Martina Arroyo in the 36th Annual Kennedy Center Honors (see film clip below)

I had the pleasure of working with Martina Arroyo, 3 years ago for Opera News Magazine.

On December 8th, 2013 she was honored at The Kennedy Center by President Obama along with Herbie Hancock, Shirley MacLaine, Billy Joel and Carlos Santana for their lifetime contributions to the arts in America. The broadcast of the Kennedy Center Honors will be shown on CBS, Sunday Dec. 29th at 9PM (EST). 

In addition to the celebration of each honoree by peers there is a short film on the life of each artist. The Kennedy Center Film office contacted me for pictures of Martina. After sending them a selection of images they were excited to use 32 images as a flip book in the short film they produced on Martina's life. These still images now seen as a part of the film illustrate the wonderful effervescent personality of an extraordinary person. If you watch the show you will learn how a young Harlem girl grew up to become a world renown opera singer. The audio is of her singing with Placido Domingo from Verdi's, Un Ballo in Maschera.

SUZANNE TICK, Textile Designer Extraordinaire

Meet Suzanne Tick an impressive creative and friend. I have know Suzanne for many years and possibly you have too. Perhaps not directly but through her work that brings warmth and comfort to our homes, offices and public spaces. Maybe you saw her art hanging at The Cooper Hewitt Museum or at a gallery exhibit where she wove thousands of discarded dry cleaner's hangers into a sculpture. Suzanne currently runs a NYC design studio specializing in material design, product design and development.
 
I spent part of a day with her in her East Village offices in a wonderful building where the basement has a loom for her weaving and the ground floor and first floor her offices. It's a very active studio between deadlines for carpet design and fabric design. Suzanne was a joy to have in front of my camera. This is why I love what I do, on any day, I am able to walk in and experience other peoples lives.

Always on the go traveling the world for philanthropy and work, she still finds time for her weaving. A recent paper wall hanging was made from recycled office papers woven like a shag rug that she calls, "Pulp Fiction". Visit her website to see samples of her work and art.

MONTANA 2013

I just returned from Whitefish, Montana and my yearly trip to go fly fishing. One of my best friends and I fly in and meet his son, who just happens to be a local fly fishing guide. We fish, camp out and party. This year we explored the North Fork of the Flathead River and the Thompson River. The picture below is the Flathead River from our camp site. The rains came in that night so we moved on to the Thompson and fished for 3 days on the upper, lower and middle sections of the river. It's a stream that cuts through the mountains with lots of grass lands. We are always joined by Tully who watches out for us. One of our fishing friends happened to get married the weekend we arrived and I was on hand to capture my first Montana wedding. That's Stillwater Lake in the background. I love this state at any time of the year. By the way the picture of Tully has Glacier Park in the background which is closed since Congress can't get their act together.

SONYA ROBINSON, THE MANY FACES

Meet Sonya Robinson, jazz violinist and violist. I can't wait for the upcoming release of her new music that has some country and a mix of sophisticated jazz. We came up with the concept of using the same location with two different looks for her upcoming CD. The third photo is a modern day homage to Pam Grier's 1970 look. Many thanks to Karen Sherwood who found the clothes and Chuck Jensen for the hair and make-up. My wonderful neighbors also lent us their porch. A great way to spend a day.

ANDREW GLOVER YOUTH PROGRAM 2013

The sun and heat last week was oppressive in NYC but with the help of my crew and cooperative subjects we were able to still shoot on Thursday for this years campaign. The pictures don't show the 100 degree temperature, it's seems like an oasis.  Pastor Phil from Trinity Church on 9th St and Avenue B, let us use his roof for the shoot. Many thanks go out to him and his organization for their support. We had lots of cold water and good will from our volunteers. These portraits get used for the annual gala invitation, gala program and posters at the event. Please join us in October at Chelsea Piers for the gala or donate to an organization that really goes to bat for the youth of our city. 

Over the years, it has been a pleasure to get to know the youth in the program and see the progress they have made through hard work. To see more of my images from the past years go to the AGYP website. Thank you to all who helped make this years pictures happen.

AMAGANSETT SEA SALT

I recently had the pleasure of spending "a day in the life" with my friend, Steve Judelson co-owner of Amagansett Sea Salt out on the east coast of Long Island. Steve and his wife Natalie started the artisanal food company two years ago. They have captured the distinct flavors of the Hamptons beach air and aromas within a variety of unique finishing salts. The pictures illustrate the process of collection, evaporation and bottling. Our spring day started very early with a trip to Atlantic Beach in Amagansett hauling water to the farm, further inland. The evaporation trays are aligned in perfect rows with white plastic covers to allow the sun to do the magic. Depending on the time of year the salt evaporates to crystal form in a span of days. The trays are organized in stages of evaporation. Nearby the birds are sitting on the fence watching every move and talking amongst themselves. Harvesting is a many step process of sorting and screening. The bottling and bagging is handled at home. Natalie is the keeper of the secret formulas for the different flavors; Merlot, Sag Harbor, Lazy Point, Lemon, herbes de Provence, Truffle, East Hampton, Orient Point etc. In pursuit of local flavors they have partnered with some local vineyards to make finishing salts with the flavors of the wines and have mixed herbs for other varieties. You can meet Steve and Natalie at many farmers markets out east and taste the salts. Many of the local stores now stock the salt and restaurants from Manhattan to the Hamptons are using it in imaginative ways. 11 Madison in NYC has been a major supporter of this salt. If you happen to be at the Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center at the end of the month please stop by the booth and meet my good friends.

DAVID DANIELS for OPERA NEWS

 

David Daniels arrived at 10 am for the cover photo shoot after singing the lead in Giulio Caesar, the four and a half hour Handel opera at the Met the night before. The NYT review had just hit the stands with a full endorsement of his performance, "full-bodied sound, emphatic delivery and technical command." I have had the privledge of photographing many covers for Opera News over the years with Gregory Downer, the art director. The task at hand was to photograph David at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park to highlight his upcoming project of Oscar. This new opera in production at the Sante Fe Opera which depicts the story of Oscar Wilde's life, while looking back at his life from his stay in prison. The Arts Club is from the mid 1800's and is maintained in beautiful condition. Oscar Wilde would have felt comfortable amongst all the antiques. The location in all it's Victorian splendor had so many wonderful possibilities for portraits. David made himself at home and the result is the rich cover and an inside photo in an adjacent room with framed portraits of past and current members of the National Arts Club. Its a wonderful NYC location worth visiting. For me the chance to work with David again and experience the club was truly memorable. Pick up the magazine on the stands or go to this link to see the online version and subscribe.

BAD KITTY by NICK BRUEL

Meet Nick Bruel, the latest illustrator to appear in my portrait series. He is the very talented creator of the children's book series, Bad Kitty. Macmillan Books had asked me to bring the creator behind the illustrations to life. I had a great day watching Kitty come alive and working with Nick to let the Bad Kitty emerge from his personality. Nick walked out with an eight foot "Bad Kitty" and I got a lot of amusing pictures. Thanks Nick!

WIESBADEN, GERMANY

Exploring Wiesbaden before the new year I crossed underground to the train station. I walked into an underworld that exploded with commuters every few minutes. I felt like a fish in the dark blue sea.

PRAIRIES OF NORTHERN MONTANA

Flyfishing for trout is a passion of mine. October found me in Northern Montana driving through the prairies in Lewis and Clark County through the towns of Craig, Augusta, Chester and Wolf Creek with a few good friends. We were able to fish the Smith River, The Marias River, The Sun River and of course the Missouri River (better known as the misery, for tricky fishing). The prairies of Montana are breathtaking in the fall. The fields of wheat have been harvested but the stalks that remain meet at the horizon in a chorus of blues, tans and amber that fill your heart with joy. Cracked open, the fields yield to rivers of all sizes. These river valleys are pictured below. The weather changed from 70's to the 40's and nighttime bringing snow and 20's. Camping out under the full moon with a roaring fire a little libations and many layers of clothes, your soul is warmed by the sounds of the wilderness and a day spent enjoying nature to the fullest.

SHANA FARR - OUT OF THE SHADOWS

Meet Shana Farr, cabaret singer and jewelry designer. We had a great time playing with images that showed shadows and emerging light, for her album "Out of the Shadows".  You can see her in performance at the Rose Theater on October 17th. It's all part of the New York Cabaret Convention. To sample a selection of her singing go to http://shanafarr.com. In addition to performing Shana has been busy launching a sterling silver jewelry line called "Pure Imagination" based on the lyrics of the song.

NOLAN ON THE STATE OF THE UNION

I would like to introduce you to my new friend, Nolan. We got a chance to spend some time last Friday talking about the political scene today in our nation. He was quite demonstrative about the lack of cooperation in congress. In the near future he would like to see the parties get down to business on the big issues of today. He is also concerned that people get out and vote in November. 

"Just remember it's up to each and everyone to do their part."

Have a great Holiday!

ANDREW GLOVER YOUTH PROGRAM 2012

The Andrew Glover Youth Program is an alternate sentencing program that works with the courts intervening on behalf of first time juvenile offenders. This organization is so needed in our city to help steer kids away from a life of crime.

Last week I spent a day at the East Harlem Center and one at the Lower East Side Center. I had decided to shoot tight intimate portraits to capture the personality and faces of the kids. They are an amazing group of New Yorkers, who given a chance to explore and learn will blossom. Check out the website for more information, http://www.agyp.org/.

PETER de SEVE IN HIS STUDIO

You might have seen Peter's illustrations on the cover of The New Yorker or in the previous

"Ice Age" movies. There is another movie coming out this month, "Ice Age Continental Drift". Peter is an amazing artist, his imaginative characters take on the personality of the people or animals in his real world.  I have had the pleasure of photographing Peter before when he drew himself into the illustration below as a contribution to my "Illustration Project". His characters are uniquely an extension of his wonderful and creative personality.

http://www.peterdeseve.com/

JOEL VOISARD LIGHT SCULPTURES ENTERTAIN

Joel's sculptures are whimsical and animated.These characters are crafted from found objects into living "light" beings. Most days you can find Joel in his studio in LIC or on Sundays at the Brooklyn Flea selling hand crafted furniture. http://voisard3d.com/

"WHAT DRIVES YOU?"

How has your your upbringing contributed to what you have achieved? Were the experiences you had as a teenager, something you now regret or cherish? How have those experiences contributed to who you  are now in the world? Do you sometimes come up with new answers for these questions? I know that at different points in my life the answers changed but throughout my years, the questions have stayed the same. I think questioning is the answer.

HOW DO YOU REACT WHEN SOMEONE PAYS YOU A COMPLIMENT?

Do you blush? Do you smile? Do you question their motives? Do you deny it, or embrace it, or do you simply say thank you?  Celebrate who you are! There is no one exactly like you.  Happy New Year!
Postcard #5 Interpose.

WHAT DID YOU "ALWAYS WANT TO BE" WHEN YOU WERE A KID?

I never dreamed I'd be a photographer as a youngster. Doctor and fireman were always high on my list.  I've always excelled in math and sciences, so being a doctor's path had been somewhat implied. Photography was a sideline in school that became a more serious desire three years into college. I realized the life I was pursuing was not the life I wanted. After a brief bar tending stint in New Orleans, I came to New York City and found a job as a photographer's assistant. The rest is my history.  
I have traveled the world capturing images of people. This is my passion. What's yours?
This is Jasper, she is one of my warriors from the American Heart Association Campaign. Luckily she has many years to dream about what she wants from her life.

"blank" IS THE NEW COOL!

What do you think is the new cool? I think Estelle is....Not only is she passionate about music, but also acting and writing.  And she's still the same small town southern girl with big city coolness.  Polymath is Estelle's word for cool. Check out what she has been up to at her website; http://estellebajou.com

SUBMIT YOUR CAPTION FOR OUR POSTCARD IMAGE (Hint: make it playful!)

Meet Drew Dernavich, cartoonist extraordinaire. His humor and irreverence can be experienced weekly on the pages of The New Yorker.

Have you ever tried to come up with a line for the cartoon on the back page of the New Yorker. About a recent cartoon Drew created, I asked him what his caption was... His answer was completely different from the winning caption. As a matter of fact, Drew thought the winning line was better!

What's your caption for our postcard image? Comments are open.

Andrew Glover Gala on October 25th

Building Brighter Futures for New York Youth  http://www.agyp.org/ 
Tickets are still available for the gala Dinner and Auction at the Lighthouse in Chelsea Piers.
Hope to see you there.

Q&A: WHO'S ON YOUR A-TEAM?

Hint: You can include friends, mentors, or anyone who is influential in your life.


For many years I have been doing portraits of the kids associated with the Andrew Glover Youth Program. These are kids growing up in the housing projects on the lower east side. They are wonderful spirited New Yorkers who need attention, support, and mentors. They flourish in front of the camera. The Glover Program helps these kids complete their education and find jobs. Who might these kids be without the Glover Program as their A-Team?  The Andrew Glover Youth Program

 Subscribe to my blog to see the whole campaign unfold regularly through March 2012.

RED HOOK, BROOKLYN

It was a hot Saturday in Brooklyn and the locals were enjoying the water.  The dares were being exchanged but all in jest.
Louis Valentino Junior Park on Coffey St. has the best view of Lady Liberty and a great pier for fishing, kyacking and jumping off.