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!

Imagery from the Tossed & Found Preview Night Party

On Friday night, a party at Crystal City Shops kicked off the Junior League of Washington's 17th Annual Tossed & Found sale.  Now, if you have never had the pleasure of going to this weekend-long event, let me give you a taste of what you miss...

First off, this isn't your average, run-of-the-mill rummage sale.  For months, the volunteers sort and weed through all of the donations and decipher if the items are good enough to be sold (think creme de la consignment vs. too-trashy-to-be thrift).  The items that do not make the cut are donated to another source that can use them.  The goods that do make the cut are a total bargain for even the most discriminating shopper, whether they get a jump on the deals on Friday night or are still browsing by Sunday.

Opening the weekend is the Preview Night Party, complete with DJ, catering, open bar, a fashion show, silent and live auctions, and more.  There is a cover charge and everything is twice the price, but the value of getting a head start on some of the finest in gently-used goods makes any purchase, of the evening, a total steal.

Of course, I did what I was there to do and snapped shots of the event, making sure to catch my friends Allison Priebe Brooks http://www.QueenBeeDesigns.comand Suzanne Day Seidman http://www.LocalKicks.com and Makeda Saggau-Sackey in their fashion show sequel to their appearance on Fox 5.

Check out the raspberry beret...------>

After taking photos of the action, I brought along a little toy to play with...my Lensbaby 2.0!  I find that whenever I go second-hand shopping, I tend to fall in love with texture and color, more than the actual items.  So, I thought I would use the Lensbaby to profile what caught my eye and drew me in.  Enjoy.

<--In the textiles section, there was a multitude of options, speaking to just about any style.

Just about anything and everything imaginable could be found in kitchen accessories...I still have yet to figure out why this is was there----->

 <----A cast iron frame and picture that says "la moderne" flanks a black vase with bright green concave ovals.

If you are a committed bargain hunter or second-hand shopper, you will know that the early bird gets the absolute best deals on furniture.  But in this furniture section, there were still some great steals left for the weekend warriors.  Black leather chairs and ottomans, classic antique furniture that only needed to be refinished or re-upholstered and sexy, unique light fixtures.----> 

Ladies accessories had many different shiny, fun things that I could not stay away from.  In the photo below, on the right, is a hat I wanted to rock but the registers were already closed.

It was gone the next day by the time I went back.  It looked to be hand-crocheted and would have definitely fit in with my wardrobe...a sea of black and black.

<---Who cares who makes it?  Who cares if I need it?  Who even cares if the one next to it has more options or staying power?  It's a delicious "mix" of avocado, stainless steel, and retro tastiness.  I must have it for the kitchen!!!

So, what becomes of everything on Sunday?  The Junior League notifies all of the charities in DC to bring a truck and load up.  Plus, for around $25 or $30, the Sunday shoppers are given a very, very large bag and they can load it up with whatever they can fit in there, with exception of appliances, furniture and a few other areas.  However, if you are a fiber artist a designer on the prowl for upholstery fabric, or just looking for new textiles to destruct and re-use, this is the time to do it. 

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. :)

Ten Miles Square's newest exhibit, "I'm with the Band,"

features the works of Kyle Gustafson (who is also responsible for the above photo of Michael Stipe), Martin Locraft, and Nestor Diaz.

Where:  Dahlak
1771 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(On the corner between Florida Ave and 17th Street)

Opening Reception:
Thursday, April 9th from 6 - 8p.m.
Rock out with local DJ Chris Nitti
Drink specials
Suggested $5 donation

A few years ago, I went on a concert photography binge--contacting indie bands and asking if I could photograph their shows at various venues like The Black Cat, 9:30 Club, Velvet Lounge, etc.  A colleague of mine once remarked that there were only so many ways one could capture a concert until the photographyit looses it's appeal.  Not true.  The thrill of concert photography is actually the challenge posed in that statement:  finding different ways to encompass the meaning of "live" for each unique act.

"I'm with the Band," boasts the work of three talented, DC photographers who have successfully met this challenge and captured the spirit and energy of the live act: Kyle Gustafson has been used in several major publications including the Washington Post; Martin Locraft has been featured in DC Magazine; and
Nestor Diaz has had images on Pitchfork.com and DCist.com.

Image of R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe by Kyle Gustafson, courtesy Ten Miles Square.

Sponsoring this exhibit is Ten Miles Square, a venture to promote local photographers through independent, art supporting businesses, while also nurturing new collectors by offering real art at affordable prices.

If you are planning on going to the following events this week, make sure you say "Hello!" to me--the girl behind the camera:

Thursday, March 26th
Mint's 3 Year Anniversary and Pilates Studio Launch
Mint
1724 California Street, NW
http://mintconditionyourself.com//content/Whats-Fresh

Friday, March 27th
Tossed & Found Preview Night (Junior League of Washington)
Crystal City Shops
1600 Crystal Square Arc, Arlington, VA
http://www.jlw.org/?nd=tf_home

Saturday, March 28th:
Fashion for Paws (Washington Humane Society)
Embassy of Italy
3000 Whitehaven St., NW
http://www.washhumane.org/upcomingevents.asp

and following immediately afterward...

Artini Closing Event
Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th St.
http://www.corcoran.org/press/press_artini.asp

Hope to see you there!

This should be first on your "To-View" List for this spring...

Philippa Hughes, who you may know from www.pinkline.org and www.hoogrrl.com, sent this link to check out:

Ten Miles Square www.tenmilessquare.com

For some instant chromatherapy, visit www.tenmilessquare.com and experience two photography exhibits, both saturated in brilliant color and rare composition.

Through the lens of John Ulaszek, view a more intimate perspective of burlesque. These small moments are actually anything but, as they reveal the raw side of this performance art.

Color and mind's eye form a connection in the portraits of Joshua Yospyn's collection.  Though something critical is left out of each frame, the viewer naturally fills the void through the help of Yospyn's bold, smart and vibrant color selections. 

Run by Heather Goss, managing and arts editor of www.DCist.com, Ten Miles Square is a great resource for beautiful photography by local artists, especially if you are a new collector.

In order for this to work, I need your input, opinions, tips!

Do you know of a new gallery or show opening soon in the DC region?

Is there a photographer who deserves some attention?  Are you a photographer who would like to be recognized?

Are there any events that are photo-worthy coming up?

Please, either submit your comments or feel free to shoot me an email:  foto.maven@gmail.com.

I want to hear from you and any news is quite helpful, in my mind.

Thank you.

From intimate spaces such as Hillyer to large galleries like the Corcoran, Washington, DC provides a bevy of spotlights on the photography arts.  As there are numerous big names behind the camera, there are a multitude of new photographers that pound the pavement everyday just looking to get their start.  I believe that among these fresh eyes are some specific incredible talent with skills comparable to the more experienced and popular professionals.  Diamonds in the rough, they don't just have what it takes to shoot a great image, they know how to compose an original.

I want this blog to show off this fresh unknown talent, while serving as a reference for all that is good photography in DC, big names or not.  Your input, opinions, and hot tips are important to this process, so I encourage all emails and comments.

I assure you, while the arts are fantastic in DC, the best is yet to come!