New York City is a place of endless discoveries. To show it all off, we’re excited to announce #StreetEasyFinds. Share your NYC finds with us on Instagram: photos of homes, views, neighborhoods, or anything you’d like, and we’ll share our favorites. Each month, we highlight the work of one of our favorite NYC photographers as they share their #StreetEasyFinds with us.

Today, we’re pleased to introduce Gloria MK, who moved all the way from Congo to NYC and now spends her free moments capturing the beauty of the city on her iPhone.

NAME: GLORIA MK // ACCOUNTS: @GLOMK
FROM: CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE // ACCOUNT EST: 2015

ACCOUNT BEGINNINGS:

I wanted to connect with people who shared the same passion as me. I work the boring 9-5 during the week, and strolling the NYC streets with my camera was what I looked forward to the most on the weekends. I wanted to explore that hobby further and meet people who could relate to me in that way. That’s how it all started — there is no better place than Instagram to connect with creative people around the world.

FAVORITE SPOTS TO PHOTOGRAPH IN NYC:

I love the greener areas of the city. I stay away from super-touristy places in Manhattan, like midtown and Hudson Yards, for example. You can always find me in neighborhoods like the West Village, Greenwich Village, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, and the Upper West Side.

GLORIA LOVES NYC BECAUSE:

“If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere” and  “It’s the city where dreams come true” are two phrases that require no further explanation. Anyone would know you’re referring to NYC! To me, both phrases hold up. I came here from Congo eight years ago without friends and without a network — let’s just say I’ve faced my hardships. Ups and downs. It is my belief, however, that through said challenges, I have grown as a person on so many levels. Grit. Grind. Passion. Ambition. I feel more prepared than ever to make my dreams come true, and what better place is there in the world to make that happen? 

DREAM CITY OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK:

Probably Paris. I have family and friends there, and Paris would be a great city to live in! The architecture, the food, the fashion — plus my first language is French, so it would be easier in that way.

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Whether you’re looking to rent or to buy, find your next NYC apartment on StreetEasy.