Landing in NYC for the Comedy Festival
Earlier this month, I traveled to New York City with my partner, Genesis, who was hosting her show Witty Titties at The Stand for the NYC Comedy Festival. We were performing in the main room — and to our surprise, it sold out.
It was the perfect room to shoot in: dark, intimate, and full of energy.
What made it even more surreal was watching Genesis step into a New York room and command it with the same confidence she has back home. Seeing her name lit up on the lineup and feeling the buzz of the crowd before the show reminded me that we’re both building something real — even if the path feels chaotic at times. NYC pushes you to level up, and walking into The Stand for our show felt like stepping into a new chapter together.
Networking, Open Bars, and an Unexpected Break
NYC during festival week is chaos in the best way — showcases everywhere, industry parties every night, and open bars that sneak up on you fast. At one of those mixers, I met Paul Costabile, whose work I’d seen around for years. We started talking, vibed instantly, and despite me being a little tipsy, he invited me to shoot his show the very next night.
One of those right-place-right-time moments.
The festival atmosphere creates a strange sense of possibility — like you’re one conversation away from something bigger. Everyone’s either hyped about their show, rushing to the next spot, or telling stories about the grind. It’s the kind of environment where you forget you’re tired and just say yes to everything. So when Paul and I hit it off, it didn’t feel forced; it felt like exactly the kind of spontaneous opportunity NYC is known for handing out at 1 a.m. over a free whiskey.
Shooting Paul’s Show
For Paul’s show, I brought out my real workhorse: the Sigma 85mm f/1.2 paired with my Sony A7IV + a Prizm FX starburst filter. That combo is my secret weapon — it lets me shoot in low light without losing sharpness, adds texture and character to stage lighting, and makes performers look cinematic straight out of camera. The room was packed, the lighting was dramatic, and the performers were dialed in. Everything aligned.
The next morning, I edited everything immediately and delivered fast. I even made a highlight reel because I was so inspired. His response made the whole trip worth it: He loved the photos, He loved the video, And he mentioned wanting to work together again in LA
It was a huge confidence boost.
What surprised me most came afterward, when I was culling the photos. Going through each frame, I found myself laughing out loud at moments I had already forgotten — punchlines that hit hard, reactions that landed unexpectedly, or little interactions happening just offstage. The camera freezes a split second, but my memory fills in everything around it: the setup, the payoff, the room’s energy right after the joke landed. It’s one of my favorite parts of the process. I get to relive the night in a way no one else can, and it always makes me smile seeing how those tiny captured moments add up to the full story of the show.
A Creative Spark I Didn’t Realize I Needed
I’ve been shooting comedy almost nonstop this past year, but financially it’s been tough. Sometimes it feels like I’m hustling without seeing real traction.
This shoot changed that feeling. It reminded me that the right person seeing your work can shift your direction overnight. I didn’t realize how much I needed that spark until it hit me. It also forced me to rethink how I value my own work. I’ve been operating in survival mode for a while, just trying to stay afloat while hoping the right opportunity would come along. But sometimes all it takes is one person — especially someone established — to see you clearly and say, “You’re damn good at what you do.” That kind of validation hits differently when you’re used to grinding quietly in the background.
Exploring NYC With My Camera
Once the festival chaos settled, my girlfriend and I finally had time to explore the city. For everything outside the shows, I carried my Sony 35mm f/1.8 — the perfect lens for wandering, framing scenes, and shooting quick portraits.
I took some long exposures too — learned quickly that I should’ve brought a tripod.
Next time: 2-second timer + tripod.
NYC pushes you to shoot differently. It forces your eye to stay sharp.
What I loved most about shooting in NYC was how effortlessly the city became a character in every frame. The way the light hits the buildings at sunset, the energy of people rushing past, the pockets of calm you find in unexpected places — it all pushes you to experiment. Shooting side by side with Genesis, trading ideas and moments, reminded me why I love photography outside of the professional world too. Some of my favorite photos from the entire trip were taken during those walks with no plan.
Walking Away With More Than Just Photos
This trip gave me:
A new high-profile connection
- A potential opportunity in LA
- New inspiration
- A portfolio full of work I’m proud of
- And a reminder that my talent does stand out
Sometimes progress isn’t a massive leap — it’s a moment of validation that says, “Keep going.”
I left New York with a different kind of momentum — not the “everything is fixed” kind, but the “I’m moving in the right direction” kind. The type that reminds you that consistency eventually meets opportunity if you just keep showing up. This trip didn’t solve everything, but it shifted my mindset in a way I really needed. Sometimes growth looks like a win you didn’t see coming.
If you’re looking for a photographer or videographer for comedy shows, live events, portraits, or promotional content in Los Angeles or New York, I’d love to help.
Feel free to reach out through my contact page.
