Thought Cloud

Liz and her Thought Cloud

The Sunday Post:
I had a technicolor dream of Liz and her Thought Cloud

Photographing Wynton

My life as a photographer has transported me to many a significant place and moment. My role as Official Photographer for the Hamptons Jazz Festival now has added a special one to the list: documenting the 4th of July weekend concert by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

When I first moved to New York, I coincidentally moved to an apartment on Duke Ellington Boulevard (West 106th Street). Another twist had me happening into a bar on Broadway a few blocks up where I followed the sound of music into a back room & first heard the great Russell Procope and his band Ellingtonia. Mr. Procope had been a clarinetist in the Duke’s band. I was hooked and became a regular at his appearances there.

Now, I was at Southampton Arts Center to hear the master, Wynton Marsalis, and this incredible ensemble of mesmerizing soloists perform an entire evening of Ellington compositions. The sound was amazing, the musicianship off the charts. There is nothing quite like being in the presence of this music LIVE!

Mr. Marsalis sat with the other trumpeters in the back row (as someone mentioned to me: always closest to the rhythm section) and at the SAC this meant on a riser just in front of their array of organ pipes. He stayed seated the entire evening even as he played the role of MC, announcing the program, the numbers, and his fellow players. His voice has a mellifluous tone and he weaves a spell with stories of history, anecdotes, and the cultural importance of music especially in our current time. The backdrop of the organ pipes was perfectly suited as it often felt like being in a place of worship with an honored minister conducting a sermon. It all makes sense as EDUCATION is a major part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s mission.

His own playing, of course, was indescribably incredible. Refusing the spotlight for the entirety of the program, Marsalis remained a member of the ensemble. As one might imagine this offered a unique challenge towards securing a singular image of him. Yet having team access as I did allowed me to find the one tiny window I could to photograph him while playing. This meant dusting the floor of yet another auditorium with the seat of my trousers which, by this point in my career I am well used to. I got as low as I could alongside the rising stage and photographed through the music stands. For me, compositionally, it was a great vantage point and using my long lens gave me a singular view for watching the concentration, intensity, emotion, command and the cool of this Master at work. BONUS: I was given quite the rush when he provided me THE photo op of looking straight at me and my camera for just long enough to result in my “keeper."

Art & Transformation - the Ukrainian Village Voices

An Assembled Portrait of the Ukrainian Village Voices

Prior to photographing an event I always make sure to scout the location and run-of-show. That was how I learned that an unannounced opening musical piece had been added to this year’s AMP Awards. First the screens would display title cards accompanied by silence that reminded everyone it had been three months to the day that Russian forces had invaded Ukraine in an act of war followed by a refugee crisis the likes of which has not been seen since World War II. In acknowledgement and support of the Ukrainian struggle, AMP organizers had asked the 14-member a cappella Ukrainian Village Voices to perform a folk song in their native tongue.

When I learned of this I made it my business to arrive early at the venue, Sony Theatre in order to watch the sound check. These tech and blocking warmups are always a great way to study what’s going to happen in advance so as not to miss any key visual moments during the performance.

I found the piece incredibly moving and the group’s harmonies exceptional. It was an incredible reminder of the transformative power and necessity of art in times of harsh realities.

Having a few extra moments before the house opened, I hustled three levels down in the bowels of the building below West 46th Street to the dressing rooms. I asked UVV if they’d pose for a group photo. I wanted to get a good portrait of everyone and due to the size of the group, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to return to an old technique of mine: the assembled portrait. They were game but of course “where?” was the question of the moment. Given the few moments that we had the stairwell, ironically painted deep red, was the best place to work.

In addition, I’ve created a very short video to provide an example of the piece performed.

Thanks to the Ukrainian Village Voices and, once again, to the AMP organizing team Georg Bissen, Jeff Rosner, Matt Miller, Al Risi, Phil Schuster and Anthony Vagnoni for staging an awards show that goes beyond the boundaries of what is expected, for reminding us that what we do is important, and making this show one of the most exciting to witness and document.

#montaukphotographer #hattrickstudio #ukrainianvillagevoices #standwithukraine #amp2022 #stopthewar

Thanks to the UVV and, once again, to the AMP organizing team Georg Bissen, Jeff Rosner, Matt Miller, Al Risi, Phil Schuster and Anthony Vagnoni for staging an awards show that goes beyond the boundaries of what is expected, for reminding us that what we do is important, and making this show one of the most exciting to witness and document.

#montaukphotographer #hattrickstudio #ukrainianvillagevoices #standwithukraine #amp2022 #stopthewar

Small Businesses Back to Work?

As If You Ever Stopped!

Working methods may have shifted over the last two years but for small business teams to survive it has meant living the words I have tattooed on my forearm: Adapt, Improvise, Overcome.

As the world picks up the pace to post-pandemic normalcy, it’s time to polish off the company image by strengthening your brand’s identity and reinforcing how your group works in a cohesive fashion.

One fantastic way to do this is with professional headshots that represents your company’s image in a visually cohesive fashion. Yes, it matters how you look, and it matters how you look together. A key element is style, and it takes some insight into who you are, what you do and how you do it. A great example was my experience with Big Sky Studio Edit.

My friend, Anthony Vagnoni, who was handling PR for AICP introduced me to the about-to-be-awarded and incredibly talented, Chris Franklin (who also had an Oscar nomination iin 2020). They needed a good portrait of Chris for the annual AICE awards. Of course, as it goes with great editing, timing is everything and we needed a studio in a flash. I made a quick call to another super talented friend, the awesome Mary Nittolo, Founder/Proprietor of her animation house , THE STUDIO NYC. As it happened, she told me they were in the process of moving! (Oh, NO! Mr. Bill!!). BUT as fate would have it, due to a snafu in the new space that placed everything on hold, her existing shoot stage was available for a couple of more days. Again, that timing thing.

I made arrangements with team Chris, grabbed some lighting gear, beat a quick path to THE STUDIO and began thinking up an interesting portrait, I hadn’t had time to pull together a backdrop but the white cyc provided me with the equivalent of a blank canvas. I rummaged around in what was laying about & found a cool cooling vent leftover from an equipment rack. I set up a light to blast out through that & created a fetching pattern on the wall that reminded me of watching film running through a projector. Naturally a modernist red (my favorite color) made its way into the picture. When Chris arrived I plunked him down and though we grabbed many a frame it was that first one that won the day. (It so often happens that it is either the last or the first — which is why you can’t just count on the first).

As conversation ensued, what with all that was going on with Chris’ career, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get the full Big Sky team into the picture. By this time, I had heard that their offices were beautifully curated and art directed. I suggested we take a look up there. A scouting session was put into the calendar and, oh, yes: Eye Candy City.

When you want to enhance your team image there is no better way to give yourselves a unique identity than to incorporate every element you can. A uniform look is the first place to start. And if you have work environment that reflects your image there is no better thing to do than to incorporate that spatial dimension into your team photos. Big Sky’s offices totally fit this bill and so my incredeble assistant, Ian Duncan Ball, and I staged each portrait in one of the seemingly endless “stages” we found around the space. Voila - unique and consistent team portraits.

As we know “every picture tells a story, don’t it?”

Três Reis de Lisboa

Meanwhile, back in Lisbon . . .

Liz and I took a walk along the beautiful promenade by the River Tagus. It was a Saturday and the sun came out after several days of rain and clouds. It seemed like the entire city was strolling with us. Like anywhere, we passed several buskers and artists, all very talented. But as we approached the expanse Praça do Comercio there came a beat. My ears perked up. We made our way through the small crowd that had gathered around and there we encountered three kings bearing the gifts of amazing drumming. They were at the edge of the rounded corniche that leads to the centuries old boat launch. Liz and I took an empty spot immediately behind them as the vista of the three men, the crowd and the huge Praça on that sunny day was an enthralling vision. . . .

It was so much so that I spontaneously started video recording the moment. The results can be seen and HEARD on my new blog post -- (the link is in my bio). Please check it out. It's only a little over a minute long and I think you'll enjoy it. And while you're on my site please take a look around -- I've been updating and adding some new work so there's other stuff to see as I work my way "back in the groove." Thanx!!
#montaukphotographer #lisbon #hattrickstudio #streetmusic #busking #drumming #travelphotooftheday#travelphotography