Long before Tamara and I met in 2018, my solo journeys from 2012 to 2017 laid the foundation for a lifetime of exploration. As a defining chapter of the "Behind the Lens: The Solo Years" archives, exploring New York was all about framing the raw energy of the USA through the lens. This early coast-to-coast adventure—spanning from the Golden Gate to the Neon Strip—proved that spending money on a flight always outweighs fleeting luxuries. The concrete jungle of New York offered an electric contrast, providing the ultimate architectural canvas for early travel photography.

Highlights from the American Archives

• Empire States and Golden Gates: Documenting America's most cinematic landscapes during these vintage solo travels. The towering skyscrapers and grid-like streets of Manhattan provided a striking sense of monumental scale.

• The Concrete Jungle and the Desert Sun: Capturing the electric contrast of iconic American cities. From the frantic, relentless pace of New York to the eventual contrast of the Nevada desert, the city served as the perfect high-energy starting point.

• Neon & Nostalgia: Roaming the avenues to find classic, vintage frames across the boroughs, cementing a passion for producing high-quality media that tells a story.

• Where the Vision Began: Navigating the city solo shaped a lifelong passion for documenting the world, laying the groundwork for the cinematic style that defines our shared adventures today.