The First

Though I have been photographing families and children for over 40 years, I still love the wonder of the first.. the first baby to new parents, the first grandchild on both sides, the first step, etc.

I had the pleasure of photographing new parents and first time grandparents last week, and can’t decide who is more proud. Either way, a new child is a  gift that keeps on giving.

It’s nice to include the whole family in a shoot (so long as the main subject lasts, of course) and I love capturing the 3 generations in one frame.

The Hampton Classic

Eclipse 2017

On Monday, August 21, of this year, all of North America experienced an eclipse of the sun.  Though the path of the total eclipse went from Oregon to South Carolina, there was much delight and plenty of viewing of the partial eclipse on the South Fork of New York.

More than 600 people crowded the terrace and lawn at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, equipped with special viewing glasses, cell phones, pinhole cameras,makeshift cereal boxes and even NASA approved welding masks.makeshift cereal boxes and even NASA approved welding masks.

Set against the backdrop of Clifford Ross’s exciting exhibit Light Waves, the eclipse was made extra special for those who were lucky enough to attend.

What a Difference a Decade Makes

South Fork Bakery

Apart from the beautiful beaches and playground of the rich and famous, there exists in the Hamptons, a mission based business that highlights the abilities of adults with special needs.

Started by proprietor Shirley Ruch, a speech and language therapist,  South Fork Bakery makes delicious cookies, while providing meaningful and supportive employment to South Fork residents with ADHD, auditory processing disorders, autism and developmental disabilities.

I first met these wonderful adults (and Shirley), selling their delicious treats at the Sag Harbor Farmer’s market, and was impressed not only by the taste of their labor, but their cause as well.

While Shirley worked for years as a speech, language, and learning specialist with children with developmental disabilities, she noticed as they grew older, there were not many jobs available for them.  Realizing that baking was very therapeutic, Shirley decided  to start her business and thus South Fork Bakery was born!

While the baking began at Hayground School, they are  now working out of Scoville Hall in Amagansett.  I had a the pleasure of seeing these young men and women (and career coaches) work side by side while they baked their delicious products.

All participants are immersed in every aspect of the business, including baking, packing, sales and marketing.  I met many of these hard workers at the farmer’s market, where customers can purchase raisin/chocolate chip, chololate chunky brownie, and my personal favorite, the blondie bar.

 

To purchase these cookies, you can visit their website  at http://www.southforkbakery.com.

 

 

 

 

Life is Different at the Beach

 

“At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment.  We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun.”

Anonymous

Summer Solstice Meets Downward Facing Dog

The Mental Health Association of Westchester hosted an “empowering and energetic” yoga event on the first day of summer this year.

The event, held in Turnure Park in White Plains, and led by yoga guru Beryl Bender Birch, inspired others to get on their mats for Mental Health.

The mega-yoga event,  featuring meditation, music and movement, helped raise public awareness and support for mental health issues.

The young and old alike coordinated their breathing and mindfulness on a picture-perfect evening.

 

 

The Rehearsal

Most synagogues prohibit photography during Shabbat, so those most cherished moments during one’s bar or bat mitzvahs ceremony are left only in memories.   It is for this reason that I love photographing the rehearsal before the actual rite of passage.  Not only does this give the bar/bat mitzvah a chance for a run-through without pressure, but it allows those meaningful moments to be captured digitally: The proud parents and loving siblings, the grandparents practicing their aliyah,  the reading of the Torah and the tenderness between the rabbi and student. 

So though I was not able to photograph on Shabbat, I had the special honor of witnessing and recording the next best thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes, which means hot waters in Spanish, is often referred to as Machu Picchu Town.  It became popular in the 20th century when the railroad was constructed through the mountains. Most tourists arrive by train from Ollantaytambo, all wanting to visit Machu Picchu, located just a few miles away.

The town itself is not very large, and most visitors there are hikers and back packers who completed the Inca Trail.  For those less amtious, buses travel up the mountain and back on a continual basis. Today more than 1500 tourists arrive by train every day, all wanting to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Though Aguas Calientes exists solely for tourism, I wanted to photograph the daily life, far away from the restaurants, shops, and massage parlors that line every street.

 

 

Machu Picchu

Perhaps placed first on most traveler’s bucket list, is Machu Picchu.  Having visited this 15th century Inca citadel recently, I can see why this is so.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site, built on a mountain ridge 8,000 ft. above sea level, is an amazing  sight to behold.

About 200 buildings are arranged on wide parallel terraces around an east-west central square, while stone stairways set in the walls allowed access to the different levels across the site.  Most archeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest.  It was not known to the outside world until 1911, when the American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention.

Though altitude sickness and tough terrain  may deter some visitors, it is certainly worth the effort!