BAP

Last Wednesday the Black Alumni of Pratt celebrated their 20th Anniversary with dinner at the Four Seasons Restaurant. Deborah Roberts and Al Roker hosted the evening with their usual charm and honorees included Lee Daniels, Naeem Khan and Ranjana Khan, Annette de la Renta and Peter Max.

Stephen and Stephanie wed at Thompson Hotel NYC

Here is a sneak peak inside Brides UK which is just hitting the news stands in Britain. Last year My editor from London called and asked me to cover Stephanie Chmura and Stephen Brandman's NYC wedding. The location was spectacular. Stephen who is a co-owner of Thompson Hotels chose the new East Village Hotel as the stunning location. I was blown away by the duplex penthouse suite where Stephanie got ready with her friends. It had a great view and balcony.
The ceremony was outside on the deck followed by cocktails around the pool. Dinner was delicious in the amazing dining room and after eating the guests danced the night away in the bar area. To see more of Brides UK you can visit http://www.bridesmagazine.co.uk.

Moma Gala

Summer is nearly here and I am so happy. The weather is perfect and this weekend I get to go away and visit Ashley and Mike and their new baby. Before I go I had to get this post up from last night at Moma. So often my photos are women in their dresses but last night they all seemed to have their favorite man on their arm. David Rockefeller is turning 95 this year and at the end of the night out came a cake with one candle on it just for him. Bill Cunningham was nowhere to be seen so when they found him they bought the cake back out and he blew out the candle again.
What a wonderful night it was in the Garden. I so love the space. The city seems so far away. To see all the photos you can visit my website at Julie Skarratt Photography and click on View your Event

Last Tuesday I raced up town to the Pierre Hotel for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Spring Gala. Jamie Tisch was the first person to arrive and looked amazing in all white.
Bronson did an great job with the ballroom filling it with butterflies and May J. Blige gave a soulful performance.
To see all the photos you can visit my website at Julie Skarratt Photography and click on View your Event

Yes Julie Skarratt was a Cosmopolitan Cover Girl

Last Sunday I had the most fun photographing a Bat Mitzvah for Ali. I had spent the afternoon with her and her sisters last Thursday when she had quizzed me on who I was. As I was taking her photos I told her how I had modeled years ago. She wanted to hear my stories and so I told her a few. On Sunday when I came back to the house her mom and sisters wanted to hear my stories too. I told them about the time I was living in Milan when I was 19 years old. It was winter and I had to go to Rome to film a commercial for swim suits. We drove for 2 hours and got to a pool that had steam coming off it. This was a problem because it was meant to look like summer so we had to wait all day for the pool to cool down to 50 degrees and then the camera man jumped in with 3 wetsuits on and I was told to dive in and swim the length of the pool. With teeth chattering and my skin turning blue and not really able to complain because I didn't know enough italian I did what I was asked and had to swim 7 times for the different takes.
Here is a very different beach photo that was taken in 1980 just before I left Australia for Europe and the December issue that was taken on one of my trips home in 1981. Yes Julie Skarratt was a Cosmopolitan Cover Girl.

The Hat Lunch

Yesterday was the most beautiful day and I was so excited to head up to Central Park for the Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon in the Conservatory Garden of Central Park. Gillian Miniter with co-chair Anne Harrison, Noreen Buckfire, Marcia Mishaan, and Sarah Robertson in the photograph to the right helped bring together 1236 guests, and in so doing raised $2,450,000. To see all the photos you can visit my website at Julie Skarratt Photography and click on View your Event

BCRF Spring Gala

Last night was the 16th Annual BCRF Spring Gala. Every year Elizabeth Hurley joins Evelyn Lauder in her endeavor to raise awareness and money for Breast Cancer research. This was the 10th year that Sir Elton John has come to play and Bette Midler came to read the Mayor's Proclamation declaring it Sir Elton John Day in NYC. Then Mrs Lauder surprised Sir Elton with a $100,000 donation made by John Demsey on behalf of Mac toward Sir Eltons own foundation. Sir Elton looked really surprised as Liz Hurley grinned at him with that big smile of hers. As always I was lucky enough to be on the stage and after Sir John finished singing I had to scramble to get a shot of them all.
This year there were lots of pink dresses and other bright colors. Here are a few of my favorites.

The Henry Ford Estate Dinner 2010

On Saturday I flew to Detroit to photograph the Henry Ford Estate Dinner. This has become an annual event on my calendar that I look forward to every year. As always Edsel and Cynthia Ford lit up the room when they arrived. This year the gala sold out way in advance and they raised over $350,000. Tiffany and Co added a little sparkle to the event and the 3 ladies who got to wear the jewels shone. You can see them in their diamonds in the photos and many thanks to Breon for organizing me to cover the event. After cocktails the guests were led to the ballroom by a fife and drum. To see all the photos you can visit my website at Julie Skarratt Photography and click on View your Event

American Museum of Natural History Spring Ball

Yesterday was a very busy day. After photographing the lunch for the Studio Museum I ran across town to location scout for Town and Country for a portrait I have to do next week then I ran back to my office, changed my cameras and clothes and headed back up town to the American Museum of Natural History. Spring has now really sprung and the black and dark colors of winter are hidden in the back of every one's closets.
It was amazing to walk into the foyer and find it lit with color and light as the bones of dinosaurs loomed above and then to go to the Ocean Room for dinner where the Whale lives.

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.