you are in the world. It is my wish for all of us that we will never stop dreaming, dancing, and reliving our fondest memories.
We have an opportunity to rise from the ashes. To learn about our differences and work towards a united future.

Take all these things to heart and prepare to rise.

With love,

Ashley M Lands

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Ashley M Lands

I am pleased to announce that Stuff Oui Love, founded by: Ashley M Lands, is now a full service marketing firm.
Please contact StuffouiLove@gmail.com for more information about product photography, marketing, graphic design, advertising, etc.
The graphics were designed in house by Ashley M Lands