Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation

When Wendy Kleinman from WK Planning called me in August to see if I could photograph the Gala she was organizing for Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation little did I know I would be spending the day with Ted Turner and Toni Braxton as they toured Presbyterian Hospital to meet some of the children who are treated there each day. They were both being honored that night for their work with children.
Toni lights up the room when she walks in and with me clicking my camera and Ted and Toni smiling at everyone, heads turned as we walked down the halls of the hospital. The doctors had so much information to give us all.
Later that night it was onto the Plaza Ballroom where Ted and the beautiful Cynthia MacDonald were the first to arrive.
After dinner Toni sang and walked off the stage into the crowd. To the delight of some of the gentlemen she sat on their laps and sang and flirted with all of the guests. The photos say it all! It was a fun event and flawless thanks to Wendy and her team.

The Whitney Art Party

Last night I managed to be in 2 places at the same time so how come I can not do 2 days work in one getting everything on my blog??? First stop was the Frick where they were having the Annual Fall Ball. I stayed long enough to cover cocktails then I ran up Madison Ave to the Whitney where the photographers were 3 deep on the Red Carpet.
Thanks heavens I get to be inside and not with the masses.
The big dinner upstairs was being shot by another magazine so I was there to cover the downstairs event and to catch people as they left from upstairs. It was easy to tell the 2 crowds apart. Lindsay Lohan arrived really late and had the cameras going crazy. Shakira was the best with smiles and waves for each and every one of us. I with all stars were like that! She gets my vote!

The NCY Hispanic Society Fall Gala 2009

On Tuesday night The Hispanic Society of America held its annual Gala at 583 Park Avenue in New York City. This year they honored the following institutions and individuals for their exceptional contributions to Hispanic arts and letters:
Fundación E. Arocena
accepted by Eneko Belausteguigoitia Arocena
and José Pinto Mazal
Fernando d’Ornellas Silva
Blanca Pons-Sorolla
Antonio del Valle Ruiz

Carnegie Hall Fall Gala 2009

What happens when the conductor James Levine discovers he has to have emergency surgery 2 days before the Gala.
The show must go on and it did. With a frantic rush to see who was available, the staff at Carnegie pulled a fabulous rabbit out of the hat.
Italian conductor Daniele Gatti stepped in and led the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a concert that had the audience clapping for more.
After the concert the guests headed to the ballroom at the Warldorf for Dinner.

Paris as my Muse

I have decided that Paris is my Muse. I am in love with the city. For exactly 54 hours I spent the most beautiful weekend that included such an array of scents and senses.

The streets called my name as I left my little hotel tucked behind the Madeleine. I found myself on Rue de Rivoli where the throngs of fashionistas were running from tent to tent. Bill Cunningham walked by trying to be invisible but I had to call out and say hello.
I found myself as a guest at the Petit Palais opening of Vernissage “Horses of Qatar, The Legend of Al Shaquab”.
Sheikha Mayassa, the daughter of the Emir, and I got to say hello between her interviews and press reception.
Sunday was the Baptism of Cecilia Fekkai at Eglise Saint Sulpice followed by lunch at Jules Verne which started at 1pm and finished at 5pm. I met my friend Tony for dinner at 8.30 at a little italian bistro called le Cherche Midi on the street of the same name and after dinner I walked back to the Eiffel Tower to take my midnight shot.
I woke up to rain on Monday but that didn't stop me. I trudged over to Rue du Dragon and got soaking wet and then circled back to the hotel after lunch at Cafe Flor. The taxi was waiting for me so I quickly changed into a dry outfit and it was bye bye Paris, hello Roissy.

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.