I had limited time in New York City.
It was almost laughable to imagine I’d squeeze in multiple meetings and museum visits my marketing manager had optimistically lined up. But in the end, all I needed was one.
I met Yoni.
He greeted me outside his studio—a 6th-floor walk-up tucked into the belly of the city. The entryway alone took my breath: textured portraits lined the walls, bathed in that signature New York grit-meets-glam. I knew immediately—I was about to step into the domain of a master.
Yoni Levy is the founder of Tals Studio, a full-service photography studio in Manhattan. With over 40 years of experience, Yoni specializes in fashion, portrait, and event photography, known for his mastery of studio lighting and capturing authentic expressions.
He invited me in, offered me coffee, and sat across from me with a calm, grounded intensity.
“So,” he asked, “what do you want? What are you doing here?”
I laughed nervously. I told him my marketing manager had reached out, and truthfully, I was just hoping to learn. Maybe hear a bit of his story. Maybe glean a perspective or two about photography in a city like this.
He said, “Do you want to hear the real story?”
I said yes.
And what unfolded next cracked me open.
Yoni took me back—back to his early fashion photography success in Europe. Back to building something big, bold, and enviable. And then… the collapse. A business relationship gone wrong. A rug pulled out. Suddenly, he was sleeping on the streets of New York City, camera bag still slung over his shoulder.
But grace found him. A landlord gave him a window with a studio. A chance and a few weeks. He hustled. He shot. He rebuilt.
Today, he’s fully booked, holding space in a studio filled with light and legacy. I teared up as he spoke—genuinely moved by the sheer resilience and vulnerability it took to rise again. No fluff. Just truth.
And his work? Stunning. His use of light—controlled, sensual, architectural—stole my breath. I don’t work with strobes myself, but watching him create made me want to. I fell in love—not just with the art, but with the man behind it. His grit. His generosity. His raw, grounded spirit.
As a Missoula-based photographer specializing in birth photography, maternity sessions, and intimate portraiture for women and families, I often speak about the sacred nature of being seen—truly seen. This visit reminded me how powerful that is, both as an artist and as a woman.
Before meeting Yoni, I had the privilege of photographing Leah of Antevasin, a fellow artist and kindred spirit. Leah’s work delves into the exploration of identity and transformation, and capturing her essence was a profound experience. Our session was more than just a photoshoot; it was a collaborative journey into vulnerability and self-expression.
I left wanting to return. Not as a fellow photographer, but as a subject. To be seen through his lens. That’s the power of true artistry—and connection. Photography isn’t about trends—it’s about working for the passion of Photography, and to be humble with the pursuit of success. It’s about capturing a present moment so it will never be forgotten. Yoni inspired me to return to Missoula with even more humility, passion, and drive.
Because at the end of the day I want to stay being an artist and there’s nothing I would rather do than create via photography.
I hope to return to New York, to sit on that same couch, and co-create something unforgettable with Yoni.
