So funny it makes you wanna cry :)

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Parris Whittingham Photography: Experience a Dream Preferred

This project has been a several months in the making and I'm so excited to share the NEW 2009 promo video with you all. The title of the piece is "Experience a Dream Preferred". For me, a dream preferred is about celebrating the magic of life; empowering myself and others to make ideas come true, developing my ability to internalize and express love. With this specific shoot, I am responding to the need for diversity in the domain fashion (both on and off the runway). We shot the editorial in August on location in Flushing Queens, New York. If you have ever been to Flushing, you understand why we selected this location. The neighborhood is so culturally diverse that several people in the crew asked me "what country are we in?".

I was so touched by the hospitality of all the amazing people we met on the street, and in the local shops. One man who owned a restaurant even stopped to give us all fortune cookies :) The models were a joy to work with (shout out to Tia who is on the cover of Wired magazine this month). Giovanni Ravello is one of my favorite designers in bridal couture. When I contacted his publicist Natalie about the shoot, she recommended the perfect set of vibrant gowns (Red, Yellow and Blue). Despite getting kicked out of the Botanical Garden (we didn't have a permit...but we still got some awesome shots), everything went pretty smoothly. I have always had a fascination with mythology so this was a really fun project to be a part of. Enjoy the holidays. Seasons Greetings!

CREDITS
Executive Producer: Parris Whittingham
Creative Director: Craig Bevelheimer
Illustration: Andres Rivera
Music: Sean Lewis
Bridal Couture: Giovanni Ravello
Models: Angelica Guvernez, Lauren Branche and Tia Alexander
Make-up & hair: Jair Izquierdo
Photographer's Assistants: Aidah Rasheed and Christen Rose

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Thanksgiving

Hey All,

I know this is a bit late to write about Thanksgiving but hey...I have a lot to be thankful for and sometimes its easy for me to overlook my blessings. Thanksgiving was a seasonal blend of family, food and fun. I spent Saturday feeling a little lonely once everyone had left. I guess I didn't realize how much the role of family (whether photographing families or spending time with my own) truly inspires me.

Anywho, Saturday I got an email from a girl who I went to Jr. High School with and before I knew it, I was having a mini facebook reunion with all of these people who were at home and spending time with their families. The experience was really touching. I even got to apologize to this girl I had a crush on when I was like 13. I was such a jerk to her and I have felt badly about it for over a decade. I was so energized to hear that most of these people are pursuing their true creative interests. Many of us are writers, photographers, artisans and community organizers. Looking back, I used to say I did not like middle school. Now I realize there were a few unpleasant experiences that I let tarnish everything.

Yesterday I spent the day with my Grandmother. She is such an inspiration. At 75 she was the one talking and jovial on the way back from our excursion and I was the one SLEEPING in the car. Thank goodness we had the company of her friends because I know that all of her activities help keep her going. I hope I have half of her vitality at her age.

Recently, I have been avoiding posting in this online journal. Partially because I have been really busy and also because I want to re-design it. I realize now that there are moments like this weekend that must be remembered. Therefore, I will commit to more frequent postings until I create a new online journal. Although we should all give thanks each and every day, this weekend was exactly what I needed to see how thankful I truly am.

Peace,
Parris

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Westchester Wedding Photography - Julie x Jonathan

This is a story about finding love. Tucked away in the Poncantico Hills of Westchester there is a small road. As you veer into the first gate (guided by your trusty GPS device), you may be surprised to find out that in fact…there is still more road. Keep traveling until you arrive at the gatekeeper. This vigilant sentry (Known to some as a security guard) keeps a watchful eye over a tapestry of wintergreen hills, amber fields, ruby treetops, rustic architecture and the guests who dwell on the grounds.

This is the enchanted site of Blue Hill at Stone Barns. An experience that must explored on foot…GPS simply will not do. Overhead, a flock of geese prepare for their southward journey. At eye level, a heard of sheep can be witnessed grazing in the cool open air of autumn. Before long you will arrive at a large silo that connects to what can only be described as “The Stone Barn”.

In just a few hours, history will alter itself for the course of Julia & Jonathan. But first…Jonathan must un-wedge his car from its position in traffic and Julia needs a smaller bouquet, a lint roller and just a few more minutes. There is never enough time to “get ready” on your wedding day. By the end of the evening, Julia will be a canvas of laughter as family members recount their stories of her unyielding passion for life and the whirling dervish pace at which she travels. Word spreads that Jonathan has arrived and Julia makes her way downstairs to greet him. The family is complete.

With a blessing from the Rabbi, the ceremony is held indoors against the ebony backdrop of a starlit evening. They own the night. Although this is an evening of great cheer and celebration, it is not without the bittersweet reality of sacrifice and loss. However, this is not a story about sorrow. Before long, the captivating voice of Donna Grosso and her band echo from every corner of the room. This is a story about memories, music, dancing, laughter, joy and resilience. A story that can be told for anyone at any age, but not before its time has come. This (of course) is a story about love.

Special thanks to: Alexis Williamson, Danielle Harrity, Anna Kostuk and the amazing guests of Julia & Jonathan.

Stay Tuned: For photos from their private photography session in Connecticut














Don't worry its spring water. But even if it wasn't, who says a lady can't enjoy her wedding day :)


Aren't they cute :)








Jonathan chose this location because he noticed the amazing foliage in the background.


They wrote their own wedding vows.


One of my favorite shots from the evening.


Julia's sister had marketing materials made for her speech. He theme, election season. Her speech priceless.


At one point during the speeches, you would have thought you were at celebrity roast. Good thing these two have a great sense of humor.

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A Dream Preffered: Fine Art Wedding & Fashion Photography

Hey All,

On October 3rd, I invited a small group of friends, family, educators, artists and business professionals to attend private viewing of my work. I was very excited by the challenge of curating an exhibition of my wedding & fashion imagery...together. My goal was to create the groundwork for meaningful conversations about our professional industries and creative interests. Sometimes, we get so close to our "work" we forget to "play"....or share.

Additionally, this evening was about celebrating some of the upcoming projects I will be launching in 2009. My immediate challenge was selecting the right professionals to help me launch this dynamic event in less than 1 month. For this task, I enlisted the talent of event & wedding planner Lisa Fallace. Her understanding of my ideas and her willingness to "go there" even when the ideas seemed a little too "artistic" was truly a delight. Despite me giving her a little scare on the day of the exhibition, she did a fine job of managing the flow of the event and making it look so darn easy....like magic :)

The central theme of the exhibition was A Dream Preferred. Inspired by the Langston Hughes poem, "A Dream Differed", this exhibition poses the simple question: What happens to a dream Preferred? Many artists collaborated on the full multi-sensory exhibition. I am thankful to each of them for seeing my vision and matching it with their own unique creative interests. Keep reading to learn more about some of these amazing artists and designers.

The Artists
Sean Lewis and his band performed several original pieces including the title track to a project we will be releasing in 2009. Craig Bevelheimer brilliantly executed his precise control of motion graphics in an animated segment that we collaborated on. Andres "Nook" Rivera set the stage for a series of collaborations honoring our respective crafts: illustration and photography. Couture Wedding Designer Giovanni Ravello, was on-location as we unveiled an editorial shoot featuring some of his amazing gowns. There were several other international artists whose work was featured in this exhibition, however, they were not able to attend. Special thanks to:

Kae - Industrial & Graphic Designer
Laurence - Furious Photographers
Repseven - Graphic Design & Typography
Archan - Designer and Illustrator
Sheila - Creative Director & Visual Artist
Claudia Whittingham - Jeweler & Designer
Christen Rose - Photographer (Assistant & Location Scout)
Ian Jones - Photographer
Aïdah Aliyah Rasheed - photographer (Assistant & On-location manager)

The Guests
Guests from the Harlem Children's Zone, The Harbor for Boys and Girls, Dreamyard and Purchase College made up the core of the educators who were invited to the exhibition. Each of these programs has had a tremendous impact on my personal development and growth. I am a firm believer that the arts in education saved my life. Each of these teachers, mentors and guides helped shape and discipline my focus and appreciation of my craft and me offered the building blocks for my career in the arts. I also want to thank the many mentors and friends who attended: Pierre, King King, Crystal, Brian, Femi, Yodit, Ms.Thompson, Tiffany & Ly....to name a few :)

Overall
The evening was an amazing delight. Filled with ideas, wisdom, stories, laughter and most of all....love. There and truly inspirational sense of love and support in that room. I am so honored that everyone enjoyed themselves and saw fit to spend a Friday evening with me. I strongly encourage all of my readers to learn more about the educators and programs I mentioned above. Each of these programs is doing vital work within the community to help enrich the lives of young people.

Although there is no monopoly on art appreciation, there is a scarcity of support for these programs. In truth, most of us can accept that the arts serve a vital role in the education and social development of our children. Unfortunately, arts and educational programs are among the first to be "scaled back" when budgets require adjustments (read: the CUNY budget was slashed about $60 million this year). This is not solely a matter of government. Each of us has a responsibility towards creating the change we want to see in the world. If you cannot give money, donate your time. If you are able, donate both. The next four years is truly "up in the air"...this makes for some exciting and dreadfully scary times. But enough gloom and doom, enjoy the photos below and feel free to email me any stories about recent efforts you are making in your community. I would love to keep this conversation going!

Peace,
Parris

Photography by: Ian Jones

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