I moved to Portland several years ago and aside from a brief, year-long stint in California, I’ve really come to consider the Rose City my home. With that said, for as long as I’m breathing, I’ll still be a Brooklyn kid. I was born in Brooklyn and lived there through all of my formative years. New York City is every bit a part of me as it ever was, even if I do currently live approximately 3,000 miles away. So, you could imagine my delight when I received my preorder of NY Through The Lens, authored by my wonderfully talented friend, Vivienne Gucwa. If there ever was a book-form of chicken soup for my homesick heart, this would be it.

Now, you must be thinking, “Oh, another photo book on NYC… yay.” Please trust me when I say that you really need to put that thought out of your head because this book is brimming with such charm and personal zest for “the city,” that it really goes unrivaled as far as I’m concerned. What these two covers encase are 192 pages filled with such humanistic images and whimsical poetry and prose. It’s the sort of content that could only be captured by someone who lives and breathes and loves her surroundings in the way that Vivienne clearly does.

In addition to the wonderful quality of the book’s content, I was also truly impressed with the variety of camera hardware that Vivienne used throughout the book. Whether it was with her iPhone 4s, Sony NEX-6, or Sony A99, she managed to capture images that are both visually appealing and filled with emotion and a sense of place. In addition to the variety of camera hardware incorporated, Vivienne also complements her whimsical writing with equally dreamy post processing, giving the photos a timeless charm.

Through her narrative and photography, Vivienne’s book helps me escape back home every time I pick it up… and that is something that I do not take for granted. If you want an authentic account of what all the different boroughs and neighborhoods of New York City feels like, not looks like, then do yourselves a favor and pick up a copy of this book for yourself.

Click here to order your copy of NY Through The Lens

Click here to learn more about Vivienne and see a ton more of her work

All images were used with permission. Copyright Vivienne Gucwa

Disclaimer: I was not paid nor endorsed to write this review. I preordered and paid for this book in full. While Vivienne is a personal friend, I approached this review as objectively as possible. If there is any sort of bias, it is because of my affinity and personal attachment to New York City as my birthplace.