scrapbook: apr'26
Recap of April and photos w/ the Contax T2.
Hey everyone—
April was the first real stretch of good weather in New York, which meant lots of shooting. I shot 21 rolls of film, which might be a new record for a single month.
The month was split between street photography, two client projects, and wrapping things up with a test shoot that was long overdue. It’s been a much-needed break from outreach/admin work and a reminder of how good it feels to spend more time outside making photos.
Anyways, here’s how the month went, along with some point-and-shoot moments.
Street Photography
The longer days are making it easier to stay out later, but I’ve actually been experimenting more with shooting at night. Chinatown and SoHo have been my go-to spots lately with all the neon lighting and reflections. It’s also quieter during the week. Everything feels a bit slower.
I mostly shot Portra 400 pushed +1 and tried a roll of Cinestill 800T, which I’ll definitely keep in rotation for night work. Hoping to get those scans back soon.
Right now, street photography feels very love-hate. If I shoot one roll of 35mm, I’m getting maybe 2–3 photos I actually like. It’s a super low hit rate, but maybe that’s the price of learning. Still, when something works, it makes all the effort worth it.
Client Work + Test Shoot
After a slow winter, it was good to have more work come through.
The main project was for a repeat client, The Mercer Hotel. It was our third time working together, which always makes things smoother. We had a tight four-hour window and a set shot list, capturing their newly renovated rooms. Biggest takeaway: having an assistant is a massive time and stress saver. Continuous light also made a huge difference, especially in darker hotel rooms. We mostly used it to bounce light for detail shots or help illuminate spaces with minimal window light, like bathrooms. I prefer continuous light compared to strobes when shooting on film
The other project was for La Cabra. This one was more documentary-focused, capturing the baking process and the café during a busy stretch. I shot handheld with no lighting, which is why I pushed Portra 400. I also shot a roll of 800T and am always impressed by the halation with indoor light. Haven’t shared these yet, but I will once they’re live.
I wrapped the month with a more organized test shoot involving a full team: model, hair, makeup, and styling. I connected with the stylist, Kingsley, earlier this year through a mutual friend. It was a super talented crew, and everything clicked pretty naturally.
We shot two looks in-studio with a simple one-light setup and the other two on location. I’ll share more from that soon.
Inspiration + CO Trip
I didn’t get through many films this month, but I did watch La Haine. The mix of tight and wide frames keeps it dynamic, and there are a few camera moves that really stand out. It’s worth it if you’re open to black and white and subtitles.
Also, I picked up a new photo book, Forever Saul Leiter. His use of color and atmosphere in NYC still feels ahead of its time and something I keep coming back to.
I did make it back to CO for a quick weekend trip to see family, which broke up the month nicely. Trips like this are always a helpful reset. To maybe not think about work or photography for a few days feels surprisingly productive.
A few point and shoot moments from April:
If you’ve been shooting lately, reply and send me what you’ve been working on.
—Kendall