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.

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.

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.