As a photographer, I often find myself traveling to new and exciting places, searching for that perfect shot. And this past weekend, I found myself in none other than New York City - the Big Apple. My goal was simple: to capture the essence of the city in my photos, and perhaps learn a thing or two along the way.

Leica Q2, Summilux 28/1.7 ASPH, 1/2000sec., f1.7, ISO 800, ND filter 1.6, EF-X20 full power fill-in

With my trusty Leica Q2 and FujiFilm EF-X20 flash in hand, I hit the streets, walking over 50 miles in three days. I snapped photos of everything that caught my eye - from strangers on the street to famous landmarks. But it was a group of older folks fishing in Coney Island that really caught my attention.

I had passed them once before, snapping a few unexciting photos as I went. But on my way back, they were still there, fishing away. I stopped to observe them from a distance, taking in the scene before me. The sun was bright, so I put a ND 1.6 filter on my lens to allow for a wide open aperture and the ability to sync with my flash.

As I took photos, I approached the group and attempted to strike up a conversation. But to my surprise, they didn’t speak English. Undeterred, I showed them my camera and asked if I could take a photo of them. The older gentleman smiled and straightened up, posing seriously for the shot.

And that’s how I got my favorite photo of the trip - a portrait of an older gentleman who reminded me that for some people, getting photographed is still a big deal. It was a humbling experience, and a reminder to never take my passion for granted.

I hope this little story has inspired you to get out there and take some photos of your own. And who knows, maybe you’ll come across a group of friendly fishermen who remind you of the power of a single photograph.