The Butterfly Jar

Mrs. Nichol’s fifth & sixth babies… This week, on Pleasant Ave. & E. 119th Street.

The results of this… 1940’s fun with cabaret singer and performance artist, Molly Pope! What an inspiring and wonderful thing to have someone ask for a very specific type of portrait and then collaborate with you to make it happen. So great for my head and I’m so happy with the results! More to come. (BTW, Molly is an amazing singer & actress: www.mollypope.com)

Just got back from Puerto Rico where I spent some much needed quality time with my grandmother… Oh and a little beach time, too.

In November I took one of my best trips, ever.  I flew to Arizona with my grandfather to visit my great aunt (his older sister).  This is one of my favorite pictures… Especially because my great aunt said it made her see more than ever how much she looks like her younger brother!

Here is a sneak peak from my shoot yesterday! I had been looking forward to photographing Yesenia Selier, an Afro-Cuban dancer from Havana, for a very long time. Both for Salseek and also for my own work with documenting folkloric music, dance and costumes.  Yesenia came dressed for our shoot as the African Orisha, Oya.  Oya is a powerful sorceress in the Yoruba religion; she is a warrior deity with a warrior husband (Chango - the ruler of thunder and lightning) who presides over death, cemeteries, and storms.  She is a fire goddess and it is said that she can bring about rapid or sudden transformation and change.

I photographed Yesenia dancing on top of massive boulders, straddling rocks and also seated on top of a ravine.  Here we are on the ravine - fortunately no one fell off! Looking forward to sharing the photos (and our story on Salseek!) very soon.

Photo shoot this weekend was with my hubby.  He needed a new headshot.  Also, seven years later and I still feel butterflies ;)

So, Thursday I photographed Rebecca Ketchum - a beautiful and multi-talented yoga teacher from Williamsburg.  We took lots of different kinds of photos (for her new website and for mine!) which made the shoot so much fun.  From the kinds of shots I posted yesterday (which inspired me to include some of my favorite quotes) to some others that are now in my lifestyle section on my website and to some other more playful shots like this one.

What I learned is sometimes it’s fun to play around, lighten the mood and try new things! It definitely got us all laughing and feeling even more creative than before.

I call this Sightseeing with a yoga teacher - Brooklyn, NY

:)

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” - martin luther king, jr.

“Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts and don’t put up with people that are reckless with yours.” -kurt vonnegut

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart.  And try to love the questions themselves.” -Rainer Maria Rilke

New portraits on my website… This is Yisel, member of Raices Profundas folkloric dance company in Havana.  He taught me how to dance Rumba, Rueda and Reggaeton! He’s an unbelievable dancer… I also have video of him dancing Columbia at this spot (coming soon).

Another favorite photo from my shoot with the beautiful, Ms. Talia Castro-Pozo and her dance partner, Lee Bradley.  More shots on flickr !

Exciting, new feature about world class bailarina, Talia Castro-Pozo, on Salseek! We had so much fun braving the chilly weather and intense WIND in Times Square to take these photos. I think it was one of my favorite portrait of a dancer shoots yet!

Many thanks to the fabulous Lemington Ridley who designed Talia’s dress and also did hair and makeup! The long trail of Talia’s gorgeous dress was actually perfect for the windy day.