Versions of Self: The Gymnast

My beautiful and exotic friend Brittany came to the recent studio sessions that I did for the Versions of Self project, and this was one of hers. I love knowing people for months and then finding out about their past selves. People surprise you. 

 

Shot By: Roberto Schiwon

Frequently I step out from behind the camera and agree to model for artists and photographers. This is a shot by Roberto Schiwon, one of my dear friends here in the Hudson Valley. We traipsed out into the woods one evening after dinner and took a few test shots...a full shoot is coming soon. He wanted something a little intense and creepy - I think he captured that. 

For the Adult Student

Artist Mark Conti stopped by one of my last shoots and I scooted him in for a photo or two. 

Golf Ad Photo Shoot

I did a photo shoot for new promotional materials for Beekman Country Club. One of these got used and the other did not...which do you think is which? 

7am Chores

I was in western Pennsylvania with family last month, visiting for my grandmother's birthday. After spending a few days in Pittsburgh, we went north to my great uncle Gordon's small beef cattle farm in Titusville. I spent a couple of weeks there every summer growing up, and this was the first time I've been back in 7 years. Too long! It was wonderful to see family again and the last morning, I jumped on the opportunity to tag along and help with chores. We went up the road to a friend's farm to pick up more milk  (after drinking all the whole milk in the house the night before, and plunging myself into a hilarious lactose coma), which comes fresh in huge glass jars. They also have beautifullll huge eggs. I love food, and farms are such an apt celebration of buying local. I think it's so important to support local farmers; I can't wait to join a farm share when I move to DC, and there is a farmer's market right near my house in the U St. Corridor. After getting the milk we ran out to the barn into knee-deep muck to feed the cows. It was great! 

Even though I live in New York and am moving to DC, I grew up in rural Vermont and love spending time in the country. But man it's hard to get late night Ethiopian way out there!

Enjoy the photos. 

Tantrum

Tiny Dancer

Versions of Self Preview

I will be done with college in 2 hours. So instead of studying for my last exam before I jet to DC, here are some photos from the Versions of Self shoot. 

Featuring Katherine Bilsky, Kerry Fitzsimmons, Eva Block. 

Versions of Self: The Musician

So a couple of weeks ago we did a big studio shoot for my long-term Versions of Self project, which has been developing for over a year. Still not ready to talk about it, but I am ready to share some photos. 

Here's a version of my friend Mike, who plays every instrument under the sun incredibly well (and incidentally it was his birthday yesterday!) and is the drummer in the band The Fifth Business. He's a little camera-shy so I decided to let him do what he does best (play music) and added one of my favorite subjects, Kerry to spice up his musician-self. 

Spicy, yes?  

Featured: Silver Needle Fashion Show Look Book

 Despite my staunch background in business, my closest friends (and blog followers, natch) know that I'm an art girl at heart. And going where I go for school, I am blessed with having a dramatic and glitter-incrusted fashion department filled with designers, merchandisers, and fashionistas galore at my fingertips when I need my fashion fix. While my friends at other colleges relish in going to class in sweatpants, every day is an excuse to get dressed up and try something a little wild here. Zebra print heels to the library on a Tuesday afternoon? Yes please! And you know those fashion divas get cranky if you don't show up just so. Pressure's on, biddies! 

Clearly that scene isn't for everyone, but as a girl who grew up loving her special occasion dresses and lamenting that she couldn't wear them every day, this set-up is pretty sweet. And with loads of my fabulous friends working in fashion, I couldn't help but get involved myself (darn!). Over the years I've done a lot of different things, but have modeled for the department's prestigious Silver Needle Fashion Show for several years. The competition to get garments into the show is stiff, with the presentations to the department staff for a panel judging during the harrowing and hellish Runway Ready Weekend. There are photo shoots, professional hair and make-up people, a dress rehearsal, and of course, the Look Book. The Look Book features the top designers and is presented to the front-row ticket holders in their goodie bags. The pair of show always sell out the biggest venue in the region, so those front row seats can go for big bucks. The show is this Thursday, May 5 at 2pm and 8pm and tickets can be bought at ticketmaster.com. You know I'm totally hyper to walk in the show! Plus it's nice to hang out with other tall ladies all day...for once I'm not the tallest in the room.

Here's a proof of me from the Look Book photo shoot with Michael Polito. I'm wearing Elizabeth Ward, whose collection was inspired by the space race of the 1960's and David Bowie. Fabulous, yes? She made all of the fabrics I'm wearing with surface manipulations. Loves it! 

Fashion in City of POK, Part 2

A few more shots to indulge my fashion fetish. There will be a lot more work featuring these two ladies quite soon, so keep an eye out! Now that my photo documentary is done I've moved on to lots of wacky projects...

Fashion in City of POK

Here are a few fashion shots from a shoot I did as a side project with the documentary. Shot in a back lot sculpture park in City of Poughkeepsie. Models Eva Block and Kerry Fitzsimons.