I shot Bill Clinton!

So last week I was called in to shoot for an annual dinner and celebration for City Year, a non-profit program under the Americorps umbrella that takes kids age 18-24 from all walks of life and pays a small stipend for a year while they are trained and utilized to do community service oriented projects. I knew a kids who did City Year between high school and College and in retrospect I wish I had done something like this program myself- it went a long way in showing him what ‘working in the real world’ can involve and he didn’t take a single thing about college for granted, I’ll tell you that much! But I digress…297CityYearDinnerMay27_SarahTew

The coolest thing about this event was that I was given the special assignment of shooting former President Bill Clinton before and during his speech. In fact, I ate strawberries and cheese in his green room (though note, he never entered said green room!) I chatted with Secret Service Agents! They were pretty icy actually, but I tried… he ended up being late to arrive and I never did get a chance to actually ‘meet’ him, like I had hoped… though he did say to me “Did you get it?” (yes) after my one and only posed shot of him standing with Jill Iscol, the evening’s honoree. Anyway, here are my favorite shots from the job. I really like the black and whites of Clinton standing ready backstage gathering his thoughts… he spoke extemporaneously (no notes!) for 45 minutes and the room was absolutely rapt in silence except for the odd click of my shutter. Also of note, Jack Lew, current Deputy Secretary of State also spoke…330CityYearDinnerMay27_SarahTewClinton Arrived… I start shooting from a bit of a distance with my long lens… nervous as can be, secret service agents glaring at me… and finally my big moment: the requested group shot.

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Above from left: Jack Lew, Bill Clinton, Jill Iscol.

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We walked into Pier 60 via the terrace walkway and I got a few shots of Clinton before he was introduced for his talk. Long lens, from about 150 feet away maybe.

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He was only scheduled to speak for 15 minutes, but of course he got to talking!

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Jack Lew, above. Jill Iscol, below.562CityYearDinnerMay27_SarahTew

Visit me during Open Studios this Weekend!

My studio building, (which is home to many painters and sculptors as well as a few other photographers) will be participating in an Open Studios weekend during May 30-31st, put together by the Long Island City Artists, of which I am a member. The public is invited to freely tour the buildings and enter many of the artists studios on Saturday and Sunday from 1-6pm. I will be there with my doors open and new work up on the walls!

It’s a lot of fun and you will definately be inspired by what you see. If you’ve never toured an open studios area before I highly recommend it! It’s really interesting to see the wildly different types of work being produced by NYC artists and most people are very happy to chat with you about what they are doing, how they do it, and what it means to them… Many of us will have work for sale– at NON-gallery prices of course, cut out the middleman, that’s what I say.

If you’re in the neighborhood you should know there is a deal for 5$ Margaritas and Mojito’s (and 10$ Pitchers of Sangria–now that’s a bargain) at La Vuelta Bistro, in building #7 on the map of the open studios…or 10-43 44th Drive. If you catch me at the end of Saturday Keith and I’ll probably be heading there myself at about 6:15pm! For Directions to my studio click up on the tab at left, or go to Hopstop and type in my address to get the simplest directions (including a map of how to WALK from the subway stops– so useful!): I’m at 43-01 22nd Street (Between 44th AVE and 43rd AVE– take note that they are Aves and not Roads or Streets or Drives, trust me…it can be confusing.)

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Maura and Basha’s Engagement Slideshow

Here is a slideshow for Maura and Basha…  I think this track really complements the good vibes and laughter these two had in the portrait session.
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Ryan Crosby - May 20, 2009 - 2:22 am

Look at those sexy bitches! Nice job! 🙂

Jaime and Jesse - May 30, 2009 - 9:12 pm

Happiness personified!!!

April - July 15, 2009 - 5:48 pm

Beautiful slideshow!

Maura and Basha's Engagement Slideshow

Here is a slideshow for Maura and Basha…  I think this track really complements the good vibes and laughter these two had in the portrait session.
[clearspring_widget title=”Animoto.com” wid=”4805fc0db4a3562c” pid=”4a1366b46f47d765″ width=”432″ height=”240″ domain=”widgets.clearspring.com”]
Ryan Crosby - May 20, 2009 - 2:22 am

Look at those sexy bitches! Nice job! 🙂

Jaime and Jesse - May 30, 2009 - 9:12 pm

Happiness personified!!!

April - July 15, 2009 - 5:48 pm

Beautiful slideshow!

Maura and Basha’s Engagement Portraits

Maura and Basha are having their wedding celebration on July 18th at the Seaman’s Church Institute Headquarters in downtown Manhattan- a very interesting venue that I look forward to shooting in. The theme will be nautical and after getting to know them I have no doubt the whole affair will be delightfully well put together. Yesterday we shot their engagement portraits in and around Madison Square Park– which they requested for the session. I’d never shot portraits around there before though I knew it was a lovely park… turns out to be a great spot to shoot and we got some nice city-vibe shots in the streets surrounding it as well. These two have been together a long time, and it shows! They were a blast to photograph– so sweet and full of loving energy! Here are some of my favorites…01Maura&BashaEngagement_SarahTewPhotography

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I could not resist the ConEd trucks.

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Had to incorporate this park-art though we were *not* allowed on the lawns/grass areas.

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Ah, New York.

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Can’t wait for the wedding!

kelly alice. - May 20, 2009 - 2:34 pm

absolutely beautiful!!!!!

xo

Eileen Akin - May 21, 2009 - 4:21 pm

These photos of Bash and Maura are marvelous! The photographer captured my two favorite young women perfectly. I can’t wait for the wedding!

Kim - May 24, 2009 - 6:22 am

You two are SO F—ING CUTE!!!!

June - May 31, 2009 - 4:53 am

They’re ALL great, but the top one is just a perfect, beautiful portrait of the happy two of you!

Mindy Best - June 1, 2009 - 11:11 pm

Love the street shot. It’s so perfect. Where did you find such a clean street?