Experienced the Shanghai Mermaid Dragon Ball with Miss Ida Blue this past weekend. Words don't do this event justice; it was dripping with 1920's elegance and an exquisite sense of time travel! We had the time of our lives; our senses taking in every moment from perfumed air, to sweet elixirs, splendid vintage costumes and decor; all entwined with the authentic saucy notes of the era from Miss Ida herself.
Mini shoot with Miss Ida at our neighborhood haunt. Thanks to the good folks at Mission Dolores!
I drove from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, along Highway One in California last week, stopping at many points along the way. I took a handful of photos with no particular vision or expectation... It was catch as catch can; mostly about mood and texture and less about documenting 'trip moments'... Living in New York, it's very important to me to leave as much as possible to have a broader connection with the rhythms of nature beyond the parks and local beaches I try to frequent.. It was an amazing journey; I loved every minute and can't wait to go back again.
©2014 Wendy Whitesell
My album cover portrait of 'Miss Ida Blue' was featured as one of the solo takeover images in the massive see | me Times Square exhibit last week (..on the video facade of the 25 story W Hotel!) I was in California and not present for the event, but really happy they provided this awesome photo-- nice night image, guys; not easy to do with all varying light. Really fun to be part of this! Big thanks to see | me for the initial invitation and to the folks who voted me and Miss Ida onto the W! I won't quit 'til I'm a star.. on Broaaadwaaaaay. LOL.
Photo courtesy see | me 2014
I had another 2-hour mini-shoot this weekend; this time with Ally who just moved to NYC from Detroit. We met at Central Park; she had one black dress, a pair of heels, light makeup, and we shot for exactly two hours.. It was a really fun and productive shoot; I loved how the dress was a perfect match for my location choice by coincidence, and I hoped the session would help Ally with a few initial photos for her new book. (I later found out she got booked for NYFW!)
Miss Ida Blue album cover all ready for print and press...
[photography + design: Wendy Whitesell for Miss Ida Blue]
Met up with the lovely model Paris D. for a mini photoshoot in Brooklyn.. No style team or planning, just us free-styling it around D.u.m.b.o and shooting in the moment.
©2014 Wendy Whitesell
Happy to participate in the annual ArtBridge benefit auction here in NYC. Event takes place on May 2nd, but items are already up for bid on paddle8.com, for the next 2 weeks. Check it out to support ArtBridge, an organization dedicated to bringing art into the public sphere by transforming sidewalk bridges into temporary exhibition sites of work by emerging artists.
My auction item 'Dreamscape' is a framed 14"x14" framed c-print 1/15.. I'm also including a piece from my 'Crosswalks' series. Bid on these and all artist works here:
dreamscape @2014 wendy whitesell foto digital mixed process
Took the train to Syracuse this past weekend to visit my wonderful friend Tara Hogan of ink + wit, and met her little ones for the first time. Never aspired to be a child photographer, but if it's this easy sign me up! These little dolls stole my heart... Catching up with Tara, seeing the winter landscape from the train, and staying in a charming Arts & Crafts era inn, made for a much needed break from NYC.
john button ©2014 wendy whitesell
Photowalk with IFC/International Center of Photography... East Village venues; shooting rabble rousers, and maybe a drink here and there ;)
dancers @2014 wendy whitesell foto
iphone snap from a Jeep window on the BQE... never tire of this view.... edited with snapseed
@2014 wendy whitesell foto
Got to go to the 'Ali: Photos by Thomas Hoepker' opening at MILK Gallery. Work as powerful as the icon they depict. Got to meet Mr. Hoepker for a brief moment; really nice guy to boot.
Irving Penn: On Assignment at Pace Gallery. I love working near the Chelsea galleries (in NYC), so I can catch a few heroes like Irving Penn after work or over a quick lunch walk. Sublime stuff this was.
Shooting A Kiss for Luck, an ongoing performance piece by artist James Leonard over the course of three weeks. Check it out live @ chashama / 266 W. 37th St. New York, NY / Live Performance10am-6pm Weds.-Sun. / JULY 24 - AUGUST 11
Presented by Open Source Gallery
It was really exciting to get the New York Times this morning and see a few images from Another New York.. Of course, an extra thrill to be included :)
This little girl waded shyly by herself, watching the other kids running in and out of the fountain at Washington Square but seemed reluctant to join in... At one point she approached the fountain, stood with this victorious gesture like she had just landed from a perfect back flip, bowed her head and then waded away. I was grateful for her taking this stance and happy to catch it.
© 2013 wendy whitesell foto
Got a chance to walk by the Barclay's today to see the installation for Another New York! Great job by ArtBridge and curators Mickalene Thomas and Jon Feinstein! Congrats to all involved!
I've been photographing figures in crosswalks on and off for the past few years, and more frequently since last October. I'm very happy to have five included in ArtBridge's Another New York at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn; curated by Mickalene Thomas and Jon Feinstein. Sponsored by Aperture Foundation. Opening today (July 9)
all photos © wendy whitesell 2013
Crosswalks compel me visually with their strong, graphic presence on New York City streets... On a daily basis, I use a shoot from the hip approach to capture these trusty black and white stripes we seek while walking thru congested streets, coupled with the blurred motion of unaware figures on a mission. I see crosswalks as an oasis for the urban pedestrian, but also as a zone for a competitive, hustle and bustle, body-as-vehicle New York lifestyle. -WW
Yogi, activist, and holistic strategist Jenna Marie Black and I met this past weekend in Central Park for a little visual story telling session.. (aka photo shoot!) Jenna was a joy to have in front of the lens... Still testing the D7100, and Jenna's goals were some personal branding images for websites, social media, etc. After some 'business-y' head shots, yoga poses, and some golden hour favorite dress shots, our last stop at Strawberry Field. There the 'Mayor of Strawberry Field' -who is known for his daily floral design on the 'Imagine' mosaic- invited Jenna to be part of his day's arrangement. Both being devout John Lennon fans, kindred spirits were in their element and photos were flying like long lost friends. So much fun...
All photos © wendy whitesell 2013
©2013 wendy whitesell foto
I'm very pleased to have five photos included in Artbridge's installation 'Another New York'. Works will be large scale and exhibited starting July 9 outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
