I love when you find something on the Internet, something that’s SO good that within 5 minutes you go from, “Eh, this is just another Web site to THIS IS THE COOLEST SITE EVER”.
And then you’re like, “I have GOT to tell someone about this.” And then you email your best friend at work and are all, “You’ve gotta check this out.” And sometimes that Web site is, you know, just pictures of Robert Pattinson on the set of his newest movie. But sometimes, well…sometimes it’s something bigger. Something you want to share with more than just the person who shares your celebrity crush.
And so it is I’m introducing to y’all Pictorymag.com. I learned about this site from my co-worker’s wife when we all traveled together last month to NYC. She had mentioned that their current story project was on NYC and so I clicked on over and within minutes—from the quotes to the stories to the images—I was just mesmerized by what was in front of me. But don’t take my word for it … if you’ve got 5 minutes (heck, better give yourself 15—it’s THAT kind of site and every one of these story projects is so so cool), check it out.
Here are a few shots that grabbed me in their most recent project:
Blizzard in Tribeca/Photographer: Eddie O’Bryan
Just prior to this shot, a police officer drove up and rolled down his window to ask if his tire tracks would have a negative impact on my shot. After I told him yes, he nodded, put his car in reverse, and went the opposite direction. His courtesy and respect had a profound effect on me, and I still hold it close to this day.
Magic Hour/Photographer: Trey Hill
For my wife’s 30th birthday, we spent a few nights taking in the city with some good friends. We had just finished dinner at Eleven Madison Park — likely the best dining experience of my life — and were running late for a show. The traffic up by Times Square was getting thick, so we decided to go the rest of the way on foot. I snapped this shot and stuffed my camera in my bag.
As we were running, the setting sun caught my wife’s hair as she looked back towards me, laughing. In that moment, she was the only light in the whole city, like everything up to that point had been a lie and the only truth was my wife and this light.
New York is a big, congested, gritty backdrop that makes everything cinematic. It’s the kind of place where you can’t — or, at least shouldn’t — put the camera away because the smallest moments become important beats in the narrative.
The Sounds of the City/Photographer: Sasithon Pooviriyakul
My friend, Meena, is an amazing violist. One lazy Sunday afternoon, we went up to my roof and she performed for the entire neighborhood. I was not surprised when she received a standing ovation.
I’m making it my mission to get one of my images included in a story on this site. Anyone want to join me in trying? 
See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Friend Gail on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.
by Gail Werner
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