Two girls contemplating a dip. 6.50pm, Mackenzie’s Bay, Sydney, Australia.
Part of a series.
While we’re on the theme of musical instruments … here are some photos that I took recently which I think perfectly illustrate how effective it can be to have a “prop” on the set. The subject brought her violin along to the shoot, and amidst a flurry of family photos, we took some time out for a selection of individual portraits – just her and her instrument. It was a calming moment. As an extension of herself, and an expression of who she is, the violin helped to make the portrait that much more personal.
Meaningful objects can be a great addition to a portrait sitting. Think of a favorite teddy bear or toy train for a child, a grandparent with their signature bone china tea cup, or a favorite hat. It tells you that little bit more.
If you love the sound of Spanish and Argentine music (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), then don’t miss Two 2 Tango. I first heard this award-winning duo at an intimate gathering at Faust Harrison Pianos in New York City. It was unforgettable.
Pianists Benita Meshulam and Alison Brewster Franzetti began their collaboration more than a decade ago. Brought together through their love of Spanish and Latin American music, they have developed a repertoire that showcases the wonderful sound of two pianos. The energy and focus in their performance will have you completely immersed in their music. It is truly an experience.
I was lucky enough to photograph them during a break at one of their recent rehearsals. With a performance that evening, they were fine-tuning and tweaking. The banter was easy and their camaraderie evident.
You can catch this talented partnership on March 18 in New Jersey, at the Eastern Union County YM/YWHA Harry Lebau Jewish Center, 501 Green Lane, Union. They’ll play a one-piano, four-hand repertoire of works by Mozart, Rossini, Moszkowski, Montsalvatge, de Falla and Gershwin. If you miss that, you can see them in New York City on Sunday, April 22 at Klavierhaus, 211 West 58th Street. This will be a two-piano program with works by Infante, Carlos Franzetti (transcribed for two pianos by Allison) and Rachmaninoff.
Enjoy!
Looking for a gift idea for Valentine’s Day?
For all photo shoots booked by February 14, receive 50% off the regular shoot fee.
Gift cards available.
All that graffiti in the Meatpacking District makes a great backdrop.
On a not-too-chilly morning we walked the streets, taking in the wonderful colors and textures of the spray-painted art and torn-off posters that bring those brick and concrete walls to life. We also found some great doorways in wonderful hues. Perfect for photographs. Then it was off to the Standard Bar & Grill nearby for some seriously good hot chocolate.
Give kids an opportunity to role play, and they’ll usually grab the chance with both hands. For this holiday card, the concept was to create a “gallery” that featured each child as a work of art. Prior to the shoot, the children sat down on the floor, surrounded by images of paintings and sculptures from galleries around the world. Then the fun began. Poses were struck, ideas sampled and discarded, and then finally each child chose the work that most appealed. With costumes and props at the ready, they took their places and became their own little masterpieces.
Pictured from left to right: Edgar Degas’ The Little Fourteen Year-Old Dancer; Sylvia Shaw Judson’s Bird Girl, and Paul Gauguin’s Self-Portrait with Hat.
Unpacking boxes, finding new schools, searching for local handymen .. moving house and settling in to a new neighborhood is generally an exhausting experience. But for one Westchester family, all that frenetic activity was inspiration for a photo shoot. With the holiday season just around the corner, and friends and family to be notified of a new address, this dynamic couple seized the moment. A photo session in the backyard of the new home on a crisp afternoon made the perfect greeting card.
Fall is my favorite time of year – it’s that delicious period between the heat and humidity of Summer, and the frigidity of Winter. It’s a time when kids can play outside for hours – no sunburn, no bugs, no frozen fingers and toes.
I just spent an afternoon with a family in Rye in their gorgeous backyard – the leaves just starting to turn, and enough greenery to create lovely areas of shade and light. We did some more formal shots, and then the children changed into comfortable casual and I followed them around as they fished and explored in their own little wilderness.
I really wanted to share these two photos that I took recently at Tamarama Beach, in Sydney, Australia. This city revolves around the water – the spectacular harbor and the beautiful beaches. When school is out for the day, and the surf’s up, you’ll see kids of all sizes in wetsuits heading to the beach. Body-surfing and board-riding is a serious after school activity – kids will surf and swim until it’s dark. Math can wait.
I was watching the kids from the cliff top one afternoon and saw a pod of dolphins swim in. They seemed to want to hang out for a while just beyond the board-riders, and then they moved on.
