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@finallyles

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Ten Years. Today, ten years ago on January 4, 2016…I got off a Greyhound at Port Authority bus station, with two duffle bags and a suitcase, freezing my ass off because I didn’t know how to hail a taxi. But, the smile I had on my face as the inquisitive, excited, adventurous, and slightly fearful 22-year-old I was back then, was from ear to ear. Ten years of ups. Ten years of downs. Ten years of laughs. Ten years of tears. Ten years of making new friendships. Ten years of losing some friendships. Ten years of wild human interactions. Ten years of even wilder train stories. Ten years of dating stories. Ten years of coming close to falling in love. Ten years of loving social media. Ten years of absolutely hating it. Ten years of elevating, growing, accomplishing, and understanding. Ten years of failing, falling, and almost giving up. I used to write in my Notes the days marked off when I wanted to give up and disappear. But, I remembered, tomorrow always came. And, I live in the city of my dreams, so I locked in. You know, I couched surf with family and friends for 2 years, sleeping in living rooms and kitchens, with rodents keeping me up at night. Today, I’m watering my money tree, Abby, in my OWN place, that I OWN. If it’s the Lord’s will, this January could be the month that changes my life forever 😌 Kinda like the January ten years ago did. I love who I became today. And even though I know I want to get better and improve on many things, I think 22 y/o Les would be proud of 32 y/o Les. But who knows? I am my biggest fan and my harshest critic. And to y’all, if you have a dream, never stop chasing until it becomes reality. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. Thank you, New York. For everything. Here’s to ten more years and beyond 🫶🏾❤️🗽 by @finallyles

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9 months ago

Every February, I’ve went all out and bought myself wild, extravagant gifts, most of which were forgettable and unnecessary. Well, I definitely thought it was time for a change. And, with the current state of the country and world, there is no “tomorrow”. There’s only right now. I’m so glad that in some cases, old age truly brings wisdom. For 32, I bought myself a company 😁After years of helping brands craft bold, scroll-stopping creative, I’m finally making space for a little more chaos in my work—on my own terms. 🎨🔥
Excited to take on select freelance projects where I can push creative boundaries, experiment fearlessly, and help brands make a real impact. If you’re looking for fresh ideas, sharp strategy, or just a POV on how to shake things up, let’s talk.
The only birthday gift I want this year is for EVERYONE to check out adropofchaos.com, as well as SHARE and FOLLOW @dropofchaosnyc for what’s coming next🚀 Seriously, SPREAD THE WORD, because we here now💧#DropOfChaos #nyc #company #creative #artists #innovators #curators #tastemakers #contentcreators #MyOwnLane #MyOwnShit #blackexcellence #blackbusiness #boss #CEOvibes #keepgrinding #keephustling taken in Taking Off by @finallyles

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2 years ago

G O O D K I D , L O C K E D C I T Y
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So far, one of my favorite one-shot images. In this fast-paced city, you rarely, if ever, get a second chance to see something strange or beautiful or crazy or wild. For me, NYC is a place where I can leave my apartment and go to the same places everyday and see something absolutely new. So when I walked by this van, that was completely reminiscent of the @kendricklamar album cover, “Good Kid, Mad City”, I had to snap this twist and capture the dichotomy of this can collector’s van in contrast to the luxury NYU buildings that surrounded it.

For me, the Pandy Phocus series is about capturing the frozen moments that appear during this current frozen moment in history. Now that the city is kinda heating up, images like this will forever detail what this city once was. Capturing this image of an ajar and unlocked van was simply a way to portray the symbolism of NYC unfreezing and actually living the moments that we’ve all, at one point or another, taken for granted.
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📸: Me via @sonyalpha
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#PandyPhocus
#goodkidmaadcity #frozenmoments #newyorkunlocked #TheCityIsMelting
#NewYorkFinest #lowereastside #nyc
#photoseries #oneshot #photojournalism
#blackandwhite
#nyc #photography #albumcover
#creative #content #art taken in Washington Square Park by @finallyles

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6 years ago

A New York Pace🚶🏾‍♂️
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📸: Me via @sonyalpha
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#PandyPhocus
#ThatGoodStroll #walkitout #walkitlikeitalkit #westvillagenyc #nyc #midtown #manhattan
#photoseries #oneshot #photojournalism
#blackandwhite
#nyc #photography #nycphotographer #nycphotography
#creative #content #art #digitalart taken in The High Line by @finallyles

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6 years ago

P R E M I U M R U S H 🚴🏾‍♀️
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📸: Me via @sonyalpha
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#PandyPhocus
#WhatsTheRush #tudorcity #nyc #midtown #manhattan
#photoseries #oneshot #photojournalism
#blackandwhite
#nyc #photography #nycphotographer #nycphotography
#creative #content #art #digitalart taken in Tudor City by @finallyles

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6 years ago

T H E B R A V E 🚒
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📸: Me via @sonyalpha
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#PandyPhocus
#NewYorkFinest #lowereastside #nyc
#photoseries #oneshot #photojournalism
#blackandwhite
#nyc #photography
#creative #content #art taken in Stuyvesant Town - Peter Cooper Village by @finallyles

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6 years ago

C U R R E N T E V E N T S 📰
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📸: Me via @sonyalpha
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#PandyPhocus
#trainride
#KeepingUpWithTheWorld
#photoseries #oneshot #photojournalism
#blackandwhite
#nyc #photography
#creative #content #art taken in 6 Train Line by @finallyles

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6 years ago

H E N D R I X V I B E 🎸
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📸: Me via @sonyalpha
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#PandyPhocus #washingtonsquarepark #JustAWalkInThePark #jimihendrix #music #soul #photoseries #oneshot #photojournalism #blackandwhite #nyc #photography #art #creative #content #vibes #moremusic #morelife taken in Washington Square Park by @finallyles

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6 years ago

STORY TIME...swipe ➡️
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This is Young. I noticed Young wandering around Bryant Park, seemingly looking for someone to take his picture. I hear “Mister! Mister! Can you take my picture?!”, almost as if he was in a rush. First, it was one snap on his phone, then a couple on my camera. When I showed him the results, Young quickly put his phone away and said “Ooh, good, yes, perfect. Very good. Very good. Take more? How about over there?!” I don’t know what it was, but Young’s eagerness to get the best shot was both hilarious and inspiring. “You are very good. Very good. Professional?” , Young said, but I assured him that I’m far from that. Just someone who loves taking photos for art purposes. Young offered to pay me after the first 3 photos, but I declined because I was just doing him a solid, but after the 30th picture (seriously though), Young said, “Please! Please! Dinner! Let me buy dinner! Anything you want! Come on! Let’s go!”, and I soon gave in. It was the funniest exchange I’ve had this year, because of his persistence. After Young bought Pret A Manger, we talked about how we’re both NYC transplants, our families and how he believed that he’d “never grow old because his spirit is forever young”. What a fucking vibe. What was originally a walk in the park, turned into a full-on photoshoot with a pretty amazing stranger. But then again, everyone is a stranger until you shake hands (or elbow-bump, thanks COVID).

When I started my black and white photo series, Pandy Phocus, I wasn’t sure about which direction I wanted to go in. I got a better handle on that now. With all the hate crimes and abhorrent ignorance towards the Asian community, I felt it very fulfilling to have this moment with Young. Through his thick accent, I understood everything and was able to wrap my head around some of the trials and tribulations. Shoutout to Young. We’re all forever young. 🙏🏾
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📸: Me via @sonyalpha
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#PandyPhocus #Young #ForeverYoung #photoseries #explore #inspire #photojournalism #blackandwhite #bryantpark #nyc #WhenStrangersBecomeFriends #HeWantsToBeAModelSoBad #hilarious #photography #art #creative #content #artistsoninstagram #vibes #moreart #moreblessings taken in Bryant Park by @finallyles

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6 years ago

B E S T F R I E N D 🐶
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📸: Me via @sonyalpha
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#PandyPhocusSeries #MansBestFriend #dogs #west4th #greenwichvillage #nyc #pictureoftheday #dopepic #photography #photographer #sonyalpha #sonyalphateam #content #contentcreator #art #style #blackandwhite #artistsoninstagram #music #creative #vibes #moreart #morelife taken in West 4Th Street by @finallyles

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6 years ago

Locked in...📷

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#PandyPhocusSeries #photography #photographer #sonyalpha #sonyalphateam #contentcreator #art #artsy #artistsoninstagram # #creative #vibes taken in The High Line by @finallyles

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6 years ago

S T R U M M I N ‘ 🎸
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📸: Me via @sonyalpha
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#PandyPhocusSeries #dominopark #williamsburg #brooklyn #nyc #pictureoftheday #dopepic #photography #photographer #sonyalpha #sonyalphateam #content #contentcreator #art #artsy #artistsoninstagram #music #creative #vibes #moreart #morelife taken in Williamsburg by @finallyles

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6 years ago