During this week’s Feature Fridays, we’re excited to present photographer Adam Lerner, whose Brooklyn-based work we’ve admired since first seeing his work featured countless times on Brownstoner. Adam kindly took a few minutes to tell us a bit about himself and all the inspiration he finds on the streets of Brooklyn. Check out the interview below!

Make sure to check out his Flickr photostream here, and the galleries on his official website here!

For the Love of Brooklyn: Where do you live?
Adam Lerner: I live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Born in Manhattan, I’m a 3rd-generation New Yorker. I’ve tried living other places, but am always drawn back to NYC. Prior to living in Williamsburg, I lived in Manhattan; however I completely fell in love with Brooklyn and can’t imagine living in Manhattan.

LoB: Where are your favorite places to shoot?
AL: I really like shooting around Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Bushwick, largely because I tend to explore these places either on foot or bicycle. I am somewhat obsessed with the Williamsburg Bridge and even started a Flickr group for it. Something about the mixed industrial neighborhood with the city in view from almost any location, proximity to the water, etc. always inspires me to shoot.

LoB: What brings you inspiration? Any influences? Neighborhoods in particular?
AL: I think I’m inspired by light, location and people. Sometimes walking my dogs, the light is such that I have to run home and grab the camera. I tend to post a lot of landscape and architectural shots on Flickr, however I enjoy shooting people immensely. I’ve been doing some work shooting documentary and events which has been immensely challenging and fun. I’ve also shot some musicians and actors which is also challenging, but so rewarding. Ideally, I want to tell a story or evoke some sort of emotion through my photos and hope and try to achieve that whether shooting a building, a bridge, or person.

LoB: What’s the craziest photo story you have while shooting in NYC?
AL: Haha, I wish I had a crazy story, but so far, I’ve been lucky with the shooting I’ve done. I guess the nuttiest shoot I did recently was when I spent the day documenting Richie Sambora (yes, of Bon Jovi fame). It was 5 events in one day starting at WPLJ in Manhattan, then Woodbridge, New Jersey. I’d say the coolest part of it all was riding shotgun all day with the Woodbridge police captain in his super-duty police truck. He led a police escort for Richie and his entourage, running lights, blazing sirens and making sure to get me to each location first to get the initial shots of Richie. So, I guess that’s the craziest thing close to NYC.

Thanks so much to Adam for the interview, and have a great weekend!