Photographers have made photo-blogging very popular in recent years. After being a fan of many blogs myself, I decided that I too needed one. My intention for this fancy website was to share my work with you, book a few jobs, and possibly sell a couple of prints here and there. I didn't, however, realize this website's full potential until I posted my story on baby
Giovanni Guglielmo.
It was through my Giovanni post that I once again found my love for telling stories. I also realized what a great audience I had here. The response was phenomenal and it made me want to look for more stories to tell.
Helen Smith, my advisor on the Newtonite, gets the credit for this one. Helen was the person who really taught me to see a good story. Well Helen, I'm still trying!
This brings me to April 5th, 2008. I was watching the news when I heard about eight year old Kai Leigh Harriott. If you are from Boston, perhaps you have heard the name as well - She was the three year old who was paralyzed by a stray bullet in 2003.
While watching the news I found out that Kai was to receive an award at the
Urban League Gala that very night. I quickly put away what I was working on and headed to the Boston World Trade Center. Kai's story is nothing short of amazing & I wanted to tell it.
An innocent three year old, shot and paralyzed while playing on her otherwise safe porch. That's what happened to Kai.
"I chose instantly to forgive," said Tonya David, Kai's mom.
"God taught me how to forgive - he taught my heart - he showed me how to change - he taught me to forgive," she said.
"It's not easy to forgive someone who hurt you," said Tonya David - who in front of a packed courtroom in 2006, accepted the apology of Kai's shooter with a hug. "We are choosing to have forgiveness in our hearts," she said. "Forgiveness is the way."
Kai agrees. She publicly forgave her shooter in the same Boston courtroom.
After taking a minute to warm up to the mic (and the couple hundred people starring at her), Kai spoke. "I forgave because I thought it would be the right thing to do," she said. "You want to be happy. You don't want to be old and bitter."
I looked behind me for a second while Kai was speaking. Everyone was clearly taken back by her compassion and strength.
In a 2006 article written by the Boston Globe, Tonya David was quoted, "I don't want bitterness and anger in my life, and I don't want that for Kai Leigh. We are Christians. I tried very hard from the depths of my soul to hate Anthony, but it wouldn't come out."
The Urban League presented Kai and her mother with the the Lee F. Jackson Achievement Award for bringing their community together despite urban violence. Together they are working to create a foundation called
"Forgiveness is the Way."
Other media reports -
WCVB's Susan Wornick and Gail Huff -
WBZ's Lisa Hughes -
Kai on the Early Show -
The Boston Globe
I am sure that Kai and her mother will one day see this post, so feel free to leave them your well wishes below.
This website has been boring lately. I've been super busy and have not had time to post on here as much as I would like to!
A friend told me at dinner last week that she thought I had dropped off the face of the planet with no calls or website updates. "Are you sleeping all day?" she said. Aside from the days that I have - yes, slept all day, here is a look at what I've been up to.
If Jason can't hide - neither can I :)
Old Town Trolley had me back for a third photo shoot - this time for their
Ghosts and Gravestones tour.
Best ghost tour EVER! - BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!!
...We had fun with this one!
MORE FROM THIS SHOOT COMING SOON!
I've been trying to visit my friend Giovanni as much as possible, too.
I can't wait to see you this week pal!
SIMPLE AND PAINLESS!
I finally took my bone marrow donors test.
Save Giovanni's Friends is nearing it's 15,000th donor! CONGRATULATIONS Giovanni!
The beautiful Kai Leigh Harriott.
Her inspirational story, coming soon!
I shot another great event for
Hopple Popple last week. This one was at the
Taj Boston.
My friends from the
Emergent Energy Group needed corporate headshots for their website.
Here they are!
We had a gallery show at school!
More from this coming soon!
It's that time of year!
I shot a first communion last month, too.
Meet Saranac.
My Newton-friend Liz had me photograph her dog who is 94 years old (dog years). More coming soon!
My favorite family EVER!
The Sellke family asked me to do some informal portraits. OF COURSE I WILL!
Good Sports gave Kevin an award at the Roxy.
Kathy and I were jealous so we found our own medals!
Meet Corinne!
How cute is she?
My friend
Jill Litner Kaplan was part of this year's Boston Design Center
Dream Home.
I took this picture of her at the Dream Home Gala... Congratulations, Jill!
We graduated from
photo school! Oh, and Tammy had a baby boy!
MUCH more on this coming SOON!
Mikey went to a photoshoot at Fenway Park for Boston Magazine!
I went for behind the scenes... More on this after Boston Magazine hits the news-stands in October.
Hits for Kids had a photo shoot with some of the kids from
Christopher's Haven.
My friend "Eddo" from Our Lady's got married at the BEAUTIFUL Trinity Church in Copley Square!
Sarah & Ed.
Congratulations, enjoy Aruba! (More soon).
Allison Blanchard, soon to be baptised...
Reporting live, Michael Blanchard, godfather :)
Hopefully I gave you a couple reasons to check back this week! Thanks for stopping by!
Hits for Kids held it's first benefit dinner last night, hosted by David and Sharon Yogel, Kevin Youkilis and Enza Sambataro.
A very intimate setting for a charity dinner!
Place cards for Enza & Kev.
The WONDERFUL people from
Morton's Steakhouse, Back Bay were kind enough to donate their catering services to Hits for Kids.
I HIGHLY recommend the Morton's salad with apples and walnuts... and their pomegranate martini! ...The steak is alright, too!
David Yogel, with Sharon and Renee in the mirror!
Enza, looking hostess-like.
Guests arriving.
Chatting with Renee, probably about the charity!
New friends.
Our informal group shot on the stairs!
I don't like to post photos of people eating dinner, but here is one for you to get the idea...
Favors by
Harvard Sweet Boutique, of course!
Lesson of the night? Doing good things for others is fun!
This group of people all met for the first time last night. They enjoyed GREAT food, made friends, learned about
Hits for Kids, and got to ask Kevin a thing or two about that job of his... More importantly, they were given the opportunity to help us help the kids who need it most. It is because of each generous individual that Hits for Kids was able to have such a successful first year.
*For more photos from the party, click the green button below!
The
Ad Club of Boston is an age old organization filled with members from the wonderful world of advertising. The Ad Club holds between 12-20 events a year ranging from awards banquets to seminars and even golf tournaments. They are always a great time and are the perfect place to network! Yesterday the Ad Club held a series called "Here's the Pitch" at Fenway's
Game On.
Signage by the amazing Kim Nolen!
Key people which I need ID's on! :)
Happy advertisers thankful to be spending their Monday lunch break at Game On!
Dedicated.
Ad Club president Kathy Kiley.
Fran Kelly, CEO of
Arnold Worldwide.
Mr. Kelly gave a great presentation about pitching ad campaigns. You wouldn't believe the time effort and money that goes into simply proposing an idea for an ad! If anyone can do it though, it's Arnold. They have some of the most recognizable brands under their belt, including VW, Volvo, Jack Daniels and Ocean Spray.
Side note about me:
I never considered a career in advertising photography until recently. After taking a class with a renowned commercial advertising photographer and then being introduced to the Ad Club, I am pretty inspired to give it a go. I actually just wrapped up my first campaign for Old Town Trolley Tours of Boston. It was a TON of fun and I hope that this is the beginning of something great!
*Click on the green button below for more photos!
I don't quite understand how someone like Barbara Walters could ever find the time to write a best seller in between all that she has going on in her life, but I guess that's why she's Barbara Walters. Yesterday Barbara was at Saks Fifth Avenue in Boston signing copies of her new book, Barbara Walters Audition, a memoir. Saks Fifth Avenue really is the place to be these days.
I can't wait to read my signed copy!
Marcia Summers of Newton buying a copy of Audition.
A camera man for WGBH reads a bit of Audition while waiting for the interviews to begin.
Emily Rooney and Jared Bowen waiting to interview Barbara.
Barbara Walters getting ready to come out to the private party.
Friends of Saks Fifth Avenue lining up to get their copies of Audition signed at the private party upstairs.
Barbara Walters.
Joan Wallace-Benjamin, Liz Brunner and Lisa Rowan-Gillis.
Barbara Walters and Stephanie Warburg.
Kim Kozol, Andi Yanoff, Sinesia Karol and Leanne Miller.
Barabara went downstairs to sign a few copies for the general public as well.
Such a great shot of her.
Barbara Walters is one of the most important people in the history of broadcast journalism. I am so thrilled that my little job allows me to - for a brief period of time - work alongside such amazing people. Thanks again to my friends at Saks Boston!
**To view more photos, click on the green button below! -- To watch Liz Brunner's interview with Barbara, click
HERE.
The 2008
Boston Charity Wine season officially kicked off yesterday at Fenway Park's EMC Club. Featured in this years lineup is, Kevin Youkilis' "Sauvingnyoouuk-Blanc", David Ortiz's "Vintage Papi", Jason Varitek's "Captain's Cabernet", Curt Schilling's "Schilling Schardonnay", and Tim Wakefield's "CaberKnuckle". Each wine benefits it's own charity. The best part is, they only cost $14!
Your complete roster of wines ranging from red to white.
Kevin Youkilis, Michael "Mikey" McGee, and Enza Sambataro.
Susie Selby and Jennifer McSpadden.
Susie is the owner of
Selby Winery. She is the one providing the wine!
Mikey and D' (Ortiz).
Jason Varitek, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz.
Hey... are you 21??
Mikey wanted to go down to the field.
So we all went.
I love this one of you guys!
I hope the grounds-keeper doesn't see this one!
A quick kiss on the mound.
Hanging out in the dugout.
What you can't see is the Fenway Park tour thats going on to the left...
A huge group of tourists were ammused by us, and kept yelling Youuuuuk.
The Hits for Kids girls!
Melanie, Enza, Francine & Lindsey.
Mikey couldn't get enough.
Group shot on the field!
Check out coverage by the
Inside Track, and don't forget to buy a bottle of
Sauvingnyoouuk Wine!
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