Archive for: photography

Travel Photographer Andrew Ingersoll To Assist Conservation Scheme in Madagascar

Categories: charity, education, environmentalism, environmentalist, fundraising, news, non-profit, people, photography, travel
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The two-week expedition is run by the charity Azafady.

2011-06-13 (Sydney, Australia) – Andrew Ingersoll, a world traveller, professional

Andrew Ingersoll

nurse, and travel photographer for Rick Ingersoll’s blog “The Frugal Travel Guy,” has been accepted to participate in a two-week conservation expedition in Madagascar that is run by the charity Azafady.

On August 26, 2011, Ingersoll will depart from Sydney, where he has lived since 2008, to join Azafady’s Lemur & Biodiversity Research program in Madagascar, which will run through September 8.

“I’ve been lucky to have served in different volunteer settings in numerous places across America and am looking forward to volunteering in such a unique environment,” said Ingersoll, 30. Originally from Traverse City, Michigan (US), he has also worked as an evacuation and repatriation nurse in Australia and is currently pursuing a law degree at the University of New South Wales.

Azafady runs projects in rural southeast Madagascar supporting conservation, humanitarian and sustainable development projects. As part of the Azafady team, Ingersoll needs to raise a minimum donation of £600, or approximately $1000 USD, which will go to directly support Azafady’s work. A small proportion of that donation helps cover the volunteers’ food, training and travels in Madagascar.

Set in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island and is recognized as one of the planet’s top conservation priorities. Eighty per cent of the island’s plant and animal species, including 71 species of lemur, are not found anywhere else on earth. For its Conservation scheme, Azafady works with Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza (PBZT), the national botanical and zoological gardens of Madagascar, which is striving to be the leader in captive breeding of the nation’s primate species.

Andrew Ingersoll will work with the PBZT staff and with Azafady in the Fort Dauphin region of southeast Madagascar, an area that has been substantially deforested but retains fragments of some of the most important tropical forests in the world. The Conservation team’s work will concentrate in the littoral forest (close to the shore), a highly endangered coastal habitat.

Ingersoll is accepting donations to his target goal by phone (+4420 8960 6629) or through this direct link: http://www.bmycharity.com/AndrewIngersoll . For more information on Andrew Ingersoll, visit http://frugaltravelguy.com and click on “Andrew Ingersoll: Photographer.”

For further information on Azafady and the Conservation scheme, visit www.madagascar.co.uk.

About the Conservation scheme:

The non-profit Azafady UK Conservation scheme was set up in 2009 to support the ongoing conservation projects of Azafady. It runs year-round and allows volunteers to be involved in all the different aspects of Conservation work through modular courses. All revenues generated above costs are donated to Azafady (registered UK Charity number 1079121). For further information contact Mark Jacobs, Managing Director, Azafady UK, 020 8960 6629.

Artists’ Portrait Finds A Permanent Home in Greenville Museum of Art

Categories: art, business, downtown Raleigh, education, news, North Carolina arts, people, photography, Raleigh arts scene
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Allen Weiss’ photographic portrait of Frances Speight and Sarah Blakeslee is donated.

June 12, 2011 (Raleigh, NC) – The 1988 black and white portrait of legendary North

1988 portrait of Sarah Blakeslee and Frances Speight by Allen Weiss has been doated to the Greenville NC Museum of Art.

Carolina artists Frances Speight and Sarah Blakeslee by Allen Weiss has been donated to the Greenville Museum of Art to accompany the permanent gallery there honoring the couple, who lived in Greenville.

The portrait was part of a recent exhibition at Lee Hansley Gallery in Raleigh entitled, “Black & White, Color & Light: Photographs by Allen Weiss and Works by His Subjects.” The exhibition included Weiss’ portraits of 11 of North Carolina’s premiere artists, first shown in 1988 when the collection was commissioned by Melissa Peden, a respected art patron and former gallery owner. All of three of the artists are deceased now, including Speight and Blakeslee.

Marion Johnson Church of Raleigh purchased the Speight and Blakeslee portrait and donated it to the Greenville Museum of Art in honor of her grandson, John Church Bacon, who is retiring from the Museum’s Board of Trustees.

“The gift honors his service to the museum,” said gallery owner Lee Hansley who arranged the sale. Hansley’s gallery hosted the exhibition from March 13 through April 30th originally, then extended it for two more weeks.

Weiss, principal of Allen Weiss: Works on Film & Paper in Raleigh, was delighted to hear about the donation.

“It is always gratifying when someone thinks enough of your work to buy it,” he said. “As someone who has exhibited with other photographers who have work in art institutions, I’ll admit I’ve always been a bit jealous. It means the world to me to know my work is finally in the permanent collection of a museum.”

Lee Hansley Gallery also arranged the sale of six portraits from the show to Johnson Development Associates, Inc. of Spartanburg, SC, to add to the company’s extensive collection of art by Southern artists.

To see the complete collection of Weiss’ black and white portraits of North Carolina artists, go to www.allen-weiss.com/stills_menu and click on “Projects & Series.”

For more information on Allen Weiss: Works on Film & Paper, visit www.allen-weiss.com.

For more information on the Greenville Museum of Art, go to www.greenvillemuseum.org. For more information on Lee Hansley Gallery, visit www.leehansleygallery.com.

About Frances Speight and Sarah Blakeslee:

From the Greenville Museum of Art:  “Francis Speight and his wife Sarah Blakeslee are two of the most important artists who lived and worked in North Carolina during the 20th century… Speight taught painting and drawing at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts from 1925 until 1961. In 1936 he married Blakeslee, who had been one of his students at the academy’s Country School at Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. In 1961 they moved to Greenville, North Carolina, where Francis became the artist-in-residence at East Carolina College. Sarah painted and taught adult classes at local art centers.”

About Allen Weiss:

After 15 years as a professional photographer in Raleigh and New York, Allen Weiss turned his attention towards short films, public service announcements and television commercials, both regionally and internationally. Recently, he launched Allen Weiss: Works on Film & Paper to offer still photography of all varieties, film and video (director, DP, cameraman), and freelance writing/branding. For more information visit www.allen-weiss.com.

RHA Howell Hires Allen Weiss To Create New Advocacy Video

Categories: business, charity, Film, Film Production, fundraising, news, non-profit, people, people with disabiliites, photography, video
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This will launch a new grassroots advocacy, awareness, and fundraising campaign.

Director/camerman/photographer Allen Weiss

 

March 3, 2011 (Raleigh, NC) – RHA Howell, Inc. has hired Raleigh photographer/director/cameraman Allen Weiss, of Allen Weiss: Works on Film & Paper in Raleigh, to create a video as part of a new grassroots advocacy and awareness effort.

RHA Howell is a non-profit, state-wide organization that has been serving children and adults with disabilities and their families for nearly 40 years.

Weiss’ “day in the life” video will present a realistic view about families, their loved ones, and people who participate in some of RHA Howell’s very innovative programs. He will be traveling to Wrightsville Beach, Goldsboro, LaGrange and other locations to gather footage for the video.

“We want to give viewers a true sense of the challenges these families face, and we want to celebrate the accomplishments, choices and opportunities of the children and adults that RHA Howell supports,” Weiss said. “Those accomplishments may be simple, ordinary tasks for the rest of us, but for the children and adults served by RHA Howell and their families, they’re huge.”

“The video will serve to remind any public and private entities not only about why they support RHA Howell, but also about just how badly these funds are needed for non-profits across the country,” said RHA Howell’s Grassroots Fundraising Coordinator, Debbie Valentine. “We stand committed to providing the very best support and opportunities, because closing programs would leave many with no where else to turn. But we need help from our communities and our legislators.”

The completed video will be presented for the first time at RHA Howell’s annual Epicurious Vino Challenge, the popular food and wine fundraising event to be held at Hinnant Family Vineyards in Pine Level, NC, in June. It will then be distributed to the community, potential donors, and to legislative policy makers.

Allen Weiss is an accomplished filmmaker/videographer with many public service announcements (PSAs) and short films to his credit. Among other work on film and video, he created an AIDS-related PSA that won Best in Show at the Addy Awards, a major fundraising short film for the Methodist Home for Children, a PSA for the NC Holocaust Memorial, the KidsVotingNC PSA before the 2008 election, and a promo piece for the North Carolina Symphony.

For more information on Allen Weiss, visit www.allen-weiss.com or visit the Allen Weiss: Works on Film & Paper Facebook page.

For more information on RHA Howell, visit www.rhahowell.org.

Lee Hansley Gallery Presents “Black & White/Color & Light: Photographs by Allen Weiss and Works by His Subjects”

Categories: art, events, news, North Carolina arts, photography, Raleigh arts scene
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George Bireline 1988 © Allen Weiss

(RALEIGH, NC) – Joe Cox, George Bireline, Herb Jackson, and Edith London are only four of the 11 prominent North Carolina artists, both living and deceased, whose portraits and works will be featured in a special exhibition at Lee Hansley Gallery in Raleigh beginning March 13.

 

Entitled “Black & White/Color & Light,” the exhibition will include black and white photographic portraits of well-known artists by Allen Weiss, alongside examples of their work. The featured artists are: Edith London, Ted Potter, Herb Jackson, Joe Cox, George Bireline, Harvey Littleton, Maud Gatewood, Claud Howell, Robert Irwin, Francis Speight, and Sarah Blakeslee.

 

The genesis for the show began 23 years ago when Weiss returned to his native Raleigh

Sarah Blakesless and Francis Speight 1988 © Allen Weiss

after living in New York City for five years. Melissa Peden, a respected art patron and art gallery owner, suggested that he photograph “living legends of the art world in North Carolina,” he recalled.

 

Over two decades later, gallery owner Lee Hansley was made aware of the Weiss portraits and decided to show this body of work, which has taken on added historical importance since nine of the 11 artists are no longer living.

 

“This is going to be a nostalgic exhibition. These portraits capture the essence of these artists and we shall reinforce that with examples of their work,” said Hansley. “It is going to be a trip down North Carolina’s artistic memory lane.”

 

Hansley noted that the “black and white” from the show title refers to Weiss’ large-

Ted Potter 1988 © Allen Weiss

format, black and white images of the artists in their respective environments. “Color and light” makes reference to the works of art to be displayed in concert with the portraits.

 

According to Weiss, major advances in printing from original negatives have introduced a visual depth to his artists’ portraits that wasn’t possible when he shot them 23 years ago. “Simply put, I’m seeing details in these prints that I never imagined could be pulled from negatives.”

 

Weiss worked in Raleigh and New York as a professional photographer for about 15 years, including studying under and working for world-renowned photographer Arnold Newman. In the early ‘90s, Weiss’ career veered into directing and shooting television commercials throughout the US, Canada and Europe. Inspired by the opportunity to exhibit his photography again, he has made the decision to “put still photography back in the mix” of his career.

 

The opening reception for “Black & White/Color Light” will be held Sunday, March 13, from 2-5 p.m. Lee Hansley Gallery is located at 225 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27603. The exhibition will run through April 30.  For more information contact the gallery at 919.828.7557.

 

For more information on Allen Weiss, visit www.allen-weiss.com.

Triangle Modernist Houses.com Presents “Visual Acoustics” at Galaxy Cinema

Categories: architecture, art, Film, mid-century architecture, modern architecture, non-profit, photography
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A still image from "Visual Acoustics"

April 12, 2010 (CARY, NC) –Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH) and Nowell’s Contemporary Furniture will conclude this year’s Architecture Movie Series with a special screening of “Visual Acoustics” on Thursday, April 22, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Galaxy Cinema in Cary.

Narrated by Dustin Hoffman, “Visual Acoustics” celebrates the life and career of Julius Shulman (1910-2009), widely considered the world’s greatest architectural photographer. His images brought modern architecture to the American mainstream., capturing the work of nearly every modern and progressive architect since the 1930s including Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, John Lautner and Frank Gehry.

According to the website JuliusShulmanFilm.com, “His images epitomized the singular beauty of Southern California’s modernist movement and brought its iconic structures to the attention of the general public. This unique film is both a testament to the evolution of modern architecture and a joyful portrait of the magnetic, whip-smart gentleman who chronicled it with his unforgettable images.”

TMH intended to launch the Nowell’s Architecture Movie Series with “Visual Acoustics” in December but the film didn’t arrive in time. Tickets purchased either online or at the door in December will be honored. To purchase tickets now, go to www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/register.htm. Advance tickets are $7.95 or $9 at the door.

Sponsors for this special screening include the bar Foundation in downtown Raleigh, LightTech Architectural Lighting in Pittsboro, Tonic Design/Construction in Raleigh, Kontek Systems in Research Triangle Park, Frank Bowman Designs Inc, and Alphin Design-Build in Raleigh. Nowell’s Contemporary Furniture in Cary has been the primary sponsor for the entire series.

Galaxy Cinema is located at 770 Cary Towne Boulevard, across the street from Cary Towne Center (www.mygalaxycinema.com).

For more information on TMH, visit www.trianglemodernisthouses.com.

About Triangle Modernist Houses

Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH) is a 501C3 nonprofit established in 2007 to restoring and growing modernist architecture in the Triangle. The award-winning website, now the largest educational and historical archive for modernist residential design in America, continues to catalog, preserve, and advocate for North Carolina modernism.  TMH also hosts popular modernist house tours several times a year, giving the public access to the Triangle’s most exciting residential architecture, past and present. These tours raise awareness and help preserve these “works of art” for future generations. Visit the website at www.trianglemodernisthouses.com. TMH is also available on Facebook.

Raleigh Photographer Books 72 Clients In One Day

Categories: business, downtown Raleigh, photography
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Max Cohen © Cohen Studios

March 5, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – Max Cohen of Cohen Studios in Raleigh has become a big fan of Groupon.com, a website that uses “collective buying power” to create all sorts of deals for its users.

After advertising a deeply discounted portrait session on Groupon recently, Cohen booked 72 sessions in one day.

Cohen opened his professional photography studio in downtown Raleigh 2009. Since then, he’s been open to a variety of methods for raising awareness of his services in wedding, portrait, commercial and editorial photography. When a representative for Groupon came calling, he thought he’d give it a try.

“The people at Groupon contacted me about featuring my studio on their homepage. I’d actually never heard of them before, but it seemed like a good idea because, even though the deep discount cuts into profit, I could see how it could bring people in the door. As a new businesses, that’s extremely important. But I would honestly never have guessed that it would have gotten me 72 clients in one day.”

He noted that a number of folks who contacted him via Groupon are pregnant women, “which means I’ll be the first one to give them a professional portrait with their new child. That’s quite a privilege.”

Groupon (www.groupon.com/raleigh-durham/) offers a “deal of the day” in over 30 cities, including the Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area. Discounts on everything from photography and spa services to restaurant items and horse trail rides range from 50 percent to 90 percent off of the regular prices.

“By promising businesses a minimum number of customers, we get discounts you won’t find anywhere else,” says the website. “If not enough people sign up, then the deal is canceled, and the buyer won’t be charged.

Groupon makes its money by taking a percentage of each Groupon deal they sell.

Cohen said he intends to keep using this online marketing opportunity as he builds his clientele.

“I have talked to the people at Groupon, and we’re definitely going to be doing more features on the studio throughout the year,” he said. “So that means every few months there will be greatly reduced prices on various services that I offer.  I have high hopes for it.”

For more information on Cohen Studios, visit www.cohenstudios.com.

For more information on Groupon, go to www.groupon.com.

About Cohen Studios

A graduate of the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, Max Cohen of Cohen Studios has been a professional photographer for five years, working in both digital photography and film. At H.I.P., he was exposed to a wide range of technical skills and studied under world-renown photographers as instructors and guest speakers. Describing himself as a “generalist,” he enjoys all types of subjects, from children and high school senior portraits to commercial and editorial assignments. For more information, visit www.cohenstudios.com. Cohen Studios is also available on Facebook and Citysearch.

Lather Hair Salon, Cohen Studios Collaborate for Fashion Portfolios

Categories: beauty, business, fashion, hair care, hair styling, photography
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Hair by Jessica Williams, Lather Hair Salon. Photos by Max Cohen, Cohen Studios

February 10, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – Raleigh hair stylist Jessica Williams of Lather Hair Salon and photographer Max Cohen of Cohen Studios decided to pool their creative resources recently to build both of their portfolios.

Williams needed to create and document a few color and styling techniques that she doesn’t often get to do in the day-to-day work of a hair salon.

“As much as I love treating, cutting, coloring and styling hair for everyday wear, sometimes it’s fun — and challenging — to stretch the envelope, so to speak, and show the edgier side of my artistry,” said Williams, whose salon was recently named one of Raleigh’s trendiest hair salons by American Salon magazine. Her work is also featured in this month’s Rouge magazine. “Bold color and dramatic cuts are seldom requested by our ‘regular’ clients!”

Williams is also applying to become a training specialist for Wella hair care products and needed photos of her work to accompany the application.

Enter Max Cohen of Cohen Studios in downtown Raleigh.

For several months, Williams has displayed examples of Cohen’s work on a wall in the salon. They’d met during a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser for which they’d both volunteered. It seemed natural to ask him to collaborate.

“And I was more than happy to do it,” said Cohen, who specializes in portraiture and wedding photography. “I was already interested in expanding the fashion portion of my portfolio, so when Jessica approached me about shooting some examples of her edgier work, I immediately saw how it would benefit both of us.”

Williams found three clients who were willing to let her go a bit extreme with their hair. For one model, she added bold reds to her long brown hair then shortened the cut with multiple layering to create a sweeping silhouette around her head. “Very rock-n-roll,” Williams quipped.

For another model, Williams created deep, heavy bangs, or “fringe,” then added warm browns to the model’s original color as well as bold blond chunks to dramatically lighten the top. A hint of curl around the model’s face completes the look.

For the only guy in the group, Williams opened up the facial area and turned a previously shaggy style into a striking geometric look.

The photo sessions took place in the salon, in Cohen’s studio, and near a train track that slices through downtown Raleigh where for natural lighting.

“I wanted to do some studio shots because that would allow me to emphasize the hair without environmental distractions,” Cohen said.

Williams and Cohen intend to continue collaborating as both professionals build their portfolios.

“It was a lot of fun,” Cohen said.

Williams agreed. “Max is really easy to work with, and seeing my work through his gorgeous images is exciting.”

For more information on Lather Hair Salon, visit www.latherhairsalonnc.com

For more information on Cohen Studios, visit www.cohenstudios.com.

About Lather Hair Salon:

Lather Hair Salon is a full-service, upscale salon specializing in color, cuts, waxing, deep conditioning treatments, shine glossing, perms, anti-curl treatments, and both trendy and classic styling. The salon was recently named one of the best salons in Raleigh by American Salon magazine. Lather also offers special wedding party services both in-salon or on location, and the stylists maintain “Hair Academy 101,” an on-going blog on hair care, styling, products, and DIY techniques. Lather Hair Salon is also available on Facebook and through Citysearch. For more information, visit www.latherhairsalonnc.com or call 919-792-0715.

About Cohen Studios:

A graduate of the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, Max Cohen of Cohen Studios has been a professional photographer for five years, working in both digital photography and film. At H.I.P., he was exposed to a wide range of technical skills and studied under world-renown photographers as instructors and guest speakers. Describing himself as a “generalist,” he enjoys all types of subjects, from children and high school senior portraits to commercial and editorial assignments. For more information, visit www.cohenstudios.com. Cohen Studios is also available on Facebook and Citysearch.

Cohen Studios To Capture “After” Portrait for Make-over Contest Winner

Categories: beauty, news, photography
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Max Cohen © Cohen Studios

January 21, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – Max Cohen of Cohen Studios in Raleigh has volunteered to provide a free photographic portrait of the results of a hair and makeup make-over for the winner of a Raleigh salon contest.

Lather Hair Salon recently announced its “Help Me, Lather! I Need A Make-Over!” Essay Contest. Contestants send the salon a 250-word essay, with photo, on why they or someone they nominate deserves a full, free make-over.

The winner will receive as many services as she wants: cut, color, styling and more, plus full make-up application. When the process is complete, Cohen Studios will capture the results in a free color portrait.

“It’s going to be interesting to see who wins,” Cohen said, “and how transformative the results will be. I’m really excited about documenting the ‘new look’ and that special moment for the winner.”

The contest is open now through February 28th.

Cohen has collaborated with Lather Hair Salon on other projects and is currently showing examples of his work in the salon, which is located off Glenwood Avenue/Highway 70W, near Carmax. (For more information on Lather Hair Salon and the “Help Me, Lather! I Need A Make-Over!” Essay Contest, go to www.latherhairsalonnc.com.)

Max Cohen has extensive experience with formal studio portrait photography and environmental portraiture in both black and white and color, on film and digitally. His website, www.cohenstudios.com., includes portrait galleries, as well as galleries of family portraits, wedding photography, and urban landscapes.

For more information on Cohen Studios, go to www.cohenstudios.com.

About Cohen Studios

A graduate of the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, Max Cohen of Cohen Studios has been a professional photographer for five years, working in both digital photography and film. At H.I.P., he was exposed to a wide range of technical skills and studied under world-renown photographers as instructors and guest speakers. Describing himself as a “generalist,” he enjoys all types of subjects, from children and high school senior portraits to commercial and editorial assignments. For more information, visit www.cohenstudios.com. Cohen Studios is also available on Facebook and Citysearch.