New York and St Petersburg: Facts and Pictures

Introduce yourself to the killer sights, hidden gems and off the beaten path of New York City. Our local photographer in NYC Daria Huxley shares with us some tips about the best places for iconic views, where to go if you’re first time in NYC and how to have a unique experience in the city. As a bonus, some insider’s view of St Petersburg, Russia as well! So enjoy New York and St Petersburg: Facts and Pictures.

Double exposure, Nevsky prospect, Saint Petersburg

Tell us a about yourself. What do you do? What’s your story?

Alright. My name is Daria Huxley, an adventurous and enthusiastic travel lover. I’m a photographer and graphic designer from Saint Petersburg, Russia, now living in New York City. I was born and raised in Saint Petersburg. In the course of my undergrad studies at GSOM I went to Lisbon, Portugal, for 6 months.

I have always been adventurous, but in Portugal I realized that I wanted to travel and explore as many different places as I can. So after spending my gap year partly working and partly traveling Europe and Asia, I went to Germany for my Master’s and then to Belgium, as my program is a double degree.

Now I’m in New York doing graphic design for a Swiss-based natural skincare company Weleda.

How long have you been a photographer?

I started taking it seriously during my last years of high school. My oldest archives date 2005 — 2006. I started taking pictures with my mom’s small digital camera when I was in high school. I liked doing that so I just kept on. Then my uncle gave me his old Canon 30D and I got immersed into the world of digital photography.

Quiet evening with a glass of wine on the roof in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Do you have any plans connected to photography?

I am currently working as a professional photographer and I am also a part of some projects in film and music. I have had a couple of shows here in NYC so far:

Modern Harmony Art show

December 1st, 2015

The joint art show with a painter Bodlar in an art space Ange Noir / Hell Phone in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Empire State Local Art Sale, part I

December 21-23, 2015

A pre-holiday art sale in the pop art gallery in Midtown of Manhattan, organized by Art Gallery Salazar & Burch.

Empire State Local Art Sale, part II

December 26-30, 2015

A pre-holiday art sale in the pop art gallery in Midtown of Manhattan, organized by Art Gallery Salazar & Burch.

Daria Huxley 303

March 3, 2016

Personal exhibition in HiFi (East Village, Manhattan) of best travel photography shot in 2010 – 2016. Large scale prints available for sale.

Street Art Show

March 23, 2016

The fundraiser art event organized by Set NYC with the purpose to fight homelessness in NYC. Place: Lovecraft art space in East Village, NYC

New York Fine Arts Show

April 20, 2016

The fundraiser art event organized by Set NYC with the purpose to fight homelessness in NYC. Place: Lovecraft art space in East Village, NYC

Spring People’s Choice Salon Show

April 29th, 2016

The art show / competition. Public votes for their favorite artist, the winner receives $200 and a solo show. Place: Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Annual Photography Show

May 6th, 2016

Best photographic works selected by gallery curator Shawn James. Place: Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn.

Spring Art Show

May 11th, 2016

The fundraiser art event organized by Set NYC with the purpose to fight homelessness in NYC. Place: Lovecraft art space in East Village, NYC

What have been your best photoshoots in NYC?

I love NYC architecture. I usually try to shoot at dusk, but because I work full-time and days in winter have been short, I haven’t taken pictures at all locations where I want. I have attached some sunset shots when NYC is at its most romantic state, the city of dreams. There are some shots showcasing NYC architecture (downtown Manhattan, financial district, midtown, Empire State Building and, my favorite, Flatiron).

Manhattan Bridge, Dumbo area, Brooklyn

What are best off the beaten path places for first time travelers in NYC?

Red Hook is a great hip area with lots of upcoming bars and places. Bushwick Collective murals are amazing and very impressive (around Jefferson st. stop, L train). Dumbo area in Brooklyn is great and romantic. Washington Heights is up and coming. Prospect park is a great natural area, with Brooklyn botanical gardens in bloom right now!

What are most scenic places in NYC to photograph in daytime, and at night?

I love Battery park, it has an amazing view on Jersey City, any rooftop bar in Hell’s kitchen / midtown, viewpoints and observation decks of WTC, Empire State Building, although you have to pay to get in (around $40). At nighttime my favorite area is Dumbo waterfront in Brooklyn. It is totally amazing.

What are 5-10 places you’d recommend for a 3-hour photo tour in NYC?

Start at 3pm in Bushwick to see Bushwick Collective Art Murals (they are quite amazing), then take a train to Dumbo and walk around the area, go up to Brooklyn bridge and cross East river. Head south to Battery Park. Then go to the World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial. Go on top of the WTC to get the panoramic view of the city at sunset.

Fall in the Catskills, NY

Why do you like your city? Be specific

I like New York because of the people who live here. There is a lot of diversity, optimism, people are very hardworking and professional. There are lots and lots of amazing, talented artists of any type: musicians, illustrators, painters, sculptors, filmmakers, photographers, comedians, etc. People are very open and positive. They are open for artistic collaboration and joint projects. It’s an environment to learn and grow. You can see most surreal things here and the city surprises you every day. Everybody is welcome here and I love it!

There are also a lot of free amazing events happening all the time. The city never sleeps. Free music concerts happen in Prospect Park in Brooklyn every summer, Central Park Summer Stage, where some of the world-known musicians and bands sometimes play for free. Tons of great comedy shows and festivals. Just look around!

What are hidden gems in your city that most people have no idea about?

The Metro North train ride along the Hudson!
“We Don’t Even Know” – a monthly Live Podcast recording in HiFi bar in East Village. Hosts

Shonali Bhowmik and Christian Felix invite some amazing comedians, musicians, writers and performers to their monthly show. It is great fun and a good laid-back place to meet some а the coolest people, sometimes celebrities stop by! And the admission is FREE!

Hometown BBQ in Red Hook is the best steakhouse in America! :)

Your favorite places in NYC and your hometown St Petersburg?

Saint Petersburg: Nevsky, historical center, Admiralteyskiy dist.

New York City: Lower East Side, Highline, Williamsburg / Bushwick, Dumbo.

Nevskiy prospect at dusk, view from the roof, Saint Petersburg

How can you describe St Petersburg and New York? What are the cities about?

For me, Saint Petersburg has a romantic, beautiful, slightly melancholic, slow and chill vibe.

New York is crazy dynamic, creative, work-oriented and fast-paced.

Both cities are great!

Vosstaniya square at dusk, view from the roof, Saint Petersburg

What are your favorite local cafes in St Petersburg and New York?

Stirka 40, BGL, City Grill Express, Rada & Co, Bake Fabrik, Warszawa, Small double, Soup Harcho in Saint Petersburg and Dear Bushwick, Clandestino, HiFi, Owl juice pub, GUACUCO, the Draft House, Cake Shop, Max Fish in New York.