Sam - founder
"When I looked to make interesting pictures in New York, it took me days to locate the vantage points, the proper light conditions and settings for one photo. I wondered how photo-enthusiasts would find the time to scout and find these spots. I thought everyone, from New York or visiting the City could learn how to use its equipment better, while at the same time taking great photos." - citifari was born.
Sam has a degree in engineering and a passion for photography. He was an early adopter of digital photography and he is now regularly featured in the largest medias (CNN, New York Times, WSJ, ABC, CBS, ...) and exhibited in galleries in Soho and in the City.

Rob
"The experience of teaching photography informed my own work and compelled me to return to school to complete my Bachelor’s Degree at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts film program. The sum of my experiences enabled me to work my way through the program and expand on an already comprehensive education with minors in Art History, American Literature and Cinema Studies." Still expanding on his interest in photography a decade later Rob recently completed the rigorous entrance requirements of the International Cinematographer’s Guild. Rob found the greatest satisfaction and sense of achievement not only in the quest for that elusive 'perfect' image but in teaching photography to others.
Rob's favorite quote: “All I can say about the work I try to do, is that the aesthetic is in reality itself.” - Helen Levitt (1918-2009)

Debbie
"Photography was a much tougher affair when I fell in love with film at 17y.o. For more than 30 yrs., I have been shooting incredible images ranging from cityscapes and landscapes, to people and tornadoes. Even though photography is now made so much easier, there is still tons of things to be learned and I am looking to impart my photography expertise with each of you. I will teach you about proper use of camera settings for optimal image results."
Debbie is a native New Yorker and a licensed New York Sightseeing Guide. She occasionally leads tornado tours in tornado alley as well as group and private tours in New York City.

Jean-Francois
Jean-Francois is a semi-retired professional photographer. Originally from France, he has photographed hundreds of models over his career of 30+ years in photojournalism, advertising and fashion photography between Paris and New York City. Jean-Francois owns his studio but likes the outdoors most and knows New York City like his pocket. Feel free to ask him your questions in French!

Gildo
Gildo ia a native New Yorker who has traveled to 25 countries. From a family of Italian painters, Gildo is known for his artistic approach capturing the essence, soul and spirit of his subjects and vistas.
Gildo is a fashion photography graduate of F.I.T. He worked as a NYC fashion photographer in the exciting 80's working with international top models.
He also photographed the famous, from Armani to Warhol. His stock photography is in more than 50 countries worldwide. With over 35 years of experience, his photographs are in the Smithsonian Institute and published in the NY Times Magazine. He knows the all unique places of the Big Apple.
''I'm happy to be with citifari because now I can share my creative vision of NYC with everyone.''

Rob
Rob’s background as a photojournalist, filmmaker , author and guide. He’s been published in a large variety of domestic and international publications, amongst others in Time , People, Fortune, USA Today and most frequently for Newsweek, where he was under contract for 10 years.
Throughouthis career, he covered stories and events all over the world, from the fall of Eastern Europe to presidential campaigns. Rob has published 11 books for children and produced the documentary Gotham Fish Tales, about the fishery of New York City, which ran on the Sundance Channel.
Rob lives in Brooklyn and is a licensed New York sightseeing guide.

Zoe
"I have been an enthusiastic shutterbug my whole life, and learning to use my DSLR was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I want other people to get the same thrill of artistic creation that I get when I use my camera."
Zoe is a recent grad of NYU's Media, Culture, and Communications major and is currently working towards an MFA in Creative Writing. She studied analog photography at Stanford and then switched to digital photography after moving to New York for college.

Sévrine
“I fell in love with photography when I received my first camera at the age of eight. Since then I have never stopped taking pictures of moments that count, for better and for worse! I developed my photographic knowledge in high school where I attended an art program. I keep in mind childhood memories of walks with my father’s film camera, searching for the best place to shoot. Although I am now using a digital camera, photography will always mean to me the discovery of places and the capture of their particular atmospheres.”
Sévrine has a Master in Communication and Social Sciences. She will always be a photo-enthusiast.

Louis
"Photography is a very reflexive practice. Every time you point your lens somewhere, set your settings, and release the shutter you are making a statement about who you are. What I love about citifari is that we are trying to help people better understand who they are through your pictures. Plus they are not many things that give you the feeling of taking a great picture, sitting back, and being able to say 'I took that'."
Louis teaches Basic Film and Video Production at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, NY and studies for his Master's degree in Cinema Studies from NYU Tisch. He moved to New York from San Diego for school five years ago and has loved every minute of it.

Fred
"A friend of mine had booked citifari's photo tour and asked me to come along. I did not have a DSLR at the time and only used a point and shoot camera. When I saw the enthusiasm and the interest of the people in the tour, I decided to join and work on developing the photo tours. I might come along for a workshop once in a while but I am mostly working in the dark making sure that your tour runs smoothly."
Fred holds a degree in humanities from the University of La Sorbonne in Paris and moved to New York six years ago.