CMA Shipping Conference Stamford, CT
We donated our photography for a fundraiser. Glad to help friends in the maritime industry. especially Beth Wilson-Jordan who is Executive Director of the Education Foundation of the Connecticut Maritime Association. The “CMA Shipping 2023” conference was a hit, well done Beth. The donations (for a quick portrait) raised money for scholarships and intern stipends which help to strengthen & support the industry.
Many don’t know but I have a Marine Engineering degree from the US Merchant Marine Academy, and served in the Naval Reserve. I’ve sailed the world aboard merchant ships it was quite the experience. I’ve always enjoyed the spirit of comradeship so to be amongst everyone in the maritime industry again was a true pleasure.
They say "it’s not about the destination… it's about the journey"
Do you agree?
Thankful that years ago I gave it a shot… took the leap from engineering and turned my lifelong passion into a career. Having collaborated with many I’m grateful for the adventures shared, the lives touched, the content created.
Always learning always growing still so many images to create stories to tell clients to serve. Our tools change the formats change the platforms now too… it’s getting more interesting right?
Life a beautiful ride let’s buckle each other in and go for it (I can drive or ride shotgun) and always remember… I’m here to help you in your journey - Chris
My Leroy Neiman Story
Early in my career I was covering a sports banquet for a non-profit organization… while crouched next to a table looking for an interesting angle, I noticed the unmistakable artist Leroy Neiman.
Seizing the opportunity I asked if I could take his portrait someday. He surprisingly said yes and handed me a card.
Leroy was a world famous artist know for color and movement in his paintings, so I had the idea to build a contraption that would spin behind him with pieces of color paper attached… thus mixing color and movement. I was finally putting my engineering degree to use lol. It was quite ambitious, took me days to build in my NYC apartment.
For the shoot I rented a studio, hired an assistant, and we set-up the contraption. The shoot went great, except I couldn't get the spinning background to look as good as it did in my testing. Leroy was a pleasure, very professional and a real warm guy... with his trademark cigar and bright yellow sports jacket, only he could get away with that. I tried to capture his spirit and those talented magical hands.
A week later I visited him at his studio on the Upper West Side, a beautiful space in an historic building just off Central Park. I brought images from the shoot. Even tho the images didn’t match my original vision I was very happy with the results. He liked them too and I gave him permission to use a few.
He then asked me if I ever played baseball. Strange question I thought. "Sure I played in little league" and before I knew it I found myself changing into a NY Mets uniform he just happened to have standing by. As I'm swinging the bat and making believe I’m standing at the plate getting ready for a pitch he’s taking photos of me. Weird cool moment.
I found out later many artists work with reference photos. Leroy was interested in how the uniform moved and wanted to capture a natural authentic look. At the time he was working on a new piece… of Mike Piazza, superstar catcher for Major League Baseball New York Mets and future Hall of Famer. and he would refer to those photos of me as reference.
Leroy Neiman was one of the most popular living artists in the US before his passing in 2012. I’m grateful for the experience we shared.
Never Again!
Will never photograph fireworks again… not gonna top this one lol. Lake Carmel, NY. Peace n love Happy 4th!
Dan Engelhardt's CD "Here at Last"
Cover image for Dan Engelhardt’s new CD “Here at Last”
Read More2 Minutes with Ty Pennington
Ty was in town filming a renovation show. Took a chance setup 'portable studio' in back parking lot… he was very busy but said YES. made sure to mention I’d only need him for 2 minutes. I kept my word. Thanks Ty! Here’s the shoot with some results at the end.
Flashes of Hope
Flashes of Hope is an organization that facilitates photographers to create free uplifting portraits to honor the life and memories of children fighting cancer. For this shoot we setup in a small area of a cafeteria at Montefiore Hospital, Bronx NY. FOH is now part of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade
Brooklyn's most creative colorful day! We set up in the parade staging area
Hawk Rock's "The Birds by Aristophanes"
Hawk Rock Theatre returned to Arts on the Lake with "The Birds by Aristophanes” last month. We set up backstage to capture cast members. Loved their unique hand-crafted costumes/puppetry
Jim Knipfel, Coney Island
Unearthed old polaroids. Liking this one captured in front of the Cyclone ride at Coney Island during a Tattoo & Body-Piercing Contest, mid-late 90s. After researching... winds up he's an accomplished writer... was Editor of infamous 'NY Press' will be reaching out him soon, see if he remembers this magical moment. Jasmine was diggin the copy set-up.
