The New York Paparazzi

The New York nightlife scene is starting to feel a little bit too Hollywood for my tastes. The paparazzi which crowd over celebs like lens carrying vultures are no longer confined to stalking socialites on Rodeo Drive. The new slew of trigger happy photogs haunting the New York scene aren’t concerned with Britney’s breakdowns and Lindsay’s newest man, but instead turn their pop shots to the drunk partiers, crossdressers, and fag hags that frequent New York’s hip”ster” spots.

Last nights party for indie band Young Love seemed to be like blood in the water for these snap happy sharks. Merlin Bronques of Last Nights Party, Nicky of Nicky Digital, and Tone of Photo by Tone were all invading the scene, giving unsuspecting partiers the chance to be famous, if only for one click. Merlin (sans bad Tina Turner wig) even took to the stage crouching behind members of Young Love as he snapped photos of the crowd. Being photographed by one of these photographers has become a right of passage, a status symbol for desperate celebu-nots looking for a little bit of fame. But who are these indie-photographers making a name for themselves in the underground?

Here’s our snapshot of the clicksters you need to know.

1. The Cobra Snake a.k.a. Most Likely to Succeed

Real Name: Mark Hunter, 22

Trigger Style: Known for his unstructed photo style and ability to capture celebs and party people in the most comfortable poses The Cobra Snake quickly rised from obscurity to become one of the most sought after nightlife photographers around. The Cobra Snake is the pioneer of the nightlife scene and has been snapping away at drunk socialites since before he, or I, could drink.

Why We Love Him: The Cobra Snake offers a unique look at how the celebrity and the New York Party scene collide. His photos seem to define status and getting snapped by this clickster is worth its weight in New York street cred.

Celebrity Friends: DJ Aoki, Cory Kennedy

The Past: In 2005 there were talks of a Cobra Snake book and reality series, maybe I missed it but it seems that neither of these went through.

The Future: The Cassandra Report, a $100,000 private trends report published for companies like Coka Cola, recently included The Cobra Snake as one to watch in 2007, which means it’s only a matter of time before the Snake sells out.
2. Ambrel aka The Artist

Real Name: Nikola Tamindzic, 33

Trigger Style: Nikola shoots some of the most amazing pictures you have ever seen of drunks and naked people. Known for his careful use of light and ability to capture powerful action shots, his work is one of the few you would feel proud to hang on the walls of your tiny studio apartment.

Why We Love Him: Aside from his amazingly funny work for Gawker, Nikola seems to brdge the gap between the nightlife scene and art. Also, the dude shoots fashion week runway shows better than the greats.

Celebrity Friends: It’s hard to have friends when your a Gawker Stalker

The Past: Was chosen by the Village Voice Best Nightlife Photographer

The Future: More work for Gawker and hopefully an exhibit of his best work.

3. Last Nights Party aka Girls Gone Wild Hipster Edition

Real Name: Merlin Bronques, 29

Trigger Style: Known as the Hipster Pornographer, Merlin has taken his trademark wig and sunglasses and turned himself into the ultimate nightlife lensman. The girlies seem to always be ready to strip down for this effeminate, but definitely not gay, clickster proving that college girls on Spring break aren’t the only ones out there with low self esteem.

Why We Love Him: Hard to say, he’s more of someone we love to hate. I never approach him when he’s wearing the wig cause it weirds me out a bit. When he’s not in character he’s one of the most pretentious assholes I’ve ever met, but maybe I’m just jeolous I’ve never been captured in one of his photos.

Celebrity Friends: The Misshapes, maybe. I don’t know. Everyone hates each other in this scene.

The Past: Recently published a book with his work from the past years. The infamous “I Fucked Merlin Bronques” t-shirt.

The Future: With a website that gets more traffic than all the other photographers combined, it’s only a matter of time before Last Nights Party becomes the end all, say all spot for New York’s Underground Scene.

4. PhotoByTone aka Ghetto Superstar

Real Name: TONE, 26ish

Trigger Style: Like Cher or Madonna, Tone is a one name phenom making his way through the party world. Mostly seen at the hottest Hip-Hop parties in New York, Tone’s photo style is based around pauses in action, when partiers realize it’s time to stop dancing and strike a pose.

Why We Love Him: Tone is my favorite cause he’s the only photographer out there who you’d want to talk to. Plus, he actually shows you the picture after he’s snapped it and lets you yay or nay it. This seems like an obvious thing to do but you’d be amazed how often it never happens.

Celebrity Friends: Roxy Cottontail, Lupe Fiasco

The Past: Roxy’s personal favorite, TONE has photographed her parties for what seems like forever, which in New York speak really is like two months.

The Future: TONE and partner Trevz recently started The New Pop, an online video site for the underground that is quickly become my favorite spot for highly viral video.

5. Nicky Digital, aka Straight to the Face

Real Name: Nick Rhodes, 24

Trigger Style: Known as the close-up king, Nicky can’t seem to focus on anything but straight up face shots. Rather than being intimate photos, the pictures seem more like uncomfortable reminders that hot girls are never really alone in New York City, cause some dude with a camera wants to take your picture and then get your number.

Why We Love Him: Nicky seems to be a real ladies man. I’ve seen him walking through the East Village with some tight little model chick around his arm. Pretty impressive for a dude who looks like an older version of Chunk from the Goonies. (aw that was mean, Nicky is really cool. He’s like the Jack Black of the party scene and can always make you smile.)

Celebrity Friends: Like Black, he doesn’t seem to attract too many celebrity buds.

The Past: Rhodes works as creative consultant and art director for several major publications while devoting his nights to his photography and working around the clock on NickyDigital.com with a single goal, keeping it positive.

The Future: Probably more of the same.

6. I Think Your Swell, aka Papa Polaroid

Real Name: Antwan Duncan, 21

Trigger Style: This newbie has been making a splash in the party circuit armed with a vintage polaroid camera. His photos are both iconically classic and are muted representations of the loud, crazyness that defines the New York Party.

Why We Love Him: Dude walks around with a polaroid camera. How can we not like him? Also, he’s a Threadless contributor who has been responsible for slogan greats like “i want a girlfriend. preferably one that used to be a pirate.”

Celebrity Friends: None yet, but give it time.

The Past: Not much history. The boy is still new to the game

The Future: Fashion Indie will be hiring Antwan to take photos of his favorite street fashionistas and we’re thinking about commissioning the artist for our upcoming print edition, Fashion Indie’s The Look, in your favorite boutiques next fashion week.

Popularity: 13% [?]