Favorite Memory

I recently went to Florida to visit with my Grandmother who will be turning 96 in September.  She wrote me this poem and read it to me in a moment that will stay with me forever.

The Photographer by Helen Uhlin

 A photographer’s so important 

In a very special way,

To be where there is action

occuring every day.

In capturing the moment,

timing is an art;

And when the second’s right

the camera does its part.

To trust on memory is weak

when a crime is taking place,

But quickly snapping at the scene

can help to solve the case.

To photograph a family group

in a special accuracy

Preserves a wonderous treasure

for future ones to see.

So let us thank photographers

who stop the hands of time

For giving us unique pictures

to bring the past to mind.

 

What a difference a year makes

So I abandoned my blog for a while but I've been inspired to update again.

Wanted to share this video I made for an Art Show last month. Enjoy!

Wings That Carry Me Home

You cannot control anybody else's actions. And no matter how well you think you have your life planned out, it really is only up to you on what you do with it. Especially when a wrench is thrown at those plans, completely unexpected.
I recently went to Peru to find peace, solace and beauty in life and to regain a piece of me that I had taken away. While sitting perched atop a cliff, looking down on the beauty of Machu Picchu before me

watching the warm setting sun cover this ancient civilization, the words from LIVE's song "Wings" surrounded me and gave me exactly what I was searching for...a little bit of clarity.
"Sometimes you've got to die to be born again
Sometimes you've got to fight
Sometimes you've got to learn
Sometimes you've got to burn the old brush out, so the new can grow

The weight that lays on your shoulders
Could be the wings that carry you home"

This was an empowering moment for me as my whole life stood before me, waiting for me to make a move. The words from yet another song spoke out to me "Love Shines"
"On a crystal clear blue mornin'


There is a peace that only you can know


It is truth and love and it is always there


Even if you fall down


Even if you fall down, love shines

Think of gentle Jesus


Think of the Buddha underneath his tree


They taught the world about love and how we all can be


How we can all be free

Open our hearts and see love shine"

So you see it's not about the fact that you can't control other peoples actions, it's what you choose to do with it when it effects your own life. No one can take away what you are made of unless you let them. Unless you choose to let them. As for me, I'm coming out of this stronger, with a sense of being, a clarity knowing that I am filled with so much love that I will give freely to my family, friends and clients. God has blessed me in so many ways and I thank him for his spirit.

Ed Kowalczyk - thank you for writing the words that pushed me through this

Chad Taylor

Patrick Dahlheimer

Chad Gracey

Adam Kowalczyk - thank you for playing the music that makes those words sing.

Coming Soon: Gerald Goode "for those who have"

I've had the greatest pleasure working with up and coming artist Gerald Goode!

Gerald Goode is a new york metropolitan area-based musician known for his incredible voice, dynamic pop music, billboard-chart-topping remixes and his long-time tenure as the lead singer of the rock band simple jim. He is currently wrapping production on his first solo album, entitled “for those who have” due out in august 2008 on gerald's own imprint 'vessel music. the record, a return to album - oriented rock, flows seemlessly from song to song, along the way blending gerald’s soulful voice with his brooding piano riffs, reflective lyrics, and guitar-infused electronica. his music offers the commercial appeal of an artist in the vein of rob thomas, but also has the dark, emotive strains of an artist like fiona apple. gerald is a true artist with a penchant for putting it all out there for his audience; a singer and performer with undeniable charisma and presence; and a musician that is not afraid to take risks, experiment with different sounds, and forge business relationships while moving towards inevitable success. he is appreciative of the people that take the time to listen to his music and hopes that his fans enjoy it and can take something personal and real from it.

Check him out at www.myspace.com/geraldgoode

Fran Pieragostini

Being able to capture people as they truly are, the beauty within, the tiny moments that make up our lives is indescribable.  My friend Fran was an incredibly gorgeous woman, so full of life and love, a wonderful mother, friend, daughter and wife.  She passed away on Tuesday and I am so grateful that I am able to share with the world what this woman brought to each life she came into.   We will always love you and miss you Fran.    



Francesca M. Pieragostini and unborn child of Brewster, NY passed away peacefully on July 15, 2008. She was born on June 28, 1975 in Mount Kisco, NY to Nicola and Rosa Cambareri and raised in Bedford, N.Y. Francesca graduated from Fox Lane High School in Bedford and earned her BFA degree in Interior Design from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. She was married on September 21, 2001 to Justin Pieragostini at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mt. Kisco. She leaves behind her husband Justin, son AJ, parents Nicola & Rosa, siblings Joanna and Rocco, grandparents Giovanna and Francesco, father and mother-in-law Anthony and Cathy, brothers-in-law Adam and Joe, sisters-in-law Nicole and Kristie, grandmother-in-law Concetta and nephew Aidan. Francesca was an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to have known her. Never one to accept limitations, she followed and realized all her dreams, living a rich and fulfilling life. She will be remembered for spirit, her remarkable strength and the happiness she brought to everyone around her. We would like to thank our family and friends for all of their love, prayers, and support during this difficult time. We extend our gratitude to the staff at the New York Presbyterian Hospital for taking care of Francesca. Memorial donations may be made in Francesca Pieragostini s Name to Children's Cancer & Blood Foundation 333 East 38th Street Suite 830 New York NY 10014

Inspired

I spent the day on Monday with Carla Ten Eyck, Steve Depino and 20 other incredible photographers, getting inspired to take my photography to a new level.  Learned so much from everyone, just wanted to share a few images from the day.

I'm an Auntie (again)!

but this time I can say I have a Niece!!!  Having 5 nephews already, it is with wide open arms that we welcome Carly to the family.  She was born yesterday at 8:09am.  Olivia is so excited to have her 1st girl cousin.  Congratulations Chris & Michele!!!   

World Water Day: March 22, 2008

Take the World Water Day Challenge on March 22nd!

Thirst Relief International is proud to be part of the solution to the world water crisis through our current and ongoing water projects in the Amazon Region of Brazil, Mexico, Zambia, Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and India. To commemorate World Water Day 2008, we are asking you to take the "World Water Day Challenge" on March 22nd.

Here's how it works: commit to make water the only beverage you drink on March 22nd, and donate the money you would have otherwise spent on soda, coffee, beer, etc. to Thirst Relief International. Your donation will help fund the cost to drill a new well, repair a broken well hand pump, or install a BioSand water filter, thereby providing the gift of clean drinking water and the health and life that comes with it. All of Thirst Relief’s water projects provide a sustainable, long-term supply of clean drinking water to those in need for an average cost of less than $5 per person… $5 saves a life!

Be sure to ask your friends and family to join you in taking the World Water Day Challenge. With your help, we can save the lives of millions who are literally dying of thirst!

About World Water Day

World Water Day is an international day of observance and action to draw attention to the plight of the more than 1 billion people world wide that lack access to clean, safe drinking water. Celebrated since 1993, March 22nd was annually designated World Water Day when the United Nations (UN) General Assembly passed a resolution in 1992. With each passing year, the observance has grown larger and stronger.


To learn more about Thirst Relief International, or to donate to the cause, please visit www.thirstrelief.org.