Moody

A couple moody portraits from day 0. I'm already exhausted so now I must sleep.

In Case You Were Wondering

In case you were wondering, above is the schedule for NY Fashion Week. Like I said, It's going to be a long week. I'm not really sure how they expect me to be 3, sometimes 4 places at once, hell, sometimes even being one place at once is difficult for me. . . . . . . i don't even know what that means? Anyway, I'll do my best to collect some interesting backstage shots all while fighting to secure a good spot to shoot the runway. Wish me luck!

Everyone, Just Stay Away

It's been a little over a year since I've been sick. There was about a 3 day period over Christmas where I felt under the weather, but more than anything I was just worried that I would ruin other peoples holidays if I went out, so I stayed in for a few days. Other than that, I was the model of health in 2007. But now I'm starting to get worried. Everyone around me is getting sick, roommates, make-up artists, heck, even my stylist is sick and it's her birthday today! You're not supposed to get sick on your birthday, especially when you were planning another birthday bash at Gutter, (see it's catching on). Next week is hell week for me, and I can't afford to get sick, so if you want my company the next few days, when I'm not washing my hands, I'll be glad to speak with you over the phone or via email. Otherwise, I'll see you in 10 days.

On a side note, I saw Alessanda Ambrosia the other day at the movie theater on my corner. She is a totally different level of hot, I actually found myself staring at her, let's just say the dude she was with didn't really appreciate it. I saw her once before in my neighborhood, getting out of a cab with a friend on 33rd and 3rd. Who knows, maybe my neighborhood is becoming a cool place to live? . . . . . . . . . probably not.

Magda

Well, it's the Monday before Fashion Week, and so my mission to put on 10 lbs before Friday has begun. See, by the time Fashion Week is over I will have lost about 10 lbs, running from show to show, barely getting a chance to grab a sandwich, all while carrying about 25 lbs of equipment on my back. So glamorous! So my thought process is that if I put on 10 lbs before the shows begin, when they are over, I will be back where I started. I'm such a genius. Now if you'll excuse me, there is a food that conveniently comes in a bucket that is calling my name.

A Little More Yaris

Rockin' out to the Throwing Stars Soundtrack while editing. Don't forget, it's coming to a theater near you in a couple months.

I'm Short And Fat

There are 2 weeks of the year when I feel short and fat in NYC, and this week is one of them. Now bear in mind I'm 6'2" about 165 lbs soakin' wet last I checked, not really in need of Nutisystem. But starting yesterday, trips around Manhattan via streets and subways will cause even the lanky-est of individuals to feel like they should hit the treadmill. For this is the week leading up to fashion week, where all the models from around the world scurry around NYC to castings in their high heels and skinny jeans, smoking cigarettes with one hand and holding their starbucks in the other. It sometimes feels like NY has been invaded by aliens, super tall, super skinny, speaking some foreign language that only they understand and with the power to cause most men to become disorientated and act foolish. I think if we were ever conquered by aliens, this would definitely be the way I would want to go.

Above is a sample from my shoot yesterday with Yaris.

More Christina

Miracle Man

My Grandmother calls me "miracle man" every-time I go over to her house and fix her television so she can watch "The Wheel" (Wheel of Fortune). Generally it involves pressing a few buttons on the remote, (keep in mind she's 101 in February). Well, it's not walk-on-water miracle, but it's as close as I'm gonna get in photography. Due to some miscommunication, Christina showed up 2 hours late and had to leave 2 hours early, but I still managed to pull out 4 amazing looks, (with the help of Cyndie and Julie of course), in only 2 hours time! Here is one of the looks. The other three I love just as much and you can see them on my site shortly.

As Good As It Gets

I love it when a plan comes together. Sometimes, when you have an amazing group of individuals, working as a team, great things happen. When you have a beautiful model that knows how to move, a talented make-up artist that understands what you are going after and knows how to give it to you, and a cool stylist with great personal style and an amazing wardrobe, you can come up with some beautiful images. With digital, sometimes you lose the enjoyment out of the frenetic nature that contact sheets would display. I used to derive pleasure out of scanning the multiple images of a contact sheet searching for that one frame that embodied the entire shot. When a shoot goes well the edit becomes the most difficult part of post production because there are so many beautiful images to choose from. This most recent shoot is going to be a hard edit.

What A Difference A Day Makes

So last night I got a group together to visit that beer garden in Williamsburg. What an amazing time we had! So different than when I went on Saturday. The crowd was cool, the music was great and our table was industry packed. Photographer, photographer, make-up artist, wardrobe stylist, hair stylist and hair stylist. They even had a beer named after me! Well not exactly, but when your there try the Radenberger, full bodied and quite tasty! It has quickly become my new favorite spot during the week.

I also shot yesterday and am trying to go outside my comfort zone a little bit. Above are a couple quick samples.

Peter Speaks Italian

Sorry Frank, I just had to. It makes me feel like I'm back home.

There Goes The Neighborhood.

Williamsburg used to be my "go to" spot when I wanted to get away from the bridge and tunnel crowd that invades the city on Friday and Saturday nights. Now it looks like I'm gonna have to venture a little further out if I want to have the same enjoyment out of my weekend nights. Last night I went out with my former roommate Susan for a little dinner at Dumont and drinks at Roebling Tea Room. And everything was great until we made a trip to that beer garden on Berry filled with a total post college frat crowd. I should have known when they checked ID's at the door that this was not going to be a place I wanted to spend my evening. Aren't there enough places in the city where these guys can go, with velvet ropes and over-priced drinks? I thought they liked that kinda thing? They already drove me out of the LES, now they want the 'burg too?! I was upset because the place is great, it's just the weekend crowd that blew. I will give it a chance during the week, I have a thing for bar maids in lederhosen (but then again who doesn't?).

"Blog-worthy"

There is a classic Seinfeld episode where Elaine only dates men she thinks are "sponge-worthy". I've adopted this theory when I take photos, and decide if they are "blog-worthy". I most often am just talking about my blog, but it turns out that other blogs think my pictures are "blog-worthy" as well. Check out this link for a nice little shout-out to yours truly from across the pond.

Austria

This is Austria. She is the contestant from the Dominican Republic for the upcoming Ford Supermodel of the World contest. I shot her yesterday and she is very sweet. I wish her all the best in next weeks finals.

Boy Meets Grill, Winter Edition

68 degree temps made me bust out the grill utensils for the 1st annual January 2008 Global Warming BBQ Extravaganza! sponsored by Oscar Meyer, "When you think of wieners, think of Oscar". The food was amazing thanks to Holly who made jalepeno-cheddar burgers from scratch (I have this phobia about sticking my hands in raw meat, Holly, yeah, not so much). She also managed to make smores via the gas grill by rigging up a smore/tinfoil contraption that worked great! I was very impressed! Like I tell her all the time, she's very domesticated. She hates when I tell her that.

Let The Lists Begin!

So the end of 2007 brings reflection. Everyone trumps out their respective lists, best bars, best restaurants, Peoples 50 most beautiful people (once again, I was snubbed. Damn you George Clooney!!) So, I've decided to begin compiling my own list. Here are a few to wet your whistle.

Most underused phrase in 2007: Wet your whistle.
Best brunch with free mimosas: The Essex (get the mac and cheese, trust me).
Best Indian food in NYC: Whole Foods in Union Sq. (Even Indians eat there! I've seen them!)
Best place to see a girl with an a-symmetrical haircut: Bedford L stop.
Best place to claim your from if your an artist: Bushwick
Where people who claim they live in Bushwick actually live: Williamsburg
Worst place to claim your from if your an artist: Murry Hill (hey! that's not fair!)
Best song to do the robot to: Safety Dance extended mix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . don't ask.

Charity Water Update

I just received word that Matt and his friend Scott will not be making the trip to Kenya do to civil unrest and violence. They will instead be heading to Ethiopia in a few days. It's really terrible about what is happening in Kenya. I know someone that lived in Kenya and truly loved the time they spent there and the people they had befriended. Very sad. I will keep updating as I learn more.

Did I Say It Was Cold The Other Day?

So I woke up this morning ready to take on the new year. I check my phone to see what 2008 is bringing me in terms of weather. Looks like the high today is a balmy 9 degrees. But on the bright side it is sunny. So as I prepare to return some gifts and cruise by Costco, this is what I will be wearing. . . . . . You know those provocative phone calls where the other person on the line says with a sultry voice, "What are you wearing?", yeah, this ain't one of those.

1. 2 pairs underwear, one long one short.
2. 1 pair flannel lined jeans.
3. socks, 2 pair.
4. long sleeve thermal.
5. v-neck t-shirt.
6. hooded sweatshirt.
7. long coat.
8. leather gloves.
9. winter hat.
10. boots.
11. scarf (cause I like to keep it fashionable. . . . . what, flannel lined jeans aren't fashionable you say?)