Staten Island Technical High School Prom/ Amal & Company

I had never been to Staten Island before. Leroy, my husband's best friend, grew up there and had extended the invitation to visit numerous times over the tenure of our relationship, though in my mind it was always "Take a ferry? You must be kidding! Do I need my weekend bag?"

Enter Zainab. Also a college friend of Jorge's. Also from ... take a guess?.... Staten Island! A couple week's ago she invited me to shoot her sister Amal's pre-prom party at their family residence. Of course I took advantage of the opportunity to vicariously live through a group of gregarious twenty - eight 18 year olds and their "I - own - the - world - mantra." After all, my heart sings at the slightest signs of idealism and adventure! Oh and it was all that and more!

Amal is beautiful. I mean model-type beautiful. Regal, dynamic, graceful and on her way to the University of Michigan this Fall... the world is Amal's untouched playground and prom was merely the commencement of her beautiful journey through the many rites of passage ahead.

Congratulations Amal Muzaffar and the Staten Island Technical High School class of 2011!

Staten Island Family Portraits | The Droumbakis Family

When I was invited to come to Todt Hill a few weeks back, I was thrilled to be making my second trip (ever!) to Staten Island. The Droumbakis' were a delight to work with and had a beautiful home in one of the most illustrious Staten Island neighborhoods. I felt very lucky to be invited into such an intimate space to shoot their yearly family portraits.


Katy and Claire, just about a year apart were home from college and full of smiles. Their parents, gleaming with pride when they told me about their daughters' ambitions, were so hospitable that I felt as though I was at an old friend's home.

Engaged! | Gulmina & Mansoor

As the first step in their engagement, Gulmina and Mansoor hosted the meeting of their respective families at Gulmina's family residence in Staten Island. Both Pakistani, they celebrated with the age old traditions of family gift giving and sitting on a swing where guests fed them sweet treats. 


This was a true honor to document as these traditions are thousands of years old and though this was just the first of many festive parties for Gulmina and Mansoor, it was so elaborate and thoughtfully designed. 


Congrtulations Gulmina and Mansoor on your engagement and the adventure which lies ahead.