What's pink and taupe with flat screens all over?

Hudson Restaurant & Lounge's Final Four party on Saturday night, of course.  This was just the pick-me-up that we needed after the let down of missing out on Photo-Graffiti at Zone Zero.

Adam found a nice spot to chill while I did my grip 'n' grin thing.  The guests were great - the type of crowd where even if they didn't know you, they were going to say hello to you anyway.  Always interesting.

For gigs like DC Magazine and Washington Life, my goal is to get what's actually going on, not just the folks at each event.  So, the amount of flat screens all over the place really helped the cause.  I think I counted 7, which also includes one outside.

And speaking of outside, there was an ice sculpture, that was also being used as a vodka shot chiller.  I would have loved a taste, but I don't drink on the job for two reasons:  1.  where would I even hold it?  and 2. someone has to make sure the picture's in focus.

Alan Popovsky (picture, above left), Hudson's principal, covered all necessary bases with this event. But then again, I wouldn't expect anything less from a guy who's expertise is also strongly rooted in event management.

If I were to change anything, it would be a little more space to move around in, but that would require moving the bar and curved wall.  And I don't expect that to happen on a photographer's request.

Habatat for Healing

Tonight is Habatat for Healing and DC Magazine is sending me to cover!  I've been looking forward to this event because it just sounds like fun and for a good cause, I might add.  Plus, I love any chance to visit with the gallery's owners, Jay Scott and Lindsey Scott.

A non-profit branch of HABATAT Galleries, Habatat for Healing is a two-month campaign to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and tonight is the official 2009 kick-off party.  For your generous donation of $20 you will get complimentary Maker's Mark drinks, Mezza from Me Jana, entered into a raffle, and and AND...the first 10 women through the door receive a complimentary gift bag from Shea Terra Organics.

For more information on tonight's event or to see the live auction that's on until 5, go to www.habatatforhealing.com.  Check out the pieces if you get a free moment today.  Maybe you will see something that you cannot live without and, hey, it's all for a good cause!

Hope to see you tonight.

Corcoran's Artini Was Anything but Dry

 After leaving Fashion For Paws at the Italian Embassy, keeping my camera equipment together, I jumped in the car and headed across town to the Corcoran Gallery for the Artini Closing.

 A gala in full swing, mixologists from some of Washington's best restaurants were lined up and down the foyer wings, slinging potent potables for all to enjoy.  The occasional Capri Sun was also spotted but the serving locale was unknown.

 With ever-changing lighting and electric energy, Artini was an absolute playground for this photographer.
  

Also, I think my time frame was perfect.  By the time I arrived, everyone seemed to have the right amount of either alchohol, sugar or both in their systems - not too drunk, not too hyper - just right with a lovely buzz.

 It's not that alcohol or sugar are the necessary ingredients of a good time or a good photo, but they sure do make it easier.

No one is self-concious, no one is insisting on looking at the back of my camera and saying "I need a re-take."  Well, scratch that.  I do actually get the occasional person who has had too much to drink and wants to grab at my camera to see the photo that I just took while slurring the words "I guess that's okay." But not at this event.

Nope, the closest anyone got to looking at my camera was this interesting fellow (above, left) who just wanted to see what kind I was using.  As for the two on the right, they were just getting a kick out of the fact that I caught a shot of them texting in front of ole Abe and amped it up a bit for couple more pics.

"Bartender! Another round for my friends in front of the Lincoln portrait!"

Both Artini and Fashion for Paws made for a fun evening of photography.  Make sure to pick up a copy of DC Magazine to see more pictures and read up on total coverage for both events. 

Fashion For Paws and One Photo Faux Pas

DC Modern Luxury Magazine sent me out to photograph two events on Saturday night:  Fashion For Paws and the Artini closing.

Held at The Embassy of Italy, Fashion For Paws was an event photographer's dream with decor that was minimalist, yet elegant and lighting that was rich and well-placed.  Everyone came out to show their support for the Washington Humane Society and see a fashion show featuring models of the two-legged and four-legged kind.

First, just to mention, I would like to say that even though the dogs stole the show, one dog stood out to me and that would be Samy K’s Slash.  Decked out in a shiny black vest with a blood red tie, all this bark ‘n’ roll pup needed was a top hat and a cigarette chew toy of sorts. 

As far as the human attendees, Steve Andronico’s lavender suit was, by far, the best in show!  Although, I think he could have used Susanne Seidman’s Raspberry Beret from Tossed & Found.

Of course, everyone looked spectacular.  The only "photo faux pas" that I would like to briefly mention is related to the program.  Somebody worked really hard on that booklet and somebody paid a lot of money to have it printed.  A great deal of thought and effort went into each bio submitted by all of the evening's models.  So where was the same effort behind the photography?  There were way too many images that were either lo-res, too dark, or a little too "spring break."

The bio and the photo go hand in hand!

The photo goes a long way.  It's what draws the reader into your bio. If you're just going to half-ass it with the photo, then, 9 times out of 10, the reader is just going to assume that there's nothing all that special to read about.  Just my two cents.

Enjoy the photos!

Creme de MINT - A Couple Shots from Last Night

These are a few photo selections from last night's anniversary party at MINT, which I shot for DC Modern Luxury Magazine.  Of course, to get the full scoop, you need to pick up your copy from the newsstands.  I may post some more photos soon, but I wanted to get these shots up before I move on to the next assignment, which is tonight:  Junior League's Tossed & Found Preview Night Party.

Highlights of the shoot:  

• I managed to snag front-door, rock star parking;
• Fabulous atmosphere - soothing colors (mint green was dominant, of course), a smart use of space, and really nice ambient lighting;
• Not to mention, the guests were so open to being photographed, which isn't always the case;
• And a pilates machine and demonstrator, spotlighted in the middle of the main conjugation room!

Love it when I can secure the key shots first and my friend, Erika Litman, who works for DC Modern Luxury, greeted me at the door and helped me to check this list off!  Yea! 

Pilates machine demo was my next target and was very fun to shoot.  By the way, if pilates will make my arms look like that, I'm totally in!

As I said before, everyone was so open to being photographed and very photogenic, too.  Always a plus.  Guests like Grady Renfrow and Tony Villa (as seen here with Erika) were very accommodating to making sure I got adequate coverage.  Not to mention, when the lighting is different in multiple spots--from by the windows to strictly ambient by the bar--it helps that guests get that you just need to make one or two adjustments to the camera to get some top shots. :)