The day I’ll never forget 911, I was there photographing I was on my way into the city on the path train I was working in So Ho at the time I was taking the path train into the world trade center my train got delayed because the first plane hit I watched one of the World Trade Center‘s on fire the train still went to the city but to pen station midtown 34th St. I knew I had to get down there to photograph I had one little camera with me with film I had to get to my Store and grab a big camera with a case of film I flagged a cab down jumped in, there were hundreds of people coming the opposite way away from downtown almost like a Godzilla movie the cab driver only could make it to Washington Square, Park too much traffic I jogged the next 20 blocks to get to my equipment at the store by time I got to Prince and Broadway there were hundreds of people with dust all over them some people were crying I got up to the top of my building on the 30th floor and shot about five rolls of film then I went down by the World Trade Center the smoke and dust was terrible now that I think about it if my train would’ve got me to the World Trade Center on time I would’ve been one of those photographers taking pictures right under the World Trade Center and it would’ve fell on me I’ve been close to death before but this time made me think I thanked God for about a month the bizarre thing when the guy let me out at Washington Square, Park I saw the first building collapse right in front of my eyes it was like I was hallucinating I was there all day during 911 and 912 I had a bunch of buddies train buddies that worked in the World Trade Center that took the train with me into Manhattan when I came back Home to Cranford New Jersey three of their cars were there for about a week never saw them again this photo right here was a guy riding a bicycle with American flag in his Back pack I slapped him five

In 1949 great uncle Sal worked for the world of mirth a bizarre traveling carnival they also put out this wild magazine explaining what goes on behind the scenes in the Carnival Business Sal took all the photos and wrote most of the stories the burlesque girls midgets and psycho clowns, They even provided him with a mask an photo studio, The other magazine Mentertainment was pretty much the same size the same amount of photos what’s fascinating is I am the one who took most of the photos And had the same type of studio these two magazines were a one-of-a-kind no other magazines were out like that such crazy coincidences when my great uncle Sal saw the magazine he realized right away I was going to be the one to tell the family story

When I first got heavy into the New York nightlife I was fortunate to work for Mr. Fox he’s been promoting parties in New York City since the studio 54 Era he’s 10 years older than me and I’m 64 now, Herbert pretty much promoted a event once a week all year round and if he wasn’t promoting a event he knew a half dozen that were going on one of the greatest party connections I ever had I photographed hundreds of his events he was involved with a lot of modeling agencies he’s one of the main reason I started portraitsofnewyork.com my company portraits been around more than 30 years but when I met Herbert it went into full swing, The guy on the right I have to call him Mr. Diamonds He’s another guy 10 years older than me badest white boy out of Newark New Jersey another one of those Vietnam marine commandos, back in 1972 and 73 I use to watch Donnie hustle pool, In 1989 he bought a strip club in Jersey I ended up selling him ads and photographing his club The go-go Rama on Route 35 A full nude juice bar that was a crazy club if we jump ahead to 2004 we meet up again in New York and he becomes my partner with portraits of New York he had just as many party connections as Herbert We got some stories

The guy next to my grandfather, Phil he was one of those special forces guy in Vietnam also a riverboat captain Before he went to Vietnam he worked for my grandfather on one of his boats smuggling rum and guns out of Cuba he finally came back to Key West in 76 my grandfather arranged for him to get a hotdog wagon right by his bar Back when I started working my grandfather had a manager Peter he would work the door I ended up working with him after a while my grandfather got rid of his manager and left me at the door by myself all the other bars had two or three bouncers I was by myself except for Phil 50 feet away in case there was any problem, Thank God for Phil because I had my share of problems as soon as Phil saw a little problem he would slowly walk over without saying anything He never raised his voice or anything one sucker punch to the stomach the person was unconscious he assisted me in A couple of fights at the I miss that old pirate