New York Botanical Garden Conservatory Ball

Ok so lets face it, June has been a great month and seen me all over the place. I've been to Nashville, Mexico and Lancaster County, but way back when the days were just beginning to show the signs that summer was here, I headed up to the New York Botanical Garden Conservatory Ball. The weather was perfect and everyone was happy that the storms that had been forecast earlier that week did not happen. After cocktails in the garden the guests headed for the tent. After dinner the first person on the dance floor was Christian Leone. I need to say that that man can DANCE! Lucky for him there are always a group of partners eager to be spun off their feet. Or should I say lucky for them. No one ever leaves the dance floor with out a giddy smile and those around them are caught up in the magic of dips and twirls. To see all the photos you can visit my website at Julie Skarratt Photography and click on View your Event

July Town & Country

I love getting the new issues of Town & Country Magazine but this month was really special for me.
I had 3 party pages at the front and then a portrait of Sheryl WuDunn that I shot at my home a few months ago. Sheryl is one of the world's foremost voices demanding better treatment for women. If you get a chance read her book Half the Sky. I could not put it down.
Then there was the portrait of Lauren Bush and her business partner Jacqueline Ytuarta that I photographed in Lauren's Apartment-design studio. I have to thank Mary Shanahan who is the creative Director at Town & Country. She found the time to make it to both shoots and her support and input were invaluable.
Then last but not least I turned to the wedding pages and there were Arjun and Tamara who's wedding I shot at the Essex House in January with the help of organiser extrodinaire James Abel.
So I hope you pick up a copy at the news stand and help keep magazines alive while enjoying flipping through the pages.

Daisy Baker leaps into the picture

I am just back from a quick trip to Florida where I met and photographed the beautiful Daisy Baker. At 6'1" she is a really head turner and I wish her lots of luck as she comes to NY to give modeling a try over her school vacation.

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.