Last week was the start of my spring with the Studio Museum in Harlem's Spring Luncheon at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in NYC. It may have been poring rain outside but it was bright and sunny in the room. To see my photos please click on this PHOTO LINK

The NY Metropolitan Opera Fall Gala 2014

Last week I had the great pleasure to shoot  The NY Metropolitan Opera Fall Gala 2014 at Lincoln Center. Arriving at 5 I was just in time to catch the first arrivals as they headed up to the second floor for cocktails before the opera.
As always it was a sea of gowns and gorgeous people.
I watched the opera outside on the plaza with people who were lucky to be enjoying the free tickets.
Afterwards the guests went into the tent designed by David Stark for the dinner.
To see all the images you can click on this link MET OPERA GALA Fall 2014

The Studio Museum In Harlem Fall 2013 Gala

Last night I raced downtown the Cipriani Wall Street for the  the Studio Museum in Harlem's fall 2013 Gala. It is always such an amazing event and last night was no exception.
The room was full of beautiful people celebrating the arts and culture of Harlem and the amazing Studio Museum lead by Thelma Golden that is now 45 years young.
The event raised over 1.6 million dollars.

To view all the photos please click on this link The Studio Museum in Harlem Gala 2013

The Studio Museum in Harlem Gala

Last night was The Studio Museum in Harlem Fall Gala 2012 at Cipriani Wall Street. Yes that is right! A little late because of Hurricane Sandy but when did a little rain ever get in the way of true NYers.
It was awesome.
Always the best dressed party of any season, this was no exception.
Thelma Golden looked sensational in a dress designed by her very talented husband Duro Olowu who accompanied her to the event. As always the 3 gala co-Chairs, Kathryn Chenault, Joyce K. Haupt and Carol Sutton Lewis were stunning.

The event raised over $1.600.000

To view all the photos please click on this link The Studio Museum of Harlem Gala

The Studio Museum in Harlem Fall Gala 2011

Last night was The Studio Museum in Harlem Fall Gala 2011 at Cipriani Wall Street. It was awesome.
Always the best dressed party of the season, this year was no exception.
Thelma Golden looked sensational in a dress designed by her very talented husband Duro Olowu who accompanied her to the event. As always the 3 gala co-Chairs, Kathryn Chenault, Joyce K. Haupt and Carol Sutton Lewis were stunning and the gala vice chairs Jacqueline L. Bradley, Amelia Ogunlesi and Teri Trotter were radiant.
Raymond McGuire was in full form and complimented the room and all the beautiful women joking that there was a guy in a neck brace still recovering from last year's head turning crowd.
The event raised over $1.600.000



To view all the photos please click on this link The Studio Museum of Harlem Gala

The Metropolitan Opera Spring Gala

Tonight was the much anticipated opening of Le Comte Ory at the Met Opera.
The crowd was beautiful, many of the women were wearing gowns by Yves Saint Laurent.
There was a dinner held on the Balcony. The guests arrived early and had cocktails upstairs followed by dinner below. They then went in to enjoy the first act. Dessert followed during the intermission and then the guests returned to their seats for the remainder of the performance.
Mrs Ziff and Mrs Bass both looked amazing as did Claire Danes and Claudia Schiffer. I am always happy to see the always elegant Marlene Hess and her husband Jim Zirin.
Many thanks to all the staff who not only took great care of me, they also let me take their photos at the end of the night. Ladies you Rock... and you know who you are! To view all the photos please click on The Met Spring Gala Link

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.

The Studio Museum Fall Gala 2009

Last night was so much fun. The Studio Museum of Harlem had its annual Gala at Ciprianni Wall Street. As always the 3 beautiful Co-Chairs were Kathryn C. Chenault, Joyce K. Haupt and Carol Sutton Lewis. Thelma Golden looked radiant as she presented the award. Ray McGuire had us all laughing with jokes as he took to the mic. Melissa Feldman from MF Productions made sure the event was flawless and found me a place to sit for dinner. It was yummy.

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.

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