UNICEF Snowflake Ball 2016

Tuesday night was the UNICEF Snowflake Ball 2016 celebrating 70 years of UNICEF. Amazing to think that the Annual Gala is in its 12th year and at the end of the evening it was announced that they had raised over 3.9 million dollars to help save the children in need.
The first award was given to Moll Anderson who moved the crowd with her passionate description of traveling as a UNICEF Ambassador and how it had changed her life. She challenged us all to make the journey and to see first hand what is happening in the field.
It was a record evening however the high light for me was when it was when Pamela Fiori who was describing the Audrey Hepburn Award called Carol back on stage who then announced that Hilary Clinton was going to introduce Katy Perry who was receiving the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian award.
I usually have all the inside information well in advance of the event. Being the photographer my clients like me to be well prepared however there was so much secrecy about Mrs Clinton's appearance that night that I wasn't even warned before it was announced she was about to take the stage. Luckily I was close by and didn't need to race to the front of the stage. The room roared with approval and we all cheered as she walked up to the podium. And then the room became so quiet I could hear my own thumping heart beat.
As Mrs Clinton described Katy and her dedication towards woman and children, Katy who was sitting beside Orlando Bloom had tears running down her face. Yes I took a photo as he reached over and kissed her and if I get permission form the powers that be I promise I will post it because I loved witnessing such an amazing moment and even more, feel so blessed to have been able to catch it all even if it is only for the private eyes of Katy and Orlando.
And may I say that as sad as I am that Mrs Clinton did not win the election I must believe that the reason is clear that she is going to be able to achieve far greater good without the mantle of president weighing her down and that in this time of great divide we have all been made aware of how fractured this system and country have become.
And so a night of celebration was made all the more sweet as we all came together for a common cause, helping the lives of millions of children in need of even just the basic requirement of fresh drinking water or medicine or even food to prevent malnutrition.

Best wishes and may the holiday cheer continue.

The American Hospital of Paris Foundation 2016 Award Gala.

Last night was The American Hospital of Paris Foundation 2016 Award Gala held at the Plaza Hotel in NY. It was my first time covering the event which was cocktail attire and in the Terrace Room.
The Award was given to the very elegant Donna Chapman who due to a recent little accident was sporting the most glamorous silk covered crutches that complimented her black silk Channel Purse. We hid her crutches for most of the photos but the were certainly camera ready.
She gave such a warm heart felt acceptance speech.
The Hospital was created in 1906 and provides American expatriates residing in France American trained medical care in English.
To learn more about the hospital please click on AMERICAN HOSPITAL LINK

The Martina Arroyo Foundation Dinner at Essex House

Monday night was the Martina Arroyo Foundation Dinner at Essex House and I was thrilled to See Andrew Martin Weber and many of his good friends there to help raise money and to celebrate The Martina Arroyo Foundation.
To see all the images please click on PHOTO LINK

DIA Art Foundation Fall Dinner in celebration of Robert Morris

Last night was The DIA Art Foundation event held at Art Beam honoring Robert Morris and his remarkable career.


To learn more about DIA click on this DIA LINK

Catering OIVIER CHENG

Event Planners CAIT AND JULES

LDF Fall GALA 2016 at Cipriani 42nd Street

Last night I was honored to be the photographer for LDF Fall GALA 2016 at Cipriani 42nd Street.

What an amazing event and what a room full of incredible people who have dedicated their lives to fighting racial injustices through litigation, advocacy, and public education.

Whether it is campaigning  to  stop police brutality or to end the death penalty or fighting for equality, equal pay, equal education last night I found myself surrounded by likeminded people who put thoughts and words into action using the legal system and hard work to make the United States of America just that, a country of uniting states where race and color should not determine our every day rights. I was so proud to be present. 
In this time of uncertainty where everyone is being drawn apart by fear and lack of compassion, as so many Americans of all different backgrounds do not have access to satisfying jobs and are unable to take care of them selves financially, to a system where the struggles at the bottom are becoming so great that people will grasp on to anything that promises them a glimpse of hope regardless of how unrealistic those promises are, to the race issue and how scared people can turn fear into hate, LDF is a beacon of hope and an agent of change as they address and fight the issues of racial injustice.


To learn more please visit their website at LDF LINK

The Garrison Institute Fall Dinner in NY

Last night was the 2016 The Garrison Institute Fall Dinner in NY at 583 Park Ave Honoring Gelek Rimpoche and Dr. Dan Siegel.
The evening included performances by Jesse paris Smith, Laurie Anderson who received a poem about writing a letter to Jack Kennedy when she was young as only Laurie Anderson would do and then the night ended with Krishan Das plus opening remarks by Richard Gere who gave us an actors interpretation of saying The Garrison Institute several times with power, grace and reverence. 
To learn more please click on Garrison Institute Link

To see all the images please click on PHOTO LINK

The Studio Museum in Harlem Fall Gala 2016

Monday night was The Studio Museum in Harlem Fall Gala 2016 held at Cipriani Wall Street.
This year there was so much excitement in the room and  it was announced that when The Ford Foundation heard that they had raised 1.9 million dollars. they said WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT and donated $100 thousand dollars to make it a 2 million dollar night. What excitement to know that the museum is flourishing in Harlem not only as a place to showcase the amazing art but also as a place of learning and training of new curators that are moving on to places like Moma thanks to the inspiration of Thelma Golden.
To see all the images you can click on this PHOTO LINK

What they wore on the Red Carpet for ABT

Wednesday night was the ABT Gala at Lincoln Center. There were some stunning dresses. I would say my favorite  was the emerald green Gown worn by Ariana Rockefeller. Indre Rockefeller looked fabulous in lemon yellow while Fe Fendi turned heads in her stunning red off the shoulder gown.

Henna Con 2016

As most of you who follow me on instagram know I fell in love with henna last spring and have been  spending my spare time practicing and learning where ever and when ever I can. As a photographer it has been great to use my eyes and hands in a different way. Last Thursday night after photographing the Carnegie Hall Fall Gala  I raced home at midnight and edited and uploaded the photos so I could jump on a plane on Friday for LA where I spent the weekend at HENNA CON, the largest gathering of henna artist held each year and organized by the McQueen sisters and their mom Flavia.
What an amazing few days I spent encouraged and inspired by both the teachers and the other students. It was as always amazing to witness the beginners as they put henna on paper or people for the first time. It was beautiful to see everyone so focussed. We laughed, we cried, we stayed up too late, we shared stories and drew elephants and umbrellas and asked each other about how we fell in love with henna and when we said good bye we couldn't stop looking on instagram so see where our new friends were going.
It is wonderful to be surrounded by creativity in what ever form it takes. This is my thank you to my new friends, all who have inspired me

Carnegie Hall Fall Gala 2016

Last night was the Carnegie Hall Fall Gala and the ribbon cutting for the Blavatnik Family First Tier.
The evening stated with cocktails followed by the ribbon cutting. Next came the performance and then the guests made their way to the Warldorf Astoria where the ballroom was transformed by the team at David Stark. After dinner the guests took to the dance floor being wicked up by Peter Duchin and his band.