Portraitist
Storytelling our history
Kia ora
Moments. Banter. Vibes
Aly N.T.- amidst his Japanese background enriched on his childhood Noah-esque traits, revolting against the flow of the norm, picked up his first camera from a friend during his final year at University after a accident that changed his life. It wasn’t long before he fell in love with the craft. With a passion for people and an ear for a story, Aly soon knew the streets were calling. These days you’ll likely spot him roaming Auckland city looking like a scruffy Jesus, camera in hand.
On a rainy day, you’ll find him holed up in the nearest hipster cafe editing his shots - you could say coffee is his best friend.
Common Qs.
Alys first ever camera was a Canon 400D with Kit lens- lent from a friend. 7 years of shooting has resulted in an album of 1000+ portraits across 21 countries. This Website Portfolio is 1% of the albums - more to come. Stay tuned
Gear Timeline 2014-2024
400D + Kit lens, 400D +50mm1,8, 60D 50mm 1.8 , 7D 50mm 1.8, 5D MK II 50mm1.8, 5D MK II 50mm 1.4 . For Europe & Asia - Sony A6000 35mm1.4
Favourite camera? Sony a6000, 35mm1.4
On Street Photography
I always wonder - who are these people around me? That walk by me, gaze at me as I gaze back, everyday. At every traffic light, bus stop, riding, walking, enjoying their coffee. I wonder, what do they do in this world? Was it always their current role ? What are their passions, regrets and what stands in their way of being fulfilled? what ordeals do they go through? What does their voice sound like? What intensity, breadth, emotion, feeling, trauma & history do their voices n gazes convey?
Indeed, in a more present tense , what are they going through?
The seed of curiosity has always even in me since childhood.
My gaze returns with a cascading domino of thoughts that reside in my head with the final uttering of "Hi". The human replies back in a startled fashion thinking to their self - why is this person uttering a graciously kind word to me amidst this chaotic pursuit of life we are all in?
Verily, everyone is in the fast paced life which is shaped by the capitalism. From one scene to another. Work. Home. School . University. Cafe. Suit. Casual. Barefoot. Construction workers building the next marvel. The next business, university, the next tax dollar paid roads. The smoke breaks of the blue collar heroes. The coffee smoke break comrades amidst High street in Auckland, Shoreditch London, Jordaan Amsterdam, Einfield Cologne. These are just some of the cities bursting with moments , so present but ever so easily missed in the fast paced life we live in.
We, the street photographers of Aotearoa, New Zealand and the world, capture these moments. As they are.
With every moment , history is captured.
- The Portraitist (c) 2014-2025
Viva La Palestine