October Town and Country Magazine

This month I was really excited to get the October issue a little early and to see the party pages that Alexis Clark has been busy at work on. The first was MOMA that I shot in the garden. I loved the event. It was a little less structured than in years past and guests sat on sofas and socialized as they ate dinner.
Next was Evidence Dance Company that was held at The Plaza. After dinner the guests watched as the dancers put on an amazing show. I wish I could move like that. Guess that is why I am a photographer and not a dancer.
Last but not least was the School of American Ballet Gala. The students not only danced but came out during dinner and took a fianal bow. Don't you just love New York. I know I do!

Sophie and Duncan

3 weeks ago I got to go to the South of France and explore the countryside in a little smart car all as part of the fun of photographing a wedding.
Thank heavens for the english speaking GPS cause I would still be trying to find my way. Sophie and Duncan chose a location 2 hours from Bordeaux. With family coming from the US, England and France it was a perfect weekend. The weather had been scheduled to rain but the sun shone the entire time. The food was wonderful and new friends were made. To see the slide show please click here Sophie and Duncan

New Yorker's for Children Gala 2009

Tuesday night had me rushing across town in the thick of the traffic racing to get to Ciprianni 42nd St before the guests. Obama had been in town and now that the UN is in session taxis are the slowest form of transport. Somehow I got there just in time to be ahead of the rush of beautifully dressed people as they arrived. Anderson Cooper hosted the event and Mary J Blige was the honoree It was a night of raising money for children in foster care here in NY.

Tosca at the Met

Monday Night was the Metropolitan Opera's Gala with the performance of the Tosca and the dinner to follow in the Tent at Damrosch Park. There were so many celebrities it was hard to keep track of them all. Peter Gelb and his beautiful wife Keri-Lynn Wilson were on the run all night long saying hello to every one. I am a big Law and Order fan and so I was excited to see Sam Waterston and his wife. They were so nice to photograph and didn't mind stopping at all.
I even got to see the opera. It was broadcast live out on the plaza. I loved it. The weather was perfect. Then it was into the tent were I was lucky to be seated. There was a Tuscan theme with antipasto followed by pasta and then gelato and little cakes to follow. The tent looked beautiful and was designed by David Stark.

Olivia Chantecaille's Wedding in Town & Country

Finally the new edition of Town & Country Weddings is available in stores. I have been waiting to see the selection of photos from Olivia's wedding in St Barts.
I was so thrilled when I found the magazine on Sunday at my local corner news stand. Here are the first few pages. I hope it makes you want to see more and I really hope you buy the magazine cause there is lots to read and be inspired by.

The New York Philharmonic Gala

Wednesday night, Alan Gilbert became the New York Philharmonic's 25th music director, opening on a bold note — the world premiere of Magnus Lindberg's "EXPO."
I didn't get much of a chance to hear the concert but I did get to see what everyone was wearing. The press were there to photograph Alec Baldwin and Billy Joel. Luckily I saw them first and did not get stampeded but I didn't get so lucky with Meryl Streep who must have come in the back way. Renne Fleming who sang during the performance lit up the tent when she came in for the after show dinner

Journey for Change

Last week I got an email from Malaak Compton-Rock asking if I would like to photograph the graduation of her first 40 students to complete the Journey for Change.
Malaak founded and coordinates Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service, a program that takes at-risk youth from Brooklyn, New York to Johannesburg, South Africa for two weeks of global volunteer service. Upon their return, the participants who attend The Bushwick Salvation Army Community Center, became Global Ambassadors for one year engaged in advocacy, service, and educational services.
As part of their graduation the students were told their heritage and african roots by Dr Gates. It was a great evening.

New York

Back in the city I call home. As I walk the streets between work and life I find the inspiration that holds me here.

Paris

I just got back from Paris. After shooting a beautiful wedding outside of Bordeaux I needed a few days to just wander and be.
I left my big heavy cameras in the hotel as I walked across the the city.
With only my cell phone to help me capture my minds eye, I gazed at the buildings, walked through the parks and strolled down the avenues that had become my visual friends on my first visit to this beautiful city when I was only 10 years old.


Now I pause and see the reflection of time and sense the changes that have brought me back to a new beginning that will unfold and envelope me into my future