Friends of Upstate: Sunny Shokrae

Friends of Upstate: Sunny Shokrae
We've know Sunny Shokrae for a couple lifetimes now. We met in our early days living in NYC where every night was a party turned karaoke party turned dance party than we'd do it all over again. Through Sunny's curiosity, humor and grace she's able to capture these moments on camera in a way that few photographers can. Fast forward 15 years and Sunny is still someone I look up to in my creative practice.  Sunny is a photographer + artist based in NYC. She leads her process with curiosity & care and her visual expertise & skill are boundless. Whether it's portraiture / advertising / fashion / community focused or personal - she centers her subjects & exudes both them, and her vision, in a way that feels intertwined, inviting and intimate.   She touches on moments of stillness and flux which demonstrates an ease and fluidity that is both current, and enduring.    Read Sunny's interview below
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Where is home?

Wherever I am. My sense of home is grounded and anchored inside my core. NY is the longest I’ve ever stayed in any city.

Do you have a morning ritual or rituals throughout your day?

Take out the compost on my way out.

What are you listening to?

The soundtrack from the show BEEF.

Where do you look for inspiration?

My environment, always. The people in my orbit. Seasons, colors & textures.

What’s for dinner?

Tonight - I don’t know! Mystery will be revealed at 7pm in an upper east side apartment thanks to a gracious host.

Where do you create?

The abyss of my mind, then onto something tangible in my office/in a studio/or in the world.

What is a typical day like for you?

Never the same, a constant rotation of roles, but the one constant is the art of negotiating, loving and interacting with my son & partner.

When do you feel like your truest self?

At all times, through the messiness and put-togetherness.

Can you tell us what your favorite Upstate item is and why?

Right now I find the handblown coupe glasses extremely delightful, they tickle my senses in a big way. The ball stems are so unexpected, elegant and playful.

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