2021 Recap
2021. What a weird fuckin’ year—I certainly don’t need to tell you why. Even though it was another year full of uncertainty and strangeness, I had a great year. Priorities became clearer, friendships became stronger, we got to travel, we got to grow up a little more, and I think I started to take some of the best photos of my life this year.
January
The start of 2021 was lovely. Faustyna, Andres, and I got a car from our friends at RealCar to shoot and we took it up to Dia Beacon, what I believe may be the best museum in all of New York. The sheer size of this place is an artwork itself; housed in an old Nabisco factory, it is home to some of the largest and coolest works from Sol Lewitt, Dan Flavin, Richard Serra, and more. On this particular day, they also had an amazing sound and light installation in the basement by DJ Carl Craig—a leading figure of Detroit techno.
The following day, Andres and I took the car out to finish the photo shoot, and Andres starred in his first ever car commercial.
February
It snowed. A lot. Too much for my liking but we got out of the house a few times to explore and see Prospect Park buried in ice.
March
We went upstate with our friends Ashley and Phil and rented this little cabin by Hunter Mountain. We made pasta by hand, hiked on what might be the coldest day I’ve felt in a long time, drank plenty of wine, beer, and whiskey. One of us still has a bruise from sledding in the backyard at 1 am (it’s Faust).
You can see our little cabin here, only surrounded by trees and snow. A great escape from a pandemic that was picking up again.
It was so cold you can see that the waterfall was even frozen.
After hiking the ice and snow, we huddled around a fire at West Kill Brewery up the street. We were thrilled to discover the Porsche had heated seats for everyone to thaw out on.
P.S. There are many “Kills” in upstate New York. A “Kill” is a body of water, most commonly a creek.
April
In April I went to Florida to see my family for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. It was a much needed trip and some much needed sunshine.
May
We spent a lot of time outside in May as it got warmer and warmer. I also went on my longest bike ride to date to Flushing Meadows. It was my first time seeing The Unisphere which was designed for the 1964 Worlds Fair.
June
We will keep June short and sweet. We FINALLY got the whiskey club back together in person and it was one of the best nights of 2021. Good whiskey, great people, lots of laughs.
I started learning more about time lapse photography. More of this to come but I have so much to learn here..
And we moved in June! Still in Brooklyn, just a different apartment. This was our first place together. We grew here, we planned a wedding here, we worked from home, side by side, together here. We made amazing things and memories here. #BergenUniversity
July
July was our busiest month, for sure.
It started by going back upstate, this time with our dear friends Logan and Nina for a quick weekend escape for some hikin’, readin’, grillin’, and card playin’.
We heard of this place called Thompson’s Cider Mill so we took a drive up there to check it out. The owner, with his two very energetic dogs, gave us a tour of the place. He taught us how he makes his cider, how he came to acquire said cider farm, and let us try a whole range of his delicious ciders.
The owner said he had an aerial photo of the property from the 1970’s. I had my drone with me so I asked him if he wanted an updated one. Again, drones are a good idea.
We spent the rest of the trip forgetting about work, the stress of the city, and any other responsibilities. Logan and Faust made us a delicious dinner over the fire while Nina and I soaked up the sun and the wine.
Later in the month we went to the Oregon Coast. Our friend Andres came with us and my sister (who is also an amazing wedding photographer) and brother-in-law met us out there too. This trip legitimately blew my mind. Everywhere you look in Oregon is an amazing view. The air is fresh and crisp like an apple off the tree, the coasts are violent and picturesque, and the beer is refreshing. Oregon may have won this year for most awe-inspiring place in my opinion.
We will start with drone photos as it’s clear by now, I’m obsessed with my drone.
The views, the endless fog, the absolute crushing chill of the coastal winds, I can’t recommend traveling here enough.
It was also our two year anniversary on this trip. They say 2 years of marriage in a pandemic is equal to 20 years, so cheers to you, Faust!
PNW travel crew.
This film captures, as best we could, the feeling out there. Great memories.
The Euro Cup was also in July. A real nail-biter of a final.
August, September, and October
I don’t have a lot of photos from these months. It was summer, so we spent all of our time outside, seeing friends, and exploring a new neighborhood.
We took a ferry to Rockaway Beach. Easily the best way to get there.
My bff got married.
We had a boys’ brewery day.
I left agency life to go in-house this year. My last week at the agency lined up with the summer party, so naturally I dressed in all black and called it my funeral.
I went to Austin to see some old friends and relax between jobs.
And I saw Nathaniel Rateliff play an intimate show in Brooklyn. I was accidentally 1.5 hours early for the show but was able to take this photo of him warming up. One of my favorite photos from the year.
November
Our friends Ashley and Phil (the same ones from the March section) got married in New Orleans. It was my first time in New Orleans and Faust was ecstatic to show me around. It didn’t disappoint—I missed southern food so much, the cocktails were world class, and the wedding had a second line band take us a to a bar. I see why people love it here. It’s stuck in time in the best ways.
In November I got back to doing more street photography too. I love walking around New York without somewhere to be. Everyone here has somewhere to be or is running late. I’m just looking for cars and interesting people. It’s a great break from trying to catch a train or rush to your next engagement.
I restored an old lighter I found at an antique shop. As much as I love design, photography, and technology, there is no better feeling than fixing something with your hands. This might be weird to include in a year end recap but I really love this lighter.
November also gave me two of my favorite images I’ve shot of the skyline. I am now working on a new project around these two images.
December
We had big plans for December. Until…
But we are all good! We are both healthy, happy, and stronger for it now. And I still had time for some street photos and long walks with friends.
And you already know, we had a lot of fun with our spirits this year.
We are so grateful for this year and what we were still able to do in the midst of everything.
Our view for 2022 is optimistic and hopeful. We know everyone has had a hell of a few years so if any of you want to talk, vent, go for a walk, grab a beer, or just need a hug, Faust and I are here for you <3
We love you.
Happy New Year.