Pkok curated art

Meet Erik Marin, also known as @tracingstories— a distinguished freelance photographer based in New York City's vibrant Lower East Side. Though his passion for photography feels instinctive, it wasn’t until 2015 that he first picked up a camera. 

In a few short years, Erik earned a dedicated following with his distinctive approach to capturing men’s style. His talent has led to collaborations with prestigious brands like Uniqlo, Cartier, Lexus, GQ Magazine, Le Labo, and W Hotels. Beyond fashion, his move from Miami to NYC in 2017 unlocked a newfound artistic dimension—street photography.

Delve into this thread to find out more about Erik's art journey.

Erik | Street photographer 📸 | https://superrare.com/tracingstories | http://Instagram.com/tracingstories |

https://linktr.ee/TracingStories 

Erik’s cinematic interpretation of city life and its inhabitants has set him apart as an artist who defies conventional boundaries. His work captures romance in shadowy alleyways and whimsy in the mundane, infusing a moody aesthetic that allows the raw truth of his subjects to shine. 

“I don’t shoot what it looks like; I shoot what it feels like,” Erik explains, encapsulating his creative ethos. His work seamlessly balances the grit of urban life with a poetic sensibility that resonates with audiences around the world.

Art gallery into collecting & curating digital art  |  /pkok /pkokcurated  | https://www.hypersub.xyz/s/pkok-art-18ixo8us07ytc/1

Before transitioning to photography, Erik served as a paramedic in Miami, a role he left to prioritize his mental health. This pivotal decision ignited a career that has seen him thrive as a freelance photographer in New York. 

Over the years, he has captured iconic moments backstage at New York Fashion Week for Dr. Martens, collaborated with luxury brands like Louis Roederer Cristal, and chronicled life in its rawest form through street photography—his true passion and life’s mission.

In 2021, Erik entered the web3 space, debuting his first NFT collection, 'Moments of Anonymity,' on the Ethereum blockchain. The series, consisting of 16 one-of-a-kind photographs, portrays faceless citizens of New York City, allowing the anonymity of his subjects to narrate their stories. 

'Year of the Tiger,' a visually striking collection documenting Chinatown during a snowstorm, followed in February 2022. “The energy in this neighborhood is unmatched, and the stories are endless,” Erik shared. His work celebrates the hidden beauty of everyday urban life, often overlooked in the hustle of the city.

In May 2022, Erik expanded his digital portfolio with Vignette City, a series of editioned works celebrating the layers of emotion within the urban landscape. From the glow of light escaping a fire escape to the unspoken narratives carried by city dwellers, the collection invites viewers to see the city through Erik’s lens—a place brimming with both freedom and quiet sorrow. 

Since then, Erik has continued to mint works on platforms like Foundation, SuperRare, and others across chains such as ETH, Solana, Zora, and Polygon earning recognition as a leading street photographer in the web3 community.

Erik Marin’s work transcends photography, offering a profound exploration of emotion, perspective, and urban storytelling. As he puts it: “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” 

Whether through his poignant street photography, high-profile brand collaborations, or groundbreaking NFT collections, Erik’s art invites audiences to experience the world anew, finding beauty in the shadows and stories in the overlooked corners of city life.

If you haven’t followed @tracingstories yet, we strongly recommend you do so. You can also stay in touch with Erik’s art journey at: 
https://www.tracingstories.me/
https://linktr.ee/TracingStories