The Bronx is beautiful. From the people to it’s architecture, to the beautiful parks and the murals and graffitied walls there’s just no place like The Bronx. We’re inspired by our home each and everyday and each week we’ll be sharing some of the photos that capture the beauty of our home and inspire us. Be sure to check in each week for the next round of photos and to follow and support the creatives that take these amazing shots.

I guess the theme of these images, if there is one, would be institution. Yankee Stadium, The Bronx Zoo, Addeo & Sons are all Bronx institutions. If you know, you know.

This first photo was taken by Jason Breton, @jason_breton on Instagram. This is a breathtaking photo. I love black and white photos because lighting and shadows mean so much more in these images. The overcast sky is given more depth in black and white. The flags poke through the sky as they catch the slightest breeze. The iconic and majestic limestone that makes up the new Yankee Stadium come into view. This stadium looks like a modern day colosseum, with its beautiful arcs and columns. The 1 6 1 station slices through the center of this image, forcing your eyes to make a decision to keep gazing at the stadium or to appreciate the geometry of the subway gate. Rectangles, squares and advertisements that are barely noticeable streak across the lower middle of the image as you glance down at the third rail and the rest of the station tracks.

This second photo was taken by @mybronxtale on Instagram. This was one of my favorite murals growing up. It was painted my one of my favorite artists and now good friend John “Crash” Matos along with Chris “Daze” Ellis and Lee Quinones in 1994. The colors on this piece truly pop. The yellow, green and pale blue rectangular paint strokes squiggle and move with a purpose. The bold outline and shadow of the giraffe break through this savanna like plane. The peeling paint just shows the age of this piece. The lion seems to be smirking, and also looks like it just had a haircut. The crane gently tips its head for a drink to the right of the image. Finally, the load and rare cobble stone sidewalk is seen at the bottom of the photo.

This last photo was taken by me. Addeo and Sons is basically a landmark in Little Italy. There’s something about those old hand painted signs that make you reminisce about an Old New York you didn’t experience but heard of and feel part of when you see them, connecting you to a time that once was. The black fire escape and red brick are Old New York. The Pane Di Casa sign hovering over the beautiful, traditional Italian bread makes you want to grab a loaf to dip in olive oil with salt and pepper. The Italian flag to the right let’s you know this is Little Italy, as if you didn’t already know. The orange glow from the child’s hoodie in the doorway pops, and if the child and man to the left weren’t in the image, it’d be hard to tell if this was taken a couple of years or decades ago. In the reflection of the glass in the top left corner above the bread is a small retail space for lease. But if these developers think they’re gonna gentrify this spot, they can fuggedaboutit.

Check in next week for another Bronxscapes series.