Category: Documentary Photography

Hillrock Distillery, right here in Ancram, has their Spring Open House Saturday, June 15 from 12-5pm. They’re introducing their new Single Malt Whiskey, and George Washington’s Rye Whiskey, which is through a partnership with George Washington’s Distillery at Historic Mount Vernon. You can taste these, as well as their Solera Aged Bourbon. Wonderful chance to meet the great folks who are bringing out these field-to-glass whiskeys, tour the distillery, and see Ancram beauty! Here are photos I made for Hillrock’s new whiskeys, and at their grand opening November 2012. It’s fun and interesting–come on out!

B. Docktor specializes in capturing the spirit, mission, and energy of businesses, non-profits, farms, schools, dance companies. To show what makes your organization special, call B. Docktor at 518-329-6239.

The owner of the P.J. Clarke’s restaurants, Phil Scotti, told me that P.J. Clarke’s has the best bartenders in Manhattan. He wanted me to use my ability to capture real moments, to show people at their best, and to convey what really goes on in photographs for the P.J. Clarke’s website. What a fun job! I spent a few days going from their legendary original location at 915 Third Avenue, to the vibrant 44 West 63rd restaurant across from Lincoln Center, to the P.J. Clarke’s on the Hudson at 4 World Financial Center. At each place, I could see why people love to go there–everyone is welcoming, the food is great, and the bartenders are so friendly! I really enjoyed watching them interact with the folks at the bar. Not that I have spent much time hanging out at bars–but I never before had seen bartenders saying hello and shaking hands. I also love the classic look–all in white shirt and black tie. There is a timeless feel about these bars–especially the uptown locations. I love making photographs that stand the test of time, and I think these photos will do that. I never get tired of looking at a photo that makes me smile, and these images do that for me–it’s hard to tell what year it is, and there’s sense of joy and connection that comes through these bartenders’ faces. Have any great stories about hanging out at P.J. Clarke’s? 

This year marks the 100th birthday of the Roe Jan Community Library, which serves Hillsdale, Copake, and Ancram. The 3-year-old new building on Rt. 22 just south of Hillsdale has been such a fantastic thing for our community. First of all, it’s a really nice, comfortable, bright and airy space. And there is so much going on there–from Toddler Wiggle Time, to book groups, writers’ groups, yoga class, art exhibits, concerts, author’s presentations, and various workshops.

To commemorate the big birthday, I was asked to make a photographic portrait of the community, which features people using the library, staff, donors, board, the concerts and art shows. We also decided to make some of the portraits of folks outside of the library–in their homes, or doing what they do outside. I’ve enjoyed this tremendously as it gave me the chance to document all that’s going on, and meet lots of interesting and talented people, and so many volunteers who give their time so generously.

Saturday June 8, from 5-7:30pm is the 4th annual gala to be held at Camp Pontiac in Copake. It will be a lively event with cabaret performance by Laurel Massé, jazz by The Mike Schiffer Trio, silent and live auctions, and hors d’oeuvres from local chefs, as well as a slideshow of the photographs I’ve been working on. Here are a few to show you what I’ve been up to:

The Roeliff Jansen Community Library

Sculptor Leon Smith created the large green chair that sits outside the library.

The Troy Children’s Chorus in concert

Librarian Beth Adams leads Toddler Wiggle Time

High School student, runner, library youth team member Louisa Dodds

Major donor, Ben Lipstein

Susan & Julie got married last weekend! I’m so glad that my friend Susan agreed to write this post, and tell a bit of their story. Here it is:

As children, neither of us would have believed that in our 50s, we would find our hearts in a person from another country. As little as five years ago, neither of us would have believed that Marriage Equality would have evolved to a place where we could legally marry each other.  And yet, here we are, two women from the United States and Australia, standing in one of the prettiest places in God’s vast sanctuary, pledging to respect, love, comfort and honor each other as wedded partners-in-life.

We are not home-free (so to speak) yet.  Until DOMA is repealed, or until immigration laws change, Susan is still not able to sponsor Julie for a permanent residency visa (Green Card).  Same-sex bi-national spouses still wait for this right, among others, that are granted to heterosexual couples, but that are denied to us. We trudge back and forth between the US and Australia every 90 days, so that we do not breach any immigration laws.

We had decided to cast our luck to the heavens and plan an outdoor wedding in the middle of March. Kind of crazy, given that we live in New York State, and that our March weather is totally unpredictable, don’t you think? But Lady Luck was with us on our special day, and the sun broke through the canopy during the ceremony.

We chose B. Docktor to memorialize our ceremony for a number of reasons. First, and foremost, she is our friend. She is located in the Hudson Valley, where we live, and where we chose to marry. Because of the time of year (cold!), and because of the distance from many of our biological family members (Australia!), we wanted someone to capture our joy, our tears, and our happiness. Having seen, firsthand, B’s work, we knew that we could trust her to be the eyes for those who could not attend.

B was “along for the ride” when we came to the New Forge State Forest to locate a small, intimate, flat place in which to have our ceremony.  She captured our excitement on that cold, icy day in February with candid photos that really show us having fun.  On our wedding day, even our pets were involved in the pictures (no, we didn’t make them ring bearers!).

Getting married takes quite a bit of planning, even if there are only five people at the ceremony. Working with B Docktor wiped a potential stressor OFF the list. We loved her energy, her absolute unobtrusiveness during the ceremony, and her respect for us, both as clients and as friends.

We are thrilled with our pictures, as are our friends and family.

We wait, with bated breath, and with fingers crossed, to be considered “normal” people and “normal” spouses – hoping that all three of the United States branches of government will soon agree that same-sex couples are deserving of liberty and justice for all.

Dance photography is one of my favorite things to do. It’s challenging, but I love working at getting just the right moment to make you feel like you were there seeing it with me. This is Parsons Dance doing Bachiana in 2011 at the Joyce Theatre in New York. Beautiful choreography by David Parsons. Fabulous dancers  Eric Bourne, Steven Vaughn, and Miguel Quinones. Gorgeous lighting by Howell Binkley. 

This photo below was made a few years ago when the Hudson Opera House invited some artists to make images in the Opera House. This is beautiful dancer Erin Reck, who played with me to come up with some wonderful images.

Late last summer I got a request from Kate Osofsky to make some photos of her and her father Rick Osofsky for Ronnybrook Farm. They are both graduates of Wesleyan University, which is now using their dairy products in their cafeteria. Wesleyan wanted some photos of father & daughter, and we ended up making a lot of images of the three generations involved with the farm now, starting with Rick & Ronny. The middle generation: Kate and her brother Peter, and cousin Daniel are all involved in day-to-day operation of this New York dairy farm. I had already photographed the farm the previous year when my town of Ancram asked me to make images of Ancram farms for our Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan. I was delighted to get the chance to know the Osofsky family a little better, photograph their workers, and a bit of the bottling operation. We’ve got a slideshow video in the works for their website, and I am honored to be helping get the word out about this wonderful local, family farm. They work so hard!

Sunday March 17th, 2013 the Crandell Theatre in Chatham, NY has Farm Film Fest V from 1-4pm. One of the films is Milk, which features the Osofsky family, who have been milking in the Hudson Valley since the 1940s. I’ve seen it, and it’s great! Hope you enjoy these  photos of this gorgeous Hudson Valley farm in Ancramdale, NY.

The other night I witnessed one of those unforgettable nights of musical performance in New York City. My mom is a subscriber and was able to get us great seats for the New York Philharmonic’s gorgeous presentation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel.They only did 5 performances (the last one is tonight), so I feel especially lucky to have seen it.

I am so fortunate that my parents always loved theater, music and dance and treated me to many wonderful theatre experiences as I grew up. This particular production was full of music and people that have touched me deeply. First, the music and lyrics, which are so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes just hearing some of those melodies. In the “Playbill,” I read that TIME magazine named Carousel the Best Musical of the 20th century, and Rodgers said it was his favorite of all of his musicals.

And the performers! Broadway stars Kelli O’Hara, Jason Danieley, Jessie Mueller, John Cullum, and Met Opera stars Nathan Gunn and Stephanie Blythe. They were all fantastic. It also featured John Cullum, who starred with Barbara Harris in the very first Broadway show I ever saw, in 1966:  On A Clear Day You Can See Forever. I wonder how many hundreds of times I listened to that album?

Kelli O’Hara played Julie Jordan

I saw Kelli O’Hara in South Pacific and Nice Work If You Can Get It, and she is just too wonderful. Nathan Gunn and Stephanie Blythe both have wondrous voices.

Nathan Gunn, who played Billy Bigelow, at curtain call

Kelli O’Hara and Nathan Gunn at curtain call

Stephanie Blythe played Nettie Fowler, Kelli O’Hara, Nathan Gunn

John Cullum at curtain call

Jason Danieley played Enoch Snow, and Jessie Mueller played Carrie Pipperidge

Tiler Peck and Robert Fairchild had a wonderful dance duet together. Both dance with New York City Ballet.

Jason Danieley and Jessie Mueller heading for their curtain call

Conductor Rob Fisher, Kelli O’Hara, Nathan Gunn, Messie Mueller, Jason Danieley, Andie Mechanic, Shuler Hensley

Kelli O’Hara, Nathan Gunn, Jessie Mueller, Jason Danieley, Andie Mechanic

I was especially excited to see Jason Danieley because I met him two years ago when he and his wife, Marin Mazzie performed at the gala for my local public library. The connection has extra meaning for me because the Roe Jan Library gifted them with one of my photographs to thank them for performing.

I recently met an amazing woman who is about to embark on a mind-blowing project. Rosalynn Frederick is going to run across the USA to raise funds for disadvantaged youth so that they can travel with their schools and youth groups. She has served in the Peace Corps and her life has been shaped by her travels. After teaching Spanish for seven years, she decided to push herself to the limit and do something that will have major impact on the lives of kids who would not normally get to travel. I so admire her! We did a photo session here in Ancram last month, and we’ve made a video to explain what she is up to. Hopefully this kind of promotional video will really help her to raise funds and bring awareness to this fantastic endeavor. I loved every part of this–getting to know someone who is up to doing BIG things, making great photos of a runner, and creating a video that is beautiful and has a higher purpose. To learn more about the fund, and to donate: click here.