The Inquiring Photographer "Iconic is the Word"

Charlii Sebunya

David Goodman: “What is your name?”

Charlii Sebunya: “Charlii Sebunya.”

DG: “Where are you from?”

CS: “Originally from London.”

DG: “What do you do?”

CS: “I am an on-camera host for Fashion One and Fashion Television and a certified trained chef.”

DG: “Wow… quite versatile! Tell me about your High Line experiences.”

CS: “My High Line experience has been very merry. And it’s to do with work - surprise, surprise - 'cause that’s all anyone does in New York. And I’ve shot trailers and TV segments and Fashion Week interviews on the High Line on a number of occasions.”

DG: “How many Fashion Weeks have you covered?”

CS: (laughs) “Too many! Since the 90s!”

DG: “I’m surprised we never met before. I always try to pick out unique people to photograph at Fashion Week…”

CS: “…Well normally because I go straight from the car into the show entrance.”

DG: “I’m here almost every day and there’s always something happening; fashion shoots especially, but also movie shoots and video production. Why do you think that the High Line has become such a nexus for filming, TV shows and all sorts of commercial and art photography?”

CS: “Because when you come up to the High Line, whether you’re on Gansevoort, 23rd, or up at the top of the park, you’ve got a beautiful backdrop of New York City which is breathtaking. And it’s an iconic backdrop which can’t be L.A., it can’t be anywhere else. And within minutes you can have a set with the Empire State Building, a backdrop of an open skyline, one of the projects, a quiet Chelsea neighborhood, and on and on. You can be at several different locations within a matter of seconds.”

DG: “Interesting… The High Line as a set. With New York City as a backdrop. It’s probably one of the most beautiful sets.”

CS: “Yeah… Iconic is the word.”