As is the tagline for Chase Jarvis’s Best Camera app, my iPhone has become my point-and-shoot camera while spending the NY winter Carioca style (read: sun, sand, and saltwater instead of snow). All photos have been edited on the iPhone using the Best Camera, Mill Colour, and Photoshop for iPhone apps.
After a day of rest on January 1st, 6 French, 2 Brazilians, 1 Belgian, and 1 American set off to an island that has made it’s way into my top 3 places on the planet (interchangeable with Isola Elba and Le Cinque Terre, both located in the lovely country of Italy). I’m not going to get into the kind of confusion that was caused by so many different languages traveling together (there was a lot), but instead just let you know that if you ever truly wanted to relax and remember what life is all about, then this is a very beautiful place to do so.
When I left Rio for the island, I had about a year’s worth of tension and stress built up in my shoulders. My creative energies were at an all time low and inspiration was nowhere to be found. It didn’t help that my friends who planned the trip made it clear we were going to be spending the week living in tents. Yes, I am from the country, but having experienced far too many uncomfortable camping trips sleeping on roots, attempting to keep stuff dry in the rain, and having your campsite invaded by bears is enough to be put off of it permanently (at least in my case – I’m sure some of you live for that kind of shit). But alas, I was determined to go see this island that I had heard so much about.
The first night we pulled into Palmas which I immediately dubbed Hippy Beach because of the many tanned kids getting their hair put into dreadlocks while chilling on the beach. My nickname proved well for other reasons I won’t get into.
The following day was spent on a private boat exploring some seriously cool waters and beaches before leaving us at Abraão for the remainder of the week. I was exhausted, sunburned, and waterlogged by the time we reached the Holandes International Hostel. It must have been extremely obvious because the girl at check-in not only offered me water, but beer or caipirihnas if alcohol would be of more help. She proved to be one awesome chick and that hostel will definitely see my face again.
As my dear friend and travel buddy, Thabata, says, “When in hell, hug the devil.” And that we did. This may not seem like much to most of you, but I slept in a tent for a whole week and didn’t complain. I learned that I don’t need to wear eyeliner on a daily basis. That the best life you can live is when you live in your bikini. And most importantly, I got back that joie de vivre that had gotten lost in the stress of the last year.
As always, full set of photos can be viewed on flickr.
I’ve always had this theory that New Year’s Eve should be spent on the beach. This year I have proved my theory correct and elaborated on it: New Year’s Eve should be spent on the beach in Rio.
And also, the first day of the year should always see a sunrise such as this:
On Christmas day I left Rio to spend a couple of days on my dear friend’s father’s farm a couple hours outside of the city. Now you have to understand that I’m originally from Northern NY where commercial farms abound and there are more cows than people. I didn’t really understand farms such as this existed — not for profit, just to live off the land. I thought it was a rural myth. But alas, here it is. Cows and all. The full set of images can be viewed on flickr.
If I haven’t talked your ear off about it for the past six months, you are a fortunate soul. I am currently in Brazil for an indefinite period of time. The initial reason my ticket was booked was for my dear friends’ wedding. After being laid off from my art director position at Honey Magazine, I was presented with a window of opportunity that doesn’t come along all that often to leave Brooklyn for a little while longer than anticipated. Instead of freezing in New York this winter, I’ll be working on my tan, photographing the favelas, and handing out my lovely new business cards. (Side hustle: download my resume here if interested.)
Anyway, the wedding was in Corcovado at the Cristo Redentor. Super touristy and crowded, but the view was worth the overpriced tram ride that happened to break on the way up and make us late to the ceremony. The chapel was tiny and full of family and friends, and afterward there were tourists everywhere which made for a difficult photo situation, but the bride and groom looked so happy it kind of cancels out the clutter. The rest of the set can be viewed on flickr.
Top: Ana and Mikael getting married in the chapel at Cristo Redentor
Bottom: hills of Brazil
Top and Bottom: the bride and groom
Top: the couple with their parents – Ana is from Rio, but Mikael’s family traveled all the way from France.
Middle: more hills in Rio; Cristo Redentor
Bottom: the newlyweds
Top: the families pose for photos; Ana and her father
Middle: Rio de Janeiro
Bottom: Ana and Mikael; Ana and Mikael’s sister, Joanna
Top: the couple give a toast
Middle: mother of the bride toasts; champagne glasses; the bride with the groom’s mother
Bottom: Copacabana beach; another of Ana
Last weekend I was asked to photograph a baby shower. Mind you, I don’t recall if I had ever been to a baby shower prior to this. I vaguely remember attending one for a babysitter when I was maybe 5 years old. It’s clearly been awhile.
At any rate, although I am not a baby person, I couldn’t help my heart turning to mush when all the tiny clothing and accessories came out of the packages. Matt and Munawar’s friends are very thoughtful and bought them the sweetest things to prepare for their plus 1.
On another note, their gut renovated Chelsea apartment was a treat in itself. Matt is a fabulous architect and their home proved that well. Simply stunning.
Top row from left: vino for the non-pregnant attendees; delicious snacks; the apartment is ready for the guests to arrive
Second row: the father-to-be, Matt; mother-to-be, Munawar
Third row: Games! Guess which baby food; pin the diaper on the baby; beans for boys, pistachios for girls
Bottom: view of the hallway; guess the size of her belly (37.75 inches)
Top: David had more fun with the gifts than anyone
Middle: the esteemed guests: Melissa, Kelly (one of the hosts), Myriel, Heidi, David
Bottom: Munawar checks out the tiny hand knit mittens; Munawar’s mother, Farhat checks out the Tickle Monster gloves (who knew?? so great); Valerie
Top: Heidi and Scott made an origami mobile for the parents-to-be (please note how you can’t tell she’s pregnant when looking straight on — it’s incredible!)
Second row: Munawar and her mother, Farhat
Third: Fran; Munawar unwrapping gifts; Scott shows off his handiwork; digging into the presents; Anne
Bottom: “Don’t Have Ugly Children” chewing gum; Matt finds a spot to hang the mobile
The rest of this set can be seen on my flickr page.
Last week I attended the music geek party of the season. Ganucheau’s set was a super trippy ride that soothed the soul. A perfect intro to the baile funk beats that Zuzuka Poderosa followed with backed by DJ David Last.
She’s got another party tonight at Le Poisson Rouge that is sure to be epic. Come and dance with me…
From top: Zuzuka Poderosa; DJ David Last; Ganucheau
Thanksgiving with my family has become an interesting affair in the last couple of years. As a whole, we are a tried and true American family. The men like football, the women like shopping, and we all have a penchant for a good, strong drink.
Much to my family’s confusion and dismay, there are now three vegetarians in attendance during the holidays: myself and my two lovely blond cousins. Although most of our family members ask time and again, “but if you don’t eat meat, what DO you eat?!” my Aunt Lynn has majorly stepped up her Turkey Day game and that is precisely the only thing left off of our plates: the game. This year was absolutely the best Thanksgiving dinner I have ever had.
Anyway, a few photos from the holiday. I actually happen to be in a couple as there was a budding photographer in the house digging my camera.
From left: Kelley + Sarah (the other vegetarians)
Left: my grandmother, Marilyn Rollo; Right: my brother, Matt, myself, and my father, Rick (my dad recently had hip replacement surgery and I wanted to showcase his sweet cane)
My father is the oldest of 5. My poor grandmother has had to put up with him for close to 60 years… but he still makes her laugh.
Clockwise from left: Aunt Nancy with a beer from my Uncle’s keg; Nancy, my cousin Jessica, + me; Aunt Lynn letting me test out her amazing cranberry sauce (this year with oranges in it!)
I don’t speak Portuguese which makes it slightly difficult to write a review on these two Brazilian bombshell musicians. That and the fact that I am in no way a music journalist. But I’ve seen the crowds these two bring out in their respective urban audiences that span across two hemispheres. Zuzuka, who happens to be my roommate and key to the multilingual nightlife of my beloved city, emcees over ghetto fab baile funk beats. She’s just posted some new tunes featuring El Negro Mozambique, another Brazilian dj and emcee with whom I am fortunate to call a friend 
Now if you’ll excuse me for a moment as I appeal to the inner design geek in me, but take note of her dope logo featuring her sexy lips that our dear friend Juliano Domingues designed for her.
Now about Miss Supervixen. One half of the band Sunsplash, that of which stands for “happysongs.” I quote from their bio that they
“are south americans traveling around the world, making records & art for life. We like to sing songs in many many languages as we discover things on the road and get to meet amazing people in the process.”
Sounds about right to me. Sounds like sultry summer nights dancing on the beach. Which reminds me how glad I am to have booked a trip to Brazil for the holidays. In about one month that is exactly what I will be doing.
Anyway, I shot these two at Collective Hardware in July. They were stunning in their Choos.
First outfits (the darker ones) c/o Honey Magazine and shoes c/o of Jimmy Choo.
Second outfits (the colorful ones) were the ladies’ own.
Makeup by Mariella Gonzalez
In my most recent shoot for Honey, we trekked out to Bushwick to photograph HOT 97’s newest AM DJ, K. Foxx. One thing I can tell you – and after checking the photos I’m sure you will agree – is that this chick most certainly does not have a radio face. Read the Honey interview here.
Photos by ME!
Styling by Terrence Phearse
Hair by Clark Vincent
Make Up by Javier Romero