Sully Bush Christmas Shoot

Happy Holidays from my friends at America’s VetDogs and Sully H.W. Bush! Sully is yellow lab raised by America’s VetDogs for disabled military veterans. He served the former 41st President George H.W. Bush before his passing. Sully now works at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center down in the Washington D.C. area helping wounded veterans.

Our holiday shoot together was themed “Christmas Morning". We chose the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport, NY because of their spectacular Christmas decoration display, beautiful grounds, and for its proximity to America’s VetDog’s Smithtown, NY headquarters. The story of the above photo shoot goes like this:

“Sully came home from work after a long day. He changed out of his work clothes, got comfy, and made sure the house was ready for Santa Paws … Sully hung a few last minute decorations with his loved ones and plated a pair of freshly made tennis balls. He then patiently for bed time hoping he made the good boy list, while others were being a bit naughty. Sully sighed “It’s hard to fall asleep on Christmas Eve!”. … Sully woke up and looked outside. “A white Christmas”, he exclaimed. However, no one was awake yet. So he waited … and waited some more. … “Finally, everyone was awake and it was time to go downstairs” … Santa Paws brought tennis balls, squeaky toys, and treats for all! And mom, she brought a camera for embarrassing photos.

Justin's Madison Square Park Proposal

Justin proposed late Wednesday night just before his now fiancé, Ashley, left work for a long 4 day Thanksgiving break. Justin chose to surprise Ashley outside of her office in Madison Square Park and have me photograph the moment for several reasons. First, Madison Square Park is where they ended many of their first dates. Next, Ashley and Justin work opposite schedules, and Justin knew he had to catch Ashley when she’d least expect it. So, after work going in to a holiday weekend when they were both off was a perfect time.

But, how would Justin know when and where Ashley would be after work? Well, Ashley always texts Justin when she’s leaving work. Second, Ashley leaves work at the same exact time everyday, so she can catch her commuter train home. Lastly, Ashley always walks to the train the same exact way everyday.

With the help of Justin’s sister we laid rose pedals around the area Justin would ask Ashley to marry him. A few minutes before Ashley left work I made sure my cameras and flashes were set correctly for the very low-light proposal. Justin’s sister held their dogs and watched from afar.

Right on the dot, at 5:30pm Ashley left her office and by 5:35pm she was saying “Yes” to Justin’s big question.

Holiday Puppy Session - America's VetDogs - Guide Dog Foundation

Recent holiday photo shoot for my friends at America’s VetDogs and Guide Dog Foundation. The first group of photos will be used in social media posts, websites, emails, and print pieces. The second group of photos, with the “Spike” jersey, are for a soccer league that will be raising one lucky pup! Pups ranged from 3 weeks old to 6 weeks old.

Hamlisch Awards - The First Annual | NYC Event Concert Photographer

The Hamlisch Awards were hosted and cosponsored by Queens College. The awards celebrate young emerging composers from around the world and were created to honor the late Marvin Hamlisch, paying tribute to his legacy as both an artist and an advocate for emerging musicians.

NYC Event Photography - Event Photographer is one of the best jobs.

My goal as a NYC based Event Photographer is to photograph the moments that matter. In doing so, I want to photograph the Who, What, Where, When, and Why of the event. My photos, in order to be successful, must show excitement, energy, and purpose throughout the event. These are the characteristics of great photos. Event photographers are hired to produce images that can be used in marketing and advertising materials. NYC’s best event photographs are hired because their images tell an interesting and engaging story, and get people interested in an event.

A History of the Hamlisch Awards

Started in 2013, the awards began as the Marvin Hamlisch Film Scoring Contest, presented by the Washington, DC-based nonprofit CINE. Hundreds of composers from around the world submitted their work to be selected as an emerging media composer. In 2019, the Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards expanded their contest’s impact, adding three additional categories. Emerging composers can now apply for the following three categories: composition for musical theatre, film scoring, classical composition and jazz composition.

The evening included celebrities from across the media landscape. Stars such as the former New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre, home decor star and tv host Martha Stuart, Paul Schaffer, Robert Klein, and several others.

Venue: Queens College Lefrak Concert Hall

STG Casino Royale for SuitUp

The STG Casino Royale evening, hosted at Morton’s Steakhouse, benefitted SuitUp. SuitUp helps disadvantaged young people learn about and experience real world business. Students visit and compete at real NYC companies in a SharkTank like business presentations.

Upon entry guests received a complimentary starter casino chip. Throughout the evening, guests playedBlackjack, Roulette, Craps and Poker in a purposefully built casino for the evening. At the end of the evening, guest cashed out there their winnings to win terrific prizes; televisions, computers, home wear, and gift cards.

Venue: Morton’s Steak House (Downtown Manhattan)

Sarah Hurwitz - Former Michelle Obama Speech Writer

Sarah Hurwitz, head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama and author of the new book "Here All Along” joins Columbia-Barnard students at the Kraft Center. Besides discussing her new book, Sarah also discussed her experience as Mrs. Obama’s speechwriter, the challenges of writing for someone else while maintaining their voice, and her non-linear career path.