I plan to go to LA or NY in the summer this year to shoot with some great talent and talk to some agencies.  If you live or been out there working in the industry, which is better for a first timer to visit?  I haven't made my decision on where I want to go yet.  Some people say LA if I want to shoot glamour/Hollywood style and other say NY if I want to do high fashion.  It doesn't matter because at the end of the day, I shall do it all.

For each city I would like to know which photographers I just have to shoot with while I'm out there.

Which agencies I got to visit while I'm in town. 

Which places I must shop at and better not leave until I do.

Which resturants will keep me talking until I go back.


Thanks MM sistas and brothers... You know I alway love your feedback.

Depending on the time frame of your trip I will mention to you that NY tends to depopulate in the Summer months......If you are traveling in the early Summer I'd say hit NY......By July however a good portion of the people that you will want to say may have fucked off on vacation.......In which case L.A. would be a good bet!

Hollywood never vacations!


I say NY between March and July or Between Spet and Novemeber

Then Hit L.A. when the east coast is ice covered or too, nasty stinky smells from the subway choking even the bumbs, hot!

both are tough markets, very competitive, but I'm sure you know that.    Hollywood (LA) is commercial and film, TV, lots of music videos and porn...some fashion, not a huge fashion maket.

NY has TV and commercial and everything else AND of course FASHION. 

I would cater this decision to your lifestyle and personal preferences in atmosphere


NY is fast paced, crowded, expensive.  NY gets very cold and Very hot (humid) and you will be in public transportation most of the time.....I personally couldnt live like this.  Some people LOVE LOVE LOVE NY....for me it would be hell.


LA is more spread out, THe weather is better, you can drive your own car...its as expensive as NY in some areas but you can live in a crappy area pretty cheap, not midwest cheap but cheap like $800.00 a month (800 sq ft studio rats included).   People are a little more laid back then NY but then they have to be, everyone has big implanted boobs and its just harder to move quickly.  HEHEHEHE      The traffic is terrible but at least you can sit in it in your own car.     

I hate both LA and NY and would rather work at mc donalds in Iowa then live my life in either city, but I'm not normal. 

Visit NY in August and January (stay a week) then visit LA for a week, it should make your decision easier.

Thanks.  I don't want to stay in either city... just want to visit for 5 days or so.  I have two small children and I don't feel moving to either one of them right now is a wise choice for us.  However, I am all about some bangin photos and I want to shoot while I am over there.  When I do go it will be in June so I'm good with the weather at both places.

As much as I'd like you here to shoot, New York. It's much easier to get around there which is key. NYC = vertical. L.A. = horizontal

I suggest the "Hair, Makeup & Styling Career Guide", it's fab and give you all sort of info everything from agents-photographers-resumes-ports-retailers etc; nation wide.  Now on my own opinion I think NY is a better first step,  I live here but I'm not being bias.  My mentors, teachers and peps I know in the union told me NY is easier to get started in.  I was in you spot, I was going to move to LA until I was told the following.  Agian like I said I was told I don't actually know- but LA is mostly big production companies and it's hard just to be accepted in and given jobs you have to be "godfarthered in".  But in NY there are tons of modeling agencies, student films, independant films, fashion shows, photographers, studios, commericals and magazines (big & small)- so you can get jobs faster and get your work out there.  Good luck I'm sure everything will fall into place.

I would say New York.  Fashion starts in New York & Ends up in L.A....and everywhere in between..

jhon

if you're only there for 5 days, come to ny.  in la, 3 of those days will be eaten up sitting in traffic