TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION... HONORABLE MENTION, IPA 2018

The International Photography Awards conducts an annual photography competition for professional, non-professional, and student photographers on a global level, creating one of the most ambitious and comprehensive competitions in the photography world today. The IPA recognizes photography’s leading talents who are creating, shaping, and defining the world of photography today.

Truly honored to be part of this conversation. I am deeply moved, restlessly inspired, and fully humbled by this group of photographers and jury members. The photos we made for consideration were part of two series I shot earlier this year. Young actors (including my son) portraying the impossible journey of refugee children in Naomi Iiuzuka's "Anon (ymous)". And, Juilliard-trained virtuoso musicians ("Noree Chamber Soloists") beautifully cultivating a passion for classical music in young audiences. Both portrait series are really about facing our fears, looking into the storm, and actually making something in a world that often pushes back, sometimes with great success. These photos would be impossible without the generosity and bravery of these courageous subjects, the support of John McEneny (Piper Theatre) and Michael Saarela, and the hospitality of Tibi and Amy Wallin Smilovic.

ipa ~ International Photography Awards

Peter Pan, The Piper Theatre Production (Summer 2018)

This Summer, the amazing talents of the Piper Theatre community will bring Peter Pan to their main stage. Last week, I had the wonderful pleasure of wandering the woods of Prospect Park with its lead actors, Caleb Donahoe (Peter) and Eliza Shea (Wendy). We tried to think Edwardian. I think we did pretty well. 

The themes of this story continue to provoke me, maybe now more than ever. As a dad of a just-teen boy, I am acutely aware of the conflicts between the innocence of childhood and the responsibilities of being adult. I think I see more of myself in Wendy, though I've always been drawn to characters like Peter. 

Stay tuned for updates and showtimes. I am certain you will be enchanted by these two extremely gifted actors and the charms of watching wonderful theater outside on a summer night.

Living Proof (Opioid Addiction Treatment Campaign)

"More New Yorkers die of drug overdoses than homicides, suicides and car crashes combined. Over 80% of drug overdoses in the city involve opioids, which include heroin and prescription painkillers, such as:

  • Heroin
  • Morphine
  • Oxycodone
  • Hydrocodone
  • Fentanyl

Recently fentanyl, a drug that is 50 times more powerful than heroin, has been showing up in heroin, cocaine, pills marked as Xanax® and other drugs. Fentanyl was involved in nearly half of the overdose deaths in NYC in 2016.

Not everyone who takes opioids (or other drugs) will develop an addiction, but for those who do, help is available in NYC. Getting help for an addiction does not mean having to leave home, a job or school." - NYC DOH

If you take the subway in NYC this spring, you're likely to see this campaign, it's everywhere!

Many thanks to the amazing teams at the NYC DOH, Thrive NYC, Sherry Matthews Advocacy Marketing, and Corra Films. It was an honor to work with these incredibly brave subjects, each battling to find their new way. Profoundly inspired. Let's hope they are able to shine a light for others to follow. 

Lord of the Flies (2018)

They may be 11-12 years old ... they are also complex, introspective, and profound. We made these portraits to hang in the halls of MS51 as a legacy, a tribute to these brave souls and this generation of leaders who stare directly into the heart of darkness. Let future generations look into these eyes and learn from their courage and compassion.

First Responders | Women

There are over ONE MILLION fire fighters in the United States, only 7% are women. (NFPA)

In 2013, Mercedes Benz invited us to travel across the country to meet some truly spectacular first responders. It was an experience that will stay with me forever. Many thanks to the city of Palo Alto, California and especially Captain Catherine Capriles. She opened her community to us and taught us what service is really all about. 

Below are a few portraits I shot of Elena Maskalik. She works for the San Jose Fire Department. For her, fire-fighting is a way to give back, a way to make a connection with people on a daily basis. A Ukrainian immigrant, San Jose was her gateway to the United States. She is deeply-honored to be able to serve those who first welcomed her. 

Michelle Wake | To Disappear

Bathed in the magnificent warmth of an early June sunrise, together Michelle and I made this photo in the Staten Island Ferry's St. George Terminal. It was the first time I met her. We spent a couple hours riding the ferry back and forth, getting a little sea sick, getting to know a bit about each other. The accidents of light, the precious privacy of early morning, taking a mysterious adventure together, the loop of her haunting music echoing in my thoughts, it was a bit of time that keeps on. 

I'm thrilled to share that Michelle's latest album, "To Disappear," is available today. You can check it out HERE!

Thank you Michelle. Congrats! The album is exquisitely you. 

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When Honorable Mention is truly the goal ...

I just learned that I was awarded 5 Honorable Mention certificates by the IPA. The 2017 IPA Awards considered work from 14,000 entries, representing 165 countries. I'm thrilled to feel their welcome, to be at home in this dynamic, extremely diverse group of artists. Many thanks to the jurors.

I've spent a lot of this year trying to look closer, to try and see the world as nearer. Each of these photos was part of that effort. Each was made with the incredible, generous, loving help of others. I share this recognition with my friends and neighbors, with Brooklyn, with my family. And especially with Karl, Ben, Anett, and Traci.

Community Health Starts Here

So very proud that I was able to be a part of this VERY successful effort. Photos and design by Amar Productions. 

"Today, we celebrate: 4 local School Based Health Clinics (SBHCs) that were slated to close will stay OPEN for another year! Thanks to the hard work of a coalition of parents, schools, nurses, advocates, and elected officials for saving these clinics!

Recent state budget cuts, a change to funding methodology, and an upcoming carve-in to medicaid managed care created underfunding to SBHCs. While 4 local centers had been slated to close, their sponsor SUNY Downstate Medical, in response to community advocacy efforts, has decided that it will continue to operate the 4 SBHCs next school year despite the budget cuts they received. I am grateful that SUNY Downstate has stepped up for our children, but recognize the need to ensure the long-term viability of the SBHCs.

SBHCs provide free health services at schools and are a critical safety-net for immigrants and the uninsured. SBHCs are a cost-effective way to deliver primary and preventive care, manage chronic illnesses, first aid, reproductive health care, mental health, & more. From asthma and diabetes to food allergies and anxiety, these clinics can provide the difference between life and death for many of our schoolchildren.

Thanks to the coalition work of parents, officials, and health care workers from M.S. 51 William Alexander; Brooklyn New School and Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies; P.S. 38 the Pacific School; the School for International Studies; along with Assemblymember Robert Carroll, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Council Member Brad Lander, the NY School-Based Health Alliance, NYS Nurses Association, Public Advocate Letitia James, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and many others!"   - Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon

The Newswomen's Club of New York

This week I had the great honor of having my work included in the Newswomen's Club of New York 2017 Spring Photography Show (and Auction). 

"Established in 1922, The Newswomen’s Club of New York is the only professional organization exclusively for women journalists in the New York metropolitan area. Our membership includes women who work in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, photography and new media. As the news industry undergoes rapid change, we strive to uphold the values that are the hallmarks of good journalism, maintaining the public trust."

Cynthia Daignault @ The Flag Art Foundation

In a tower rising, in a gallery world, where the noise of the street, the chaos and grime of the rest, are quieted - Cynthia Daignault gives us appropriation as collaboration on the 10th floor of the Flag Art Foundation. 

Thanks again to LaPlaca Cohen for the invite and to The Flag Art Foundation for the hospitality. 

Flag Art Foundation

Cynthia Daignault

LaPlaca Cohen

The Joyce Theater, where dance is.

In 1989 I left Louisville, Kentucky for college. Four and a half hours north, wandering Middle Path, I stumbled upon the hillside sanctuary of Kenyon College's dance studio. There, emboldened by the kindness and passion of dancer | professor | choreographer Maggie Patton, I observed the best and studied from the best. Almost by accident, I discovered an essential passion within me. 

At that time, central Ohio was (and probably still is) a center of the dance world. Every show we saw was world class. It was all we knew. 

When I moved to New York City in 1994, I needed to find the familiar. I needed to get out of my taunting apartment, to resist the disorienting terror of this enormous place. The Joyce Theater, it's art deco sign reminding me of the Vogue back home, became a new hillside sanctuary. Pilobolus was the first show I saw there. And, that night might have been the first time I was able to really fill my lungs since moving to the city. My brain expelled the toxic fears, my imagination was on fire.

It is not original to say this city invites the best to claw and grapple with every new obstacle. It is here that some triumph, many struggle, and all fail (some better than others). We find transformation in unexpected places. The Joyce reminds me that herein lies the extraordinary. 

Warmest thanks to my friends at LaPlaca Cohen and the Joyce Theater for allowing me to wander and share a quiet moment in this essential temple | foundation | theater | school. The Joyce is dance, and for 150,00 audience members each year, it is a warm, intimate, welcoming invitation to witness greatness. 

The Joyce Theater

LaPlaca Cohen

Pilobolus Art Organization

School Play

The very first week of middle school, in the overwhelming haze of new place, new faces, new patterns, Dakota's drama teacher asked for volunteers to go with him one evening to a process drama workshop at NYU. 20 Kids would be allowed to come, first come, first serve. It was a feeding frenzy. Dakota called me from school, I would have to meet him out front precisely at dismissal so that I could sign his form and he could return it as fast as possible. That evening, those fortunate kids, those who didn't even know each other at all, performed improvisational drama for a group of graduate school students. I would have been incredibly intimidated. They literally exposed their souls. Such bravery. 

Now, a few months later, those same kids (along with the entire 6th grade drama department) take the stage to perform an interpretation of Hansel and Gretel. 

I know I'm a proud dad, but, these kids are fearless, deeply talented artists.