Friendship and Cindy Merrill

One of the benefits of living a full and rich life is having long time friends. Cindy and I haven’t seen one another in about ten years. To reconnect a friendship is a treasure that only comes with folks who have lived a life. It was a real treat to met up again. We collaborated on a number of very memorable photo shoots in the past when Cindy was a hair & makeup artist. Now she has started a new business venture called Cindy O’Brien Aesthetics a full service skin care studio in Napa. Plus a new product line of anti aging serum called “The Bomb” She is still very much involve in helping woman achieve their own beauty.

http://www.cindyobrienaesthetics.com/

Here are some photos of Cindy just the other day. The biggest difference this time is she is now in front of the camera as oppose to standing behind it. It's really wonderful to see her in all her glory as a beautiful woman. We met up at a fund raiser for the Napa Valley Symphony. There was a fashion show in which Cindy was a model for. Here is a shot of Cindy standing on the runway just about to do her strut. It was so much fun to she her work it.

Here is one of our more memorable photos that she helped me on back when she was doing hair and makeup. Even back then Cindy had a touch of grace and elegance that help each photo transcend the accustomed.

A very nice shot of the two of us. Good friends.

APA "Something Personal" Photo Acceptance

My "Candace Pulling the Sheets" photograph has been selected to be in this year's APA "Something Personal" exhibition. A nice little note about this photo was that it was shot and imaged with the iPhone.

Nothing Beats the Real Thing

Last week I was in New York City for the national APA board meeting. One of the main reasons for flying out to the East coast is so everybody gets to meet one another in person. What a difference in relationships it makes when you actually meet a person in the flesh. You can experience their mannerisms, charm and other natural charter traits, that one cannot sense over the telephone of keyboard.

This morning I saw a video that had a short interview with Carlein van der Beek. What a revelation to see her speak and gesture. She became a real person to me at that moment. Something more than a fellow artist who works in the same medium. I knew her work. I have read her text, but all that added up to an impression that has been crafted for me by Carlein. Seeing her live, gave me the opportunity, to experience her in a more organic form. Yes it was a video interview, not as good as being there in person, but a step in the right direction, which made Carlein more real to me.

The attached photo is an excellent example of that great energy that happens when people get together. This was an unplanned event. Eight APA board members jammed into a small elevator. Theresa Raffetto took a fast grab shot with her camera. That one shot captured the spirit and comradeship of people being together. Nothing beats the real thing.

I needed to produce something beautiful

I needed to produce something beautiful. Life was getting a little too intense with all the upsetting news. Images of dead dictators, angry protestors on both sides. murdered zoo animals and a terrible economy, I needed to go back into my files and pull out some beauty from within me.

Last year I photographed the lovely and talented ballet dancer Sarah Bukowski dancing with a torch. The shoot was part of my match light series. During the shoot I experimented a little with motion and flame. Here is a two-minute clip with a few stills added. Something I put together last night, to help take the edge off.

Click in this link to view the movie in Vimeo.
http://vimeo.com/30880692

Click on screen grab to view
the movie in Vimeo

Erich Loading Film

Yes. It still happens! Every now and then.

David's Beard

My friend David Weiner grew his mustache & beard in this manner for a role he is playing in a Moliére play.

The Spirit of Anouk Aimée

Suzan Mikiel and I spent a day in the Hollywood hills capturing the spirit of the French film actress Anouk Aimée. With the wonderful help of makeup artist Astra Ramyead we were able to go back in time create a mood of the 1960’s .