How Moshe S. Newhouse Turned a Camera and a Dream into a Life of Photography

Moshe S. Newhouse is more than just a photographer—he’s a visual historian of the ordinary. Based in Lakewood, New Jersey, Moshe’s work captures not just what is seen, but what is felt in fleeting, everyday moments. With nearly 30 years of experience, his journey from curious amateur to professional artist serves as a powerful reminder that passion, when nurtured with discipline, can transform not only your career—but your life.

His story begins not in a studio, but in a moment of curiosity—receiving a camera as a gift, not knowing how to use it beyond the green auto mode. That simple tool became a lens through which he began to rediscover the world.

From Automatic to Artistic: How Curiosity Became a Calling

Moshe enrolled in Montclair State University with a simple goal: to learn manual mode. But what he discovered was something far deeper. Photography, he learned, wasn’t just about settings or equipment—it was about storytelling. It was about seeing.

“Once I understood exposure, light, and composition, I realized photography is less about capturing what’s there and more about capturing what you see,” Moshe says.

What began as a hobby soon evolved into an obsession. Friends who saw his early work pushed him to pursue it professionally—not because of the gear he used, but because of the feeling his photos evoked. They told stories without speaking.

Moshe S. Newhouse’s Advice to Aspiring Photographers

Throughout his career, Moshe has developed a unique voice and a method that balances technical skill with emotional instinct. Here is the advice he offers to aspiring photographers, whether you’re just beginning or trying to rediscover your creative spark.

1. Learn to See Before You Shoot

One of the most important lessons Moshe learned early on was to observe more than you shoot.

“So many people go out to take photos with the mindset of collecting images. I go out with the mindset of experiencing a moment—then capturing it.”

Moshe suggests taking walks without your camera sometimes. Train your eye. Look at how light falls on a bench. Notice how a child’s expression changes when they think no one is watching. Photography starts with mindfulness.

2. Master Manual Mode—It’s Worth It

Yes, modern cameras have amazing automatic functions. But Moshe is adamant: learning manual mode changes everything.

“Manual mode taught me patience. It made me slower—but more intentional. I no longer took a hundred photos hoping one worked. I took three—and they worked because I meant them to.”

Learning to balance ISO, shutter speed, and aperture gives you control over the outcome. It’s not just about light—it’s about storytelling through exposure.

3. Don’t Chase Trends—Chase Trut

In an age of filters, presets, and viral aesthetics, Moshe’s work remains grounded in timeless principles: light, emotion, and honesty.

“You can learn a lot from the trends. But don’t copy them. Find your truth as a photographer. The more you shoot from the heart, the more people will feel it.”

He encourages artists to study classic photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Dorothea Lange—not to imitate them, but to understand how powerful a simple, truthful photo can be.

4. Understand the Power of Editing—but Don’t Rely on It

Moshe believes that post-processing should enhance, not compensate.

“Editing is your darkroom. But the magic should start in-camera. If you don’t have a solid photo to begin with, no amount of Lightroom sliders will save it.”

He recommends that photographers learn basic color theory, dodging and burning, and how to use editing tools subtly. Over-editing, he says, is like over-seasoning food—it masks what’s really there.

5. Pursue Passion Before Perfection

Moshe often tells students and mentees: “Love photography more than you love perfect results.” Perfection can be paralyzing, especially when you’re comparing yourself to others online.

“I wasn’t a ‘great photographer’ when I started. But I loved the process. I loved learning. I still do.”

In fact, he sees failure as essential. Some of his favorite shots came from experiments that didn’t go as planned.

A Life of Light and Shadows: From the Darkroom to the World Stage

Moshe’s love for photography was sparked even earlier than his first camera—it began in his father’s home darkroom, where he’d sneak in as a child just to watch prints develop under red light.

“There was something magical about that—seeing an image come alive from nothing,” he recalls.

Today, Moshe S. Newhouse’s work can be found in permanent museum collections, and his visual art continues to evolve. He blends traditional photography with fine art expression, combining mediums in ways that challenge how we interpret a scene or a memory.

For him, photography is not just a profession—it’s a philosophy. It’s a way to process life, to understand the fleeting nature of time, and to leave behind a record that speaks when words fail.

Final Words from Moshe S. Newhouse

“I still don’t always know why I take the photos I do. Sometimes it’s instinct. Sometimes it’s emotion. But I always know when a photo matters—because I feel it.”

After almost three decades of photography, Moshe S Newhouse still feels that pull—the impulse to document a world constantly in motion. From that first moment he took a photo on manual mode, he was no longer just capturing reality—he was framing emotion, perspective, and time.

For anyone looking to follow in his footsteps, his advice is simple:

“Pick up your camera. Walk out the door. The light is always waiting.”