A Long Weekend

The work will always be there…

Celebrate and enjoy the long weekend.

Happy Labor Day!

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

Celebrating 5 Years

Thank you to all clients and friends of 51art for an amazing five years! On New Years Eve sitting along the East River,  a wonderful idea came to me.  This moment would define my new goals for 2011; two projects centering around the activities of the Upper East Side. Both based in photography; both based in community. -The first is 51art flavor, an online-magazine which brings together food, wine, art, photography-the “flavors” of the neighborhood.  There is so much creative energy in this part of town.  My goal is to bring it together here.  Bernadette who is interning this summer, will be writing fabulous articles about her discoveries.  Check back monthly for updates! -The second is a project which documents life on and along the East River.  Most recently I’ve had the privilege of working with the men and women who are rebuilding the East 78th Street footbridge.  Rain, snow, heat, these folks are out there everyday making it happen. I continue to photograph the work of some of the most talented interior designers here in New York City.  Their designs inspire and transform.  Truly amazing. I have also expanded my photography to portraits and headshots.   Clients include actors, musicians, singers, dancers, business owners and more. And when there is down time, I work on my fine art b&w’s where this journey began. Each day for me is full of joy, of passion, of creativity.  I can’t imagine life any other way. And could not do it without you. Thank you so much! Hold true to your passions and great things will come. -teresa adventure is life, live it!®

A Rainy Sunday Afternoon

The expression:  when you least expect it….something wonderful happens.  For me, it was about a month ago.  A new health and fitness magazine is launching in NYC and I have been asked to be Editor in Chief.  Very, VERY, exciting!

After doing some brainstorming, I discovered a great organization on the Hudson River that offers free kayaking to the public.  This was the right topic to focus on for the first magazine.  This fully volunteer group is known as The New York City Downtown Boathouse.

To get things started, I wanted to visit the boat house on Pier 96 and learn more about what they do and get ideas for some of the features.  Maybe line up a few people for interviews and photograph the activity on and off the water. Yesterday afternoon was open to begin the research, so I headed over to the west side of town.

The sky was partially cloudy and there was a chance of rain in the forecast.  I wanted to believe the showers would pass quickly and there would be a beautiful sunset in the background as the last Kayaks came in for the day.  The perfect photograph.

Instead, the brief shower turned in to a major downpour.  Only one boater was on the dock pulling in his craft-everything else was abandoned.

Since I had my camera in hand and was already wet, it seemed silly not to take advantage of the situation.  Balancing an umbrella with my chin, I held the camera with 2 hands and began shooting.  It really was a beautiful afternoon!

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So, next time I’ll have to pay better attention to the forecast and plan accordingly.  Maybe even use the rain poncho I had in my pack…

And over the next few weeks a visit to the boat house, on a clear day will be in order.  The story must be told!

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

Fine Art Portfolio Review

Professional Fine Art Portfolio Review, this is what I experienced on Wednesday May 26, 2010.  It was organized by the New York City Chapter of the ASMP.  There would be 40 individuals to review each of our portfolios of work.

This was my very first portfolio review.  EVER.  The day before/of the event I worked from 10:00am until 1:30am, fine tuning and printing 20 of my best Black & White film images.  A simple portfolio case was purchased the Saturday before to hold the prints.  I hoped it would look professional enough as I was going to be showing work with some of the best commercial/fine art photographers in NYC to some of the most prestigious art directors, magazine publishers, gallery owners, etc. in the photography world.

As I prepared my work for the review, my confidence began to build.  However, being new to this process there was always the nagging doubt about my artistic ability.  Let me mention again, I was playing in the big league now.  I took a deep breath and decided better to take the plunge and face the fear.  (You just never know until you try…..right?!)

In between printing, I took some time to read through the Bio’s of each of the 40 reviewers that were participating.  After the OMG moment passed, I ran to the dry cleaner to get my best suit.  (Chock it up to spending 20+ years in the corporate world!)  The people that would be looking at my portfolio were heavy hitters in the art world.  These creatives could take an unknown photographer and launch a career!

Let me give you a few examples-

• Elizabeth Avedon: Independent Curator and Consultant.  Formerly Creative Director for The Gere Foundation, Art Director for Polo Ralph Lauren national advertising and a co-founder of Tibet House, NYC.
• Stella Kramer: Photography Consultant.  Pulitzer Prize-winning Photo Editor who worked at such major publications as The New York Times, PEOPLE, Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, and Newsweek.
• Alex Niki: Editor in Chief, Resource Magazine
  
• Ruben Natal-San Miguel: Photographer/Curator/Art Collector/Writer

The images chosen were a cross section of the work created over the past 3 years.  A better portfolio would have been a cohesive story but I wanted to show a bit of what I’ve done to see what the experts thought was great work.  Interestingly enough, my newer work created over the last few months had the most favorable response.

The doubt of whether or not I had an artistic eye was no longer, as these reviewers commented that I had what it took.  Continue shooting with passion and powerful, emotional images will follow.  I was in awe of their accomplishments and was humbled by their response to my work.  Walking out of the session, 3 hours and 6 reviewers later, I felt like I could conquer the world.  There is a lot of work ahead, but I am very excited to continue the journey.

Thank you ASMP and all the participants of the evening.  It was an amazing experience.  Looking forward to next year!

Below are the 7 images that each reviewer found to be my most compelling.

Until next time.

teresa, 51art
adventure is life, live it! ®

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With Patience & Perseverance, Dreams Do Come True!

Marisha, the absolute Professional you want to help design your wedding invitations!

I have the pleasure to announce a very exciting  partnership.  On April 1, 2010 I met with Jessica Paulen of Judy Paulen Designs.  She is the buyer as well as owner of the stationery shop at the 59th street bloomingdale’s.  I shared with her “aTouchofYellowinNYC”.  She loved the note-cards!  So much so that they are now part of the assortment in her shop.

This is a dream come true!

Here are images of the cards and the shop.  When you are in town, please visit the 6th floor and tell them you are a friend of 51art.

Until next time!

teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®