An Outsider Comes Home to FUJIKINA NYC
I’ve always felt a connection to professional photographers. I’ve spent time with them across the years through my career managing video production and leading creative teams. I’ve worked with numerous crews both in studio and on location. Sure, video and photography are different, but professionals often cross over as they work with the same tools today.
And though the videographers and DPs I’ve met were initially strangers, I quickly felt like I’d known them for years.
They were geeky, smart and collaborative, yet often introverted. They embodied an inclusive, fun energy that I always found appealing.
Not only did they bring my creative vision as a producer to life, they also happily brought me into their world of shiny cameras, lenses and lights. And that place always felt like home.
Yes, in another corner of the multiverse, I’m sure there’s a version of me who’s one of them.But in this universe, I’ve found myself locked in an orbit around them. And that’s a very good thing.
My Photography Hobby
Not surprisingly, on the home front, I’ve done a fair amount of dabbling in photography as a hobbyist over the years. Sure, we’re all photographers, especially with the amazing photo capture skills of smartphones.
But I’ve always felt the creative impulse to push my photos to do more. I wanted more control of what I created.
And though at the end of the day, it’s always about the skill you bring to the craft and the technical knowledge to use your equipment properly, I’ve often found myself continuing to search for the right camera for me.
I’ve recently come to the conclusion (much like so many others) that the best camera is the one you carry with you. And though smartphones win that prize, they can only take you so far.
Hello, Fujifilm
So, I started looking for an APS-C camera with a small footprint. And I came upon the Fujifilm X-mount camera line.
I had never owned a Fujifilm camera, but as I delved into my research and watched a number of YouTube videos, I liked what I saw. I liked how small the cameras were. I liked the more tactile design.
Also, this Fujifilm camera ecosystem felt… comfortable. (Maybe that’s the power of marketing, but I almost instantly felt a connection to this community of photographers.)
I looked more closely at Fujifilm’s X-T30 III. It’s a beginner-level model with a full auto mode switch to prevent early-use hyperventilation. But then, with the auto switch disengaged, you’ve got full control. It was the perfect next step for me.
So, I bought one (along with a Sigma f/2.8 18-50mm lens).
Serendipity
Then, as I registered my new Fujifilm camera online, I noticed an ad on the top of the page for FUJIFILM FUJIKINA NYC 2026.
Huh. What’s that?
It was Fujifilm’s photography festival in New York City… in just two days! Located at Manhattan’s Lower East Side, it featured photo exhibitions, workshops and a street fair filled with gear, focused for the Fujifilm community.
I looked at my calendar. Though my family life is busy, this Saturday was open. (And taking the train into Grand Central Terminal is never a big deal.)
Huh. I began to feel that this was something more than coincidence.
Still, I worried that FUJIKINA wasn’t really for me. I barely knew how to use my new X-T30 III (even in auto mode). I’m just a Fujifilm amateur.
But the other part of me intuitively knew that this community of photographers… was my community.
My professional self always knew this. But my personal brand needed a moment to catch up…
Click.
So, I bought my ticket and prepared for my day in The Big Apple… my hometown.
Finding Joy
Of course, I had a blast. I talked to a bunch of talented photographers… asked questions, listened a whole lot. And I also had a chance to do some facilitated street photography exploration and test shots.
Yes, I practiced my craft on the streets of New York, and I was exposed to creative techniques I had never considered.
Everyone was so nice and welcoming. The day simply flew by.
Yes, this was my community. I had come home.
And I wasn’t an outsider… I never was.
Shots from FUJIKINA 2026
Though my experiences and learning are certainly what mattered most, I also snapped a few decent shots along the way to document this impactful day.
More Frames Ahead
Thank you, Fujifilm for putting together this opportunity for me to find my creative community just around the corner (courtesy of Metro North).
It was a truly meaningful experience, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.
And now, as always, my creative journey continues.
