Nightlife photography: Cool New York photographers

Filip Wolak (fotofilip.com)

Wolak (a Time Out contributor) started in nightlife as a music promoter in Poland in the mid-’90s. His first shoot was a Halloween loft party in Tribeca in 2007. He’s also collaborated with Justin Toca and his themed Toca Cielo events.

His approach
“I am quite a shy person in real life. I never engage the people into my shots—I take them the way they are at that particular moment. I think nightlife is a combination of photojournalism and portrait photography—that’s why I love it so much. I am not giving people the chance to become better looking than they actually are. In nightlife you are getting someone’s personality.”

His tips for shooting nightlife
“Experiment, be creative. Know your gear. Try unusual angles and approaches. Get yourself right into the action, close to the people. Read the people you are photographing and find what’s special about them. Understand that hot chicks aren’t the only topic that’s worth shooting. Don’t interfere, unless you think it’s critical for the shot. Ask yourself, why are you doing this—to get social recognition or create art? This one is quite direct, but trust me, 90 percent do it for the recognition.”

His favorite parties to shoot
“I love themed and costume parties. Toca Cielo, Kostume Kult, Love That Fever, Burner stuff. I love outdoor events at dawn, like Governors Island raves, because they bring crazy crowds, but I can only take a little bit of that. I am totally in love with all things Coney Island, as well as burlesque and variety shows.”