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

Emilie and Patrick

Last week I had a little wedding in Connecticut. Emilie and Patrick tied the knot on a rainy day in Kent. The weather did not dampen the joy of the day. At the end of the night when Patrick was thrown into the pool Emilie jumped in to join him.

ABT Spring Gala Makes Town & Country

Have you seen the September Town & Country. I was so excited to see my photos from ABT. As always Alexis Clark did a great job on the editing.



All Photo © Julie Skarratt

Emmeline gets a baby brother

Last week I made a quick visit to meet the newest member of Emmeline's family. Her baby brother John was only a week old. It was dinner time for Emmeline and sleep time for the baby so I knew I didn't have long. I took photos of the baby and then when it was time to do the family together Emaline came up with the idea for her and her parents to kiss her little brother. Do we have an Director in the making? I was happy to follow her directions.
I can not tell you how happy it makes me to have the chance to photograph and document the lives of so many former brides and grooms. I hope the photos say it all.