25.05.24
New York City Profiles: César Buitrago, fashion photographer
Thomas Pink took a trip to the Big Apple to photograph a group of New Yorkers in our shirts. Here, photographer César talks having fun with fashion, football and finding inspirations in the streets of New York.
Where do you live/work?
I live in Brooklyn/Queens. I work pretty much everywhere. Sometimes on location in Harlem, or in the studios in Chelsea, or in Brooklyn where I print and have my own studio.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No day is the same in my life, which is why I love what I do. Some days I start with a training session at McCarren Park. We have a really fun football group that has been getting together for years and they meet at 7am every day. If I’m not on set for an early call time I’m always there. Other days, when I do have early call times, I typically have to be up and running around early to make sure all photo equipment is in order and that everything is set for my shoot.
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job is the people. I was on set the other day and it just hit me – I turned around, looked at my team and just thanked them for being there and sharing their experiences with me. People in New York, working in this particular creative space, come from all over the world, and their perspective and background enriches my own experience. This is my favourite aspect of my work: connecting with individuals with so many different backgrounds and perspectives.
And what are the biggest challenges?
The biggest challenge in the world of imagery, entertainment and fashion is keeping up. Technological advances, the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment world and the changes in client needs make it a huge challenge to stay ahead of the trends or just to keep up with them.
What are your favourite things to see/do in New York?
My favourite thing is waking up early on a Saturday and heading to Cherry Street in Chinatown to play some footie under the Manhattan Bridge, then head to Soho to grab a smoothie or acai bowl at a shop called Baya Bar. Sometimes I check out Iconic Magazines store while I walk around the area to see the latest fashion publications on the stand and maybe later link up with friends for lunch at my favourite restaurant, Cafe Select (I highly recommend its croque monsieur).
How would you describe New York in three words?
Easy: I Love New-York!
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is elegant and creative while also combining a bit of the athleisure elements that are so popular in everyday dressing.
How has your taste in fashion changed over the years?
Over the years I have become really in tune with how fun and creative I can be when dressing and styling myself. Anything from sizing to colour planning and accessorising. Working in the fashion space has also opened up the world of smaller/local designers who really challenge conventional everyday dressing and continue to inspire my style.
Who are your style icons?
My style icons are designers like Matthew Williamson and Peter Do. Also friends like Deon Hinton, and the streets of New York.
What do you look for in a shirt?
The first thing for me is how the shirt fits. I sometimes go for a slim fit, other times I go for a more oversized look. But I always want to make sure I have a perfectly fitting shirt in a colour I know will work with a variety of looks.
