No other city comes close to dethroning New York as the world’s cultural capital. Close to nine million people live in the city – more than a third of whom are foreign-born — and as many as 800 languages are spoken by its residents. This is the definition of a melting pot, a true convergence of cultures within its 300 square miles. Being home to so many, life can mean a multitude of things to its people, which in turn means that commercial and editorial messages can embody a thousand distinct flavors to suit various audiences. For your ease and convenience, though, we’ve found eight of the best lifestyle photographers in NYC, offering the most in terms of visual versatility for your upcoming campaign. Take a look at them below, and if needed, you can always browse through more photographers using our directory.
At Wonderful Machine, lifestyle photography depicts an idealized, aspirational version of real life, often intended to promote a product or service, but can also be used editorially. Armed with their unique visual identities, we’re confident that any of these photographers will appeal to your creative requirements.
Originally from New Zealand, Emily Andrews is a lifestyle photographer in NYC with plenty of experience in both commercial and editorial spaces. Her images find a harmonious balance between light and color, having just enough of either to prevent overpowering the composition, even in the peak of summer. This ethos of perfect moderation makes her subjects appear genuine and authentic in their activities, whether it’s a morning in bed with your significant other or a laidback work meeting outdoors. In addition to lifestyle imagery, she also focuses intensively on portrait and interior photography.
Emily’s client list includes The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Con Edison, Ritz Carlton Reserve, Squarespace, Qantas, Wall Street Journal Magazine, The New York Times, Financial Times, Dwell, Architectural Digest, and more.
First and foremost, Evan Joseph is an interior and architectural photographer. He is one of the most recognized faces in these genres, producing iconic imagery of New York City landmarks like the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and Hudson Yards. You could say he’s an unofficial ambassador of New York, promoting the Big Apple to the world through his widely distributed photography books, exclusive exhibition features, and limited-edition art prints.
Additionally, Evan has a distinct approach to one of his secondary specialties, earning himself a spot on our list of lifestyle photographers in NYC. His lifestyle photos match the luxury and majesty of his architecture and interior portfolio, representing the subculture of NYC’s most prosperous individuals. From shopping sprees to trips aboard private jets, Evan captures a slice of life that people the world over desire.
With 20 years in the business and most of his clients occupying the travel and hospitality industries, Antonio Cuellar is among the lifestyle photographers in NYC focused on luxury living. With all those years of experience, he has become more technically and artistically versatile than his peers, furnishing content via photos, video, and drone footage, while presenting lifestyle imagery connected to food and beverage, architecture, and interior photography. His excellence in the field has led to panelist opportunities with photo equipment manufacturers and guest judge positions on travel and hospitality-based TV shows. To be precise, Antonio is an influential presence within his specialties.
Antonio’s client list includes Qatar Airways, JW Marriott, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt, Estee Lauder, Cartier, Harrods, Mandarin Oriental, Luxe Hotels, and more.
Despite attending UCLA for aerospace engineering studies, Julian Walter’s career trajectory didn’t take him to NASA. He bought his first camera during college, which set in motion a love of photography that continued after graduation. After booking his first gig on the west coast of France, Julian just kept rolling. Today, he covers commercial and editorial projects centered mainly on travel and social documentary.
Thanks to his work in those specialties, he brings a refreshing angle to his lifestyle photography. Having spent plenty of time on the road finding picture-perfect unscripted moments, Julian elevates the most routine experiences to aspirational heights. His subjects could be working from home twenty floors above the ground with a view of NYC’s skyscrapers, or lounging on white, sandy beaches in a distant land. Still, they treat these routine experiences as luxuries, finding an abundance of joy in the simple ways of life.
Mark Weinberg is a lifestyle photographer in NYC holding a special place on our list by killing two birds with one stone, or two specialties with one camera. More often than not, his lifestyle portfolio also casts a spotlight on his interior photography, as he follows people’s lives in relation to their surroundings, typically set at home. It’s where we spend the most time, and Mark reveals the connection between the two: how our places of abode can be an extension of our character and personality. The love and care a parent shows to their kids can be reflected in the neat and orderly arrangement of the household. And the spontaneity of a couple may be evident as they enjoy breakfast in bed, with pillows and blankets tossed all over. It’s a beautiful approach to lifestyle photography, narrating stories of heart and warmth.
Mark’s clients include West Elm, Target, The New York Times, NY Times Cooking, Johnson & Johnson, UncommonGoods, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Whole Foods Market, Conrad Hotel by Hilton, Shopify, Cadillac, and more.
While his food and still life photography exude a bold and graphic aesthetic, Aaron Kyle Barton’s lifestyle imagery takes a more subdued direction, but one that still emphasizes positivity.
I want to make the model look like they are having the best day they’ve ever had.
And it shows. Through a rich contrast of colors, Aaron’s subjects come equipped with a smile, usually set against the backdrop of the great outdoors. As they paddleboard across the still waters of a lake or traverse a verdant hiking trail, there’s a sense of awe at the natural splendor around them. His subjects are definitely having the best day they’ve ever had. Separately, his portfolio also features indoor lifestyle images, particularly within the culinary landscape, showing food being prepared and cooked.
Aaron’s client list includes Moosejaw Mountaineering, Ooze, Bon Bon Bon, Hour Magazine, Toast Birmingham, Quicken Loans, Cannatron, Ann Arbor SPARK, Detroit Public Lighting Authority, Vinology, Live Nation, ESQUE Records, BBDO, and more.
Evi Abeler is a New York photographer specializing in the food and drink, still life, and lifestyle specialties. Like Lauren Volo, her portfolio illustrates food and drink as a fireplace to which people come for warmth, while expanding her scope to include more health and well-being settings. Spa days, workouts, and the R&R we find from a lazy Sunday in bed receive equal attention from Evi, as she largely opts for bright and sunny compositions to radiate positivity.
Evi’s client list includes Whole Foods, Barilla, General Mills, Marriott Hotel & Resorts, Tyson, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Ogilvy, Food Network, Food & Wine, GQ, Harper Collins, Women’s Health, and more.
While we’re on the topic of things that foster community, we can’t ignore sports. It’s a dominant aspect of our lives, as we catch games on the weekend and dissect the results through podcasts and YouTube videos during the week. Playing and following sports is a way of life, and Nick Kova documents this culture through his lifestyle portfolio. It’s most evident in his work for Fanatics and FansEdge, as kids and adults don their sports team’s merchandise with pride and gusto, rallying at the stadium or in front of the TV. Nick also happens to be a lifestyle photographer in NYC who works in both stills and motion, giving you an additional option in terms of content.
Nick’s client list includes Google, Facebook, Tesla, Apple, Mastercard, Wild Turkey, Ariat International, Brawny, and more.
Lifestyle images can be employed in the marketing of products and services across a multitude of industries. They go beyond the functional benefits of a commercial offering to highlight the intangible rewards people can experience, accomplished by connecting an item to a more aspirational version of living. These lifestyle photographers can furnish your upcoming campaign with this quality and appeal, creating the most desirable perceptions in your target audience’s minds.
Further Reading
See more lifestyle photographers in NYC on our Find Photographers page.
Learn more about other types of photography on our Specialties page.
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