New York City Ballet Fall Gala 2021

 What an amazing evening it was last night. It is fantastic to see everyone out supporting the Ballet. To comply with Covid rules the pre performance cocktails took place outside and I loved getting to mingle with the dancers and guests as they enjoyed the beautiful sun set.

To see all the photos please go click PHOTO LINK

American Ballet Theater Fall Gala 2018

It was a real thrill to photograph the American Ballet Theater Gala at Lincoln Center on October the 17th. The space looked fantastic thanks to Event designer Bill Tansey I loved the large red roses. The night paid homage to an all female cast of choreographers and the dances were spectacular.

As always it was fun to see so many familiar faces in the crowd.

Katie Holmes, Olivia Palermo, Violetta Komyshan, Ansel Elgort, Indre Rockefeller, Jennifer Tilly, Deborah Roberts, Diane Sawyer and many more. To see all the photos please see this Photo Link

ABT Fall Gala 2014

Last Wednesday October 22nd 2014 was the ABT Fall Gala at Lincoln Center. I was there for Quest Magazine and as always it was a great group of people to photograph.

I often get asked if any one ever makes me weak at the knees when I work and the answer is no not usually but I have to say when Chris Noth looked up and caught my eye I though I was having a true Sex in the City moment. Where were the cameras and the director. Where was the script that said he would then come over and ask the photographer to dance?

Luckily for my knobby knees that script was not written and I managed to continue on photographing the likes of the beautiful Leslie Ziff, Misty Copeland, Nigel and Cristen Barker, Andrew Martin Weber, Idre Rockefeller, Gillian Miniter, Christian Siriano, Deborah Roberts, Chiu-Ti Jansen, Hanna Bronfman, Jean Shafiroff, Caryn Zucker, Susan Fales-Hill, Star Jones, Julia Loomis, Kevin Mc Kenzie, Anna Tatlock, Rachel Moore, Fe Fendi, Hamish Bowles, Marcelo Gomez  and a host of others. To see all the photos you can click on this link ABT FALL GALA 2014

The Black Alumni of Pratt Event at the Four Seasons

The Black Alumni of Pratt (BAP) celebrated its 22nd anniversary with “Celebration of the Creative Spirit,” a scholarship benefit dinner honoring creative individuals in the arts that raises funds for talented minority students at Pratt.
The first Presenter was Georgette Mosbacher, CEO, Borghese Cosmetics. She cried as she described her friendship with Bill White the CEO of Constellation Group and his good deeds. Bill received the Creative Spirit Award.
Next Barbara Walters presented Pete Peterson the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The second Creative Spirit Award went to Edward Enninful, Fashion & Style Director at W Magazine. Martha Stewart presented the Creative Spirit Award to Stephen Sills, Founder and President, Stephen Sills Associates.
The Pinnacle in Art and Design Award was given to Chuck Close. He was unable to attend so Carrie Mae Weems presented it to Dr. Thomas F. Schutte.




 To view all the photos  please click on this link BAP

The Studio Museum Lunch 2010

Every April the first event for me that starts the Spring Season is the Studio Museum in Harlem Luncheon. I got a call early from Melissa Feldman from MF Productions to make sure I could be at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to capture all the wonderful women who contribute so much to the Museum and the educational programs.
Thelma Golden introduced Artist Kehinde Wiley who was honored this year. All of the guests received 2 photographs from students who have been part of the program.

Hey Is That Paul McCartney?

A few weeks ago I was at the right place at the wrong moment or maybe not! I was photographing the American School of Ballet at Lincoln Center and had just asked my favorite couple Al Roker and his beautiful wife Deborah Roberts if I could take a photo. No sooner had I finished I felt a breeze behind me and without thinking I turned to photograph the person behind me running down the stairs. I caught sight of the shoes and snapped a shot and then the fleeing person was gone......... Suddenly I realised who it was!

UNICEF

Last week the Unicef Gala was breath taking. Amazing photos of children hung on the walls of Cipriani 42nd St. The Gala chairs were Claudia Lebenthal and Christine Stonbely. Junior chairs were and Maggie Betts. They honored Antoinio “LA” Reid and Ted Chaiban. Chrisette Michele sang for everyone and was really amazing.

The Studio Museum Lunch

Today the chicest group of women came together to have lunch at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel as Thelma Golden from The Studio Museum of Harlem honored Amsale for her creative and visionary designs. There were mannequins displaying some of Amsales beautiful wedding dresses.



It took 30 minutes to get the ladies into the dinning room as they were all so busy chatting and catching up with each other. I was lucky to be seated with Ali from the Museum and we all enjoyed hearing from Amsale as she told us of her journey from Ethiopia to study in NY and the hardship of finding herself caught in a foreign country as war broke out in her home land. Her father was imprisoned and she found herself penniless and stranded. Through creativity, her love of beauty and a strong community of friends here in NY she not only survived but created a life in fashion that has lead to her success.




This year the Studio Museum turns 40 and FYI their autumn Gala on October 26th is a must.
Thanks Amsale for sharing your story and talents with us. You are an inspiration