The “Boo” Bus
10/29/09 The “Boo Bus,” Metro’s annual haunted bus made its return to the Anacostia Station for Halloween after a two year hiatus through the support of Metro employees with funds they donated.
Style & Fashion Tutorial at PRC Embassy
[Volunteer from the audience gets a makeover by Madeline Wade.]
10/28/09 Today I photographed an event for women at the (brand new) Embassy of the People’s Republic of China entitled “Tips on Western-Style Hospitality, Etiquette and Protocol with Coach Kathy Kemper.” Topics included: appropriate dress for different social scenarios; dos and don’ts for small talk at cocktail parties (avoid religion and politics but ask about business) and the importance of wearing flip flops right up until the last second before you have to put on the high heels.
[Guest of honor.]
[The main speaker, Coach Kathy Kemper, gave the audience tips on fashion and the customs of DC social life.]
[Volunteer from the audience gets a makeover by Madeline Wade.]
[Susie from Heavenly Hydrangeas did a presentation on floral arrangements]
[Volunteer from the audience gets a makeover by Madeline Wade.]
[Handing out gifts at the end of the program.]
[Volunteer from the audience gets a makeover by Madeline Wade.]
Taste of Success
10/27/09 StreetWise Partners hosts its second annual “Taste of Success” cocktail reception to celebrate “emerging leaders who are giving people the opportunity to work their way out of poverty. The party was held at the brand new offices of Jones Day with an amazing view of the Capitol.
Jenna Kelly
10/19/09 Possibly the most stunning model I met at Bridal Week was was doing showroom for Liz Fields. Her name is Jenna Kelly and she’s with Images Model Management.
NYC Bridal Week: Day 4
10/19/09 Monday was not as crazy as all of the other days of Bridal Week. I shot a lot of showroom – Justin Alexander, Eco Couture, Katerina Bocci, Watters & Watters, Nicole Miller, Liz Fields, Judd Waddell – but only one show. My final event of Bridal Week was an elegant show by Jenny Yoo . . .
NYC Bridal Week: Day 3
10/18/09 Sunday morning started entirely too early with the Trendspot show at 8 a.m. at the Waldorf Astoria. Fashion shows at 8 o’clock on a cold and rainy Sunday morning are not a good idea. Ask anyone. I’m not including any photos from that show here as a form of protest. Stop the insanity. The Trendspot show was followed closely by the 9 a.m. Ines Di Santo show at the Essex House . . .
[Ines Di Santo]
[Ines Di Santo]
[Ines Di Santo]
[Ines Di Santo]
By 11 am I was at my 3rd huge production of the day – the Monique L’huillier show which was held at a funky arts space called Eyebeam Atelier. This was one of the most anticipated events of Bridal Week. I heard people buzzing about this show days earlier.
[Monique L'huillier]
[Monique L'huillier]
Another highly anticipated show was Badgley Mischka‘s in the afternoon. It was a full house in his not-very-big showroom. I was in a rugby scrum with the other photographers. Close at hand were tiny cans of champagne – with short straws attached – from the Coppola vineyard.
[Badgley Mischka]
[Badgley Mischka]
[Badgley Mischka - detail]
The last show of the day had me right back where I started in the Starlight Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria for the Kirstie Kelly show. Kirstie Kelly is the designer for Disney Fairy Tale Weddings – there was an ad in the middle of the program for Disney’s new movie The Princess and The Frog.
[Kirstie Kelly]
[Kirstie Kelly]
[Kirstie Kelly]
[Kirstie Kelly]
NYC Bridal Week: Day 2
10/17/09 NYC Bridal Week is a where the owners of bridal boutiques from around the country decide which gowns they will show their customers. They go to the big elaborate fashion shows but they actually meet the designers and get one on one showings in the hotels which have converted several floors to mini showrooms. I went to several showrooms today. Here are two pix from the Eugenia Couture showroom.
[Eugenia Couture]
The show which elicited the most emotional response had to be the one produced by Romona Keveza Couture. Several women around me were weeping copiously at the conclusion of her event.
[Ramona Keveza Couture]
[Ramona Keveza Couture]
[Ramona Keveza Couture]
[Ramona Keveza Couture]
The final event of the day was a slick, highly produced show by Priscilla of Boston held at a huge venue at 583 Park Avenue which must have been a church or a temple at some point . . .
[Priscilla Of Boston]
[Priscilla Of Boston]
[Priscilla Of Boston]
[Priscilla Of Boston]
NYC Bridal Week: Day 1
[Detail of gown by Moonlight Bridal]
10/16/09 And now for something completely different – I’m in NYC for Bridal Week shooting for several wedding publications. I’ve got a very full schedule lined up taking pix at numerous fashion shows and private showroom viewings. My first assignment was an an interview with the two sisters – Stephanie and Valerie Chin – who make up Moonlight Bridal.
[Moonlight Bridal Spring 2010]
Later in the afternoon, I photographed a show by designer Alfred Angelo who says his Spring 2010 line was inspired by the documentary film “Jazz On A Summer’s Day” about the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival directed by the famous fashion photographer Bert Stern.
GQ’s 50 Most Powerful People in DC Party
[CNN's White House Correspondent Ed Henry (not on the list) chats with Senator Ben Nelson (D NE) (on the list)]
10/13/09 GQ Magazine published their list of the “50 Most Powerful People in DC” in the November ’09 issue. They threw a party Tuesday night at 701 Restaurant to announce who those 50 were. It was attended predominately by people protesting too much that they did not care one tiny little bit that they were not on the list.
Great party (mini burgers = 4 stars) but why anyone would take seriously a list about power politics from a men’s fashion magazine is beyond me. I think a National Journal story about the new fall collection of men’s suede shoes would be just about as nonsensical.
[Jessica, Pam and Edie - if anyone of these three is at a party then it is a better than average event.]
[Weighing the pros and cons of GQ's list outside the venue.]
Eva Longoria-Parker On The House Side
10/13/09 Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar with members of the National Museum of the American Latino Commission, including actress Eva Longoria-Parker. The Commissioners are tasked with giving Congress advice on the possibility of a museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C. The potential museum would pay tribute to the art, culture, and history of the Latino community in the United States.
There was a crush of media and spectators to catch a glimpse of Longoria-Parker at this press conference which was held at an area called the House Triangle next to the US Capitol building. I liked how the Secretary brought along his seal to slap on the lectern. I wonder if he carries it in his briefcase at all times.
“We’ll scream loud at the top of our lungs”
10/11/09 An acoustic performance to by the band Boys Like Girls at the Hard Rock Cafe Washington, D.C. ends with the audience [a mob of teenage girls - each with digital camera] joining lead singer Martin Johnson (on the mic) and lead guitarist Paul DiGiovanni onstage Sunday night.
Lady In Red
Model: Lindsey Mask
Hair and Makeup: Madeline Wade
http://www.madelinewadewashingtondc.com
Up On The Roof
[Sundown as seen from the roof of Park Place Apartments.]
10/08/09 Scenes from “Capture the Moment” party atop the Park Place Apartments at Petworth Metro.
Ben Ali, RIP
10/08/09 Very sad to hear of the passing of Ben Ali, founder of the DC landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street.
DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the founder and namesake of Ben’s Chili Bowl, one of the greatest treasures in the District of Columbia. Ben Ali was a man who invested his life in a small business that weathered many storms and became the soul of a neighborhood and the pride of our city. Though we mourn the loss of Mr. Ali, we are grateful that his legacy will live on in our hearts. On behalf of the residents of the District of Columbia, I want to thank the Ali family for sharing Ben with us.”
DC Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray: “With the passing of Ben Ali, the owner of Ben’s Chili Bowl, the District of Columbia has lost a well-respected and iconic figure in the shaping of the historic U Street corridor. My condolences and prayers go to his family, employees and friends. Through the riots of the 60’s, and neighborhood transformation, Mr. Ali, his wife and sons have kept Ben’s Chili Bowl a thriving business and community meeting place. So much so, that it caught the attention of even President Barack Obama and the nation during his inauguration. Many D.C. residents have enjoyed a chili dog at the U Street establishment and been greeted by the warm reception of the people behind the counter, which emanated from Ben Ali’s spirit and the way he and his family ran the business. In fact, I am a regular patron.
Mr. Ali truly will be missed by those of us who appreciated the mark he and Ben’s Chili Bowl have left on the U Street corridor and across the District of Columbia.”
Robert Bergman exhibit at National Gallery of Art
10/06/09 This morning I attended the press preview of an exhibit at the National Gallery of Art entitled “Robert Bergman: Portraits, 1986 -1995“ The 48 works in the series are tightly shot, mostly vertical, haunting portraits of people who look they’ve lived tough lives.
On a photo tech note, it was surprising to see that these images were ink jet prints and not traditional photographic prints. Made me wonder if they are the only ink jet prints hanging in the National Gallery.
The exhibit opens to the public on October 11 and runs until January 10, 2010.
Here are three images from the series courtesy of the National Gallery:
Robert Bergman
Untitled, 1990
inkjet print, printed 2004
image: 60.2 x 40.3 cm (23 11/16 x 15 7/8 in.)sheet: 77.4 x 56.4 cm (30 1/2 x 22 3/16 in.)
Anonymous Gift. © Robert Bergman
Robert Bergman
Untitled, 1989
inkjet print, printed 2004
image: 60.2 x 40 cm (23 11/16 x 15 3/4 in.)sheet: 77.4 x 56.2 cm (30 1/2 x 22 1/8 in.)
Anonymous Gift. © Robert Bergman
Robert Bergman
Untitled, 1991
inkjet print, printed 2004
image: 60.2 x 40.2 cm (23 11/16 x 15 13/16 in.)sheet: 77.5 x 56.4 cm (30 1/2 x 22 3/16 in.)
Anonymous Gift. © Robert Bergman
Read an interview with the artist here.
Red Mass 2009
[Archbishop Wuerl and Chief Justice John Roberts exit St. Matthew's Cathedral at the conclusion of the Red Mass.]
10/04/09 The 1st Monday in October is the traditional start of the U.S. Supreme Court’s term. For 56 years, the Red Mass has been held on the Sunday before the first Monday. Its purpose is to invoke God’s blessing on the courts and all public officials. It’s called the Red Mass because the priests wear red vestments to represent the Holy Spirit and to recall the scarlet robes worn by royal judges long ago. Washington has had a Red Mass since 1953 but the tradition goes back to the 13th century. The Red Mass marked the official opening of the judicial year of the Roman Rota and the French King Louis IX (St. Louis) designated Sainte-Chapelle, the perfect Gothic chapel on the Île de la Cité in Paris as the chapel for the Messe Rouge
Today, the newest United States cardinal, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston was the homilist. The Mass was attended by Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Scalia, Justice Kennedy, Justice Breyer, Justice Alito and for the first time by new Justice Sonia Sotomayer. Attending from the Obama administration were Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Pro life protesters led by Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry heckled the crowd and Justice Sotomayer in particular. One protester was arrested.
[Justice Anthony Kennedy arriving.]
[Justice Samuel Alito arriving.]
[RNC Chairman Michael Steele arriving.]
[The cathedral was filled to capacity and the fire marshal stopped letting more people in as Mass started.]
[This woman was part of the pro life protest and was upset about not being let in as Mass started. You can see the celebrants going up the stairs behind her.]
[She was arrested.]
[This woman fainted and was taken away by ambulance.]
[Randall Terry on the bullhorn.]
[VIP limos lined up for departure.]
[The crowd emptying out of the Cathedral. There are 5 Supremes in this photo.]
[Justice Scalia departs.]
[Justice Sotomayor says her goodbyes.]
[Chief Justice Roberts]
Washington-scape: Look Twice
[Dupont Circle at around 8p.m. in the evening 10/01/09]
Final Nats Home Game ’09
10/01/09 Last night was Fan Appreciation Night and the Nationals pulled out a come from behind victory (ending a streak of 150 losses when trailing after eight innings) over the Mets in the 9th with a walk off Grand Slam homer by Justin Maxwell to win the game 7-4.
Here’s the pitch by Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez with a full count . . .
Grand Slam! You can see the ball just to the left of the Washington Post sign.
