I met Rebecca from my photoshoot with the Girls Auto Repair Clinic as part of my personal photography project. She liked the work that I did that she asked me to photograph her sons Bar Mitzvah. We did his formal shots at the Or Chadash-Reform Temple in Flemmington, NJ right before the ceremony with Rebecca, Elijah and his little sister. Then the party was at Erinis Restaurant in Ewing, NJ.
What a goofy bunch! LOL After having some time to go and have an early lunch, we go to Erinis to photograph the room with the decorations. Then everyone started to arrive, so I wanted to make sure that we had everyone nearby to get the family group pictures. We moved quickly because the best place to do this was outside and the sun kept coming in and out of the clouds and it was very bright. Then Elijah made his grand entrance and the celebration and dancing began with the Horah!
Elijah’s grandfather does the blessing “Hamotzi and then he and Elajhs mother, Rebecca say a toast. A fun dressing up on toilet paper activity with three teams, then once they rip the paper off, all the kids have to help clean up. Limbo Dancing Photoboothing Elijah dancing with some wonderful ladies <3
I love trying to get all of the kids in one big group photo at the end of the night before they all head home. By now they’ve all had a lot of sugar and energy in them and are either super tired or ready for more.
Thank you all for letting me be a part of your huge and special day! Mazel Tov!
http://www.deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_2896ESBarMitzvah-1.jpg900898Deirdre Ryanhttp://deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Logo.pngDeirdre Ryan2019-12-26 17:39:132019-12-26 17:39:13Elijahs' Coming of Age Bar Mitzvah
Last night, I volunteered my photography services with my local Rotary Club for the first Walk 4 Recovery(#walk4recovery). We all met at Hope Hose Humane Co. 1 Firehouse, which is literally steps from my home. The night was cold, our breaths made clouds in the air, but the common ground we all stood upon was one to last and encourage.
This walk was also to support those fighting against addictions, which is a disease, their families and friends who are helping them. To get rid of the stigma of addiction.
I saw many who have lost family members, and friends to addiction, a lot of familiar faces. One family here in Bordentown have lost a son and, very recently, lost a daughter to addiction.
Our local police blocked off the streets, making it safe for us to walk. This was all made possible by volunteers, from the t-shirts, the food, everything.Bill Mercantini, our Bordentown Rotary Club President spoke, then Mayor Lynch. Angelique Flynn spoke of her struggles with addiction, who is now 8 years sober. Father Matt Tucker offered a prayer and spoke out at least 50 names of those lost or struggling. This walk was enormous for its the first time, I think about 200 people attended.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible!
The article below is from The Burlington County Times, their reporter, Kelly Kultys and photographer Dave Hernandez, covered the event, as well as The Register-News(which is now back).
Posted Nov 14, 2018 at 9:40 PM Updated Nov 14, 2018 at 10:41 PM
The Bordentown Rotary Club and the Young Professional Rotary Club of Bordentown hosted the first Candlelight Walk as a way to help break the stigma of addiction.
BORDENTOWN CITY — “I walk for …” signs covered the backs of hundreds of people Wednesday night as they walked with candles in hand around the city.
The crowd gathered together for the first Rotary4Recovery walk, aimed at helping break the stigma of addiction and recovery.
Dawn Walton, of Mansfield, was walking for her son Boomer who passed away on Aug. 12 after he struggled with addiction.
“It’s great to see everyone come together and support this,” she said.
The walk was organized by the Young Professional Rotary Club of Bordentown, a new group formed out of the Bordentown Rotary, which began earlier this year.
Co-chairs Hillary Moore and Katrina Brophy, both of Bordentown City, said they thought it was important to get everyone together and show they supported those in recovery.
“I personally have lost someone to addiction,” Moore said.
That’s why she said it was important to get a large crowd together to “break the stigma” that those with addiction face.
Bill Mercantini, the president of the Bordentown Rotary, said the event had been a vision of his for a while and he was glad to be a part of the walk for those in recovery.
“I’m walking for Nick,” he said, referring to a family member.
For many of those in attendance, the loss from addiction weighed heavily on their minds as they walked. Michelle Trogdon, of Hamilton, Shannon Sticca, of Bordentown Township, and Chris Millington, of Bordentown Township, said between their family and friends they lost three people to overdoses within a three-week span over the summer.
Millington said it was great to see more than 200 people turn out for the walk.
“It’s so awesome and the thing is, it’s a sad thing and it’s a good thing, we know everyone here pretty much and it’s kind of sad because we’re all so connected,” she said.
For Angelique Flynn, of Burlington City, being a part of the walk allowed her to share her story to try and inspire others in recovery.
“I’m active in the community as a volunteer,” she said. “I own my business, I teach yoga. I am a homeowner and I live a truly amazing life and I’m so blessed to have it. I tell you all of this because this wasn’t always my story.”
She recalled trying to fill a void in her life and never being quite able to do so.
“My favorite thing to use was drugs,” she said.
Eventually, she was able to get into a 12-step program and now has been sober for eight years, but she still sees how addiction is affecting her community.
“The longer I stay clean, the more people I’ve lost,” she said.
Bordentown City Mayor Jim Lynch said the best way to try and tackle the problem is to come together for events like the walk to show that the community members support each other.
“You have no better cooperation than we have right now between the two municipalities (Bordentown City and Bordentown Township),” he said.
Lynch highlighted the work of resident Kevin Moore, who has been active with Bordentown Residents Against Drugs, and currently serves as the Bordentown Township/City Municipal Alliance Coordinator, for his work to bring resources and awareness to those struggling.
Before the walk, a list of more than 50 names of people both living and deceased who had battled or were battling addiction was read so that those walking would have them on their minds.
Here are some of the images that I took the other night:
Hilary Moore asking for a moment of silence before heading out.
Once again, thank you all for participating and volunteering. This event I think will be even bigger next year.
Yours In Rotary,
Deirdre
http://www.deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_4913Rotary4RecoveryWalkbyDeirdreRyanPhotography.jpg601900Deirdre Ryanhttp://deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Logo.pngDeirdre Ryan2018-11-15 17:00:282019-10-17 17:55:37Bordentown Rotary Club Young Professionals-Walk 4 Recovery-Love The Addict, Hate The Disease-Covered by Photojournalist Deirdre Ryan
If you didn’t see my post on Day two click here to see it.
Day 3 was on a Sunday and I got there later than I wanted to. This time, I brought my husband and our daughter, it was her very first time at a horse show. It was super hot and it did rain a little. But we sat in the covered seating area and we had a packed lunch. My friend showed earlier in the jumping and dressage, and I wished that we could’ve seen her. Oh well, there will be plenty of other times. But still I wanted our daughter to see these events. This is a breed show to show the many ways this horse can perform.
Brielle hurt her back jumping with Baby, but had one last class on Kora in a flat class. She did really well and placed 2nd. All in all, she placed with two seconds and two fourths for the weekend, not bad considering that Kora is a horse that has only been under a saddle for just two months! And I got the word that Kora has been adopted!
They had a HUGE flat class of 25 riders, that benefited the Race for To Cure MS, and one of the riders that was sweeping the entire weekend has MS. She’s wearing the long sleeved blue shirt, riding Xrossing The Delaware. I wanted to meet her badly!
I love Fruit Punch Gatorade on ice and I made a mixed green salad with feta cheese, tomatoes, chick peas, plain macaroni noodles, drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice and Penzeys Ozark seasonings. We also had fresh cherries for dessert. And yes, our daughter loves this salad too.
I like this one, an English and Western rider….
Because of the heat and rain, the judge was in the area where we were seated.
The red ribbon means to stay away because that horse could kick. Kora is not experienced in a show ring, and the day before, other riders were getting too close to her. I’ve ridden an Arabian named Annie who had to wear one, she would literally stop, back up to kick another horse in a show ring or during training. Did anyone pay attention to that ribbon? Nope! Did Annie do her thing without warning? Yup!
A very exhausted but happy Brielle!
Because Brielle was hurting, I helped with cleaning out the stalls, holding on to Baby while her other helper cleaned the other stall, and made sure that she was ok. She went one to place at Gladstone the very next day!
If you’re all wondering if I’m going to show soon, yes I am! Stay tuned!
http://www.deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/IMG_4515StandardbredNationalHorseShowbyDeirdreRyanPhotography.jpg601900Deirdre Ryanhttp://deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Logo.pngDeirdre Ryan2018-08-16 15:06:482019-10-17 17:46:34Day 3-The Standardbred National Horse Show at The Horse Park of NJ
If you’ve been following me online, it’s not a secret that riding horses is a love for me that goes back to when I was a little girl. I didn’t ask for a pony, I wanted a Trakenher. It’s still one of my favorite breeds. I jumped horses in shows, and now I’m back into training since August 1991.
This weekend, my friend, Brielle, who works there, is showing two horses at the Standardbred National Horse Show here at the Horse Park Of NJ. The park is only about roughly 20 minutes from where I live. I haven’t been here since 1991, so yeah a lot has changed! LOL
She’s been there since Friday, today is the last day and I’m going to head over there soon. Photographing horses in motion like this is “fairly new” for me,I used to photograph team sports for a newspaper. They came out pretty good, I really had a lot of fun, in spite of the intense humidity and oncoming thunderstorm. Brielle rode Kora in just one class. Her own horse, Shake Baby Shake, is showing today with Kora.
That’s Lillian taking pictures from the stands. I joined her there to take the other images.
After a practice run in the ring, they had opening ceremonies:
This class is for Standardbreds that are currently up for adoption.
Below is Brielle’s horse, Shake Baby Shake: After this image, I stayed on to watch some more classes, that were mainly Western, with Lillian. It was fun to relax, chat and of course be around horses 🙂
http://www.deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/IMG_4003StandardbredNationsbyDeirdre-Ryan-Photography-www.deirdreryanphotography.com_.jpg601900Deirdre Ryanhttp://deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Logo.pngDeirdre Ryan2018-08-12 16:05:242019-10-17 17:46:26Day 2-The Standardbred National Horse Show at The Horse Park Of NJ
All of the guests showed up with lots of memories, spirit and enthusiasm. They honored their military Veterans, remembering classmates who have deceased, held a raffle, and of course lots of dancing to the Meg Hanson Group with Billy Hill. The venue looked amazing, as well.
All of the decorating and planning were done by The NDHS Class of 1968 Reunion Committee. One of the classmates who wasn’t able to be there, donated two bottles of wine per table, the tables also had these beautiful blue wine bottles that had LED lights inside, the table of memories had items such as photos, class pins, rings, the coveted baby blue blazer worn by only the senior class girls, and yearbooks. Everyone there had a really good time, getting everyone to look my way during the large class picture was let’s say “a challenge”, and the staff at The Stone Terrace were a huge help in getting what I needed(a tall ladder for the group photos).
I brought one of my battery powered strobes and paired it with a 48″ octa soft modifier, the staff brought me a tall ladder so that I could get everyone in and the light gave me that nice burst that I needed.
A prayer was said before the dinner started.
Some classmates from the Class of 1967 “crashed” the party LOL
If you saw my other post for the Class of 1967, NDHS is also where I went, as well as my mother, and uncle. This night, Meg Hanson, the singer, told others there that one of the nuns that taught at our school was her aunt, and the drummer also went to Notre Dame. Small world!
I was glad to have been there for all the excitement and happy to share some of that with you here. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
http://www.deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/IMG_1472NDHSClass68.jpg665995Deirdre Ryanhttp://deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Logo.pngDeirdre Ryan2018-07-23 17:22:592019-10-17 17:28:47Event Photography | The Stone Terrace + Hamilton, NJ | Notre Dame High School Class of 1968 50th Reunion
Francine and Dolores hosted a lunch time professional coaching event to help women focus on their branding, and building professional networks during face to face time with a group of coaches to help them get on track with their careers. It wasn’t an entire day, but more like a taste of what everyone is capable of doing.
Let me first say, this was my very first time that I actually DROVE into the city, like my own car. I’ve driven in Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, I mean, I LOVE TO DRIVE. So on this day, I met up with Dolores and she and I had quite a lot to bring in, and no way was it going to fit in her car. Mine on the other hand is a Subaru Outback Wagon Limited Edition, fully loaded. So we folded down the rear seats, got the cawfee and music going and we were off. I have to say, I’m really thankful that she was there, because she knew where to go. Apparently I drive like a taxi driver 😉 LOL
From the EventBrite link: “On February 22nd, please join me and my co-collaborator Dolores DeGiacomo and a curated group of expert career coaches for the “Sharpen Your Skills Over Lunch”micro-coaching experience where we focus on helping you with “the how” – how to manage your professional brand for success. Along with providing you with guidance on your brand, you will learn how you get others engaged, which starts with your professional network. Success is never achieved alone.
So, here’s what you’ll experience. Over the lunchtime, you will be paired with expert career coaches that have specific expertise in branding and building professional networks. They will provide you coaching and direct real-time feedback that you can apply the same day. Not only will you work with your expert coaches, but have the opportunity to network and have an amazing lunch prepared by a chef while hearing information and insights from myself and others to further ensure you leave with even more information and knowledge.”
The below descriptions of the amazing professional coaches are from Francine:
Nikkie Pryce: “Meet Nikkie Pryce, an inspiration to us, having earned the title, “self-love influencer” through her organization, The I AM Community. Nikkie will be joining the “Sharpen Your Skills Micro-Coaching” Team as an expert coach where she will be helping not only to inspire and motivate you, but help you put action to your dreams. Being in the media industry and working directly with the public, Nikkie has experience pushing people past their own created limitations and shares this in her recently released book, “Dreamer, Take Action!”. Nikkie speaks publicly at corporate conferences, empowerment events, women’s retreats, youth girl groups, schools, and church functions.Learn more about Nikkie at www.NikkiePryce.com; IG:@IAmNikkiePryce; Twitter: @IAmNikkiePryce.”
Anne Wargo: “Please meet Anne Wargo. Anne, will be joining me along with other experienced coaches for the “Sharpen Your Skills Over Lunch Micro-Coaching Experience” on Feb. 22nd, to share her wealth of experience. Anne has over 20 years of experience in organization strategy and culture change. She also focuses on helping individuals be the best they can so that they and their organizations can succeed in reaching their goals. Through her coaching practice, she helps professionals in managing and integrating the demands of their work and life, finding confidence to stand up for what they need to succeed in their roles, defining and honing their personal brand and more. Learn more about Anne’s work at annewargoconsulting.com “
Jamie Lee :”Please meet Jamie Lee, born in South Korea where she shares that negotiating was considered a way of daily life. It’s no wonder she has taken that amazing skill and translated that into helping ambitious women negotiate and lead with authentic power. Jamie is another professional coach joining me on February 22nd in NYC at “Sharpen Your Skills Over Lunch Micro-Coaching.” Jamie is a negotiation expert and consultant with She Negotiates. As a negotiation trainer, she has led workshops for Jefferies Bank, Chase, Penguin Random House, American College of Cardiologists, Baystate Health, Essence Digital, Girls Scouts Leadership Institute and more. I am so excited that Jamie will be joining us on Feb. 22nd! Learn more about Jamie’s work at jamie@shenegotiates.com.”
Matylda Czarnecka :”Meet Matylda Czarnecka, another amazing professional coach joining the “Sharpen Your Skills Over Lunch: A Micro-Coaching Experience on Feb. 22nd. Matylda is a leadership coach.She supports ambitious, driven and successful trailblazers helping them gain clarity on what’s next and how to get there faster. Her coaching, informed by neuroscience and positive psychology, draws on research on how the brain can change and what it takes to create new habits and states of being. Her clients include professionals and entrepreneurs who are ready to become better leaders and create a powerful legacy. Learn more about Matylda at www.matylda.me“
Stacey Cohen : “Meet Stacey Cohen. Stacey is a sought-after speaker, author and panelist in the realm of public relations, marketing, and personal branding. She will be one of the outstanding coaches at “Sharpen Your Skills Over Lunch: A Micro-Coaching Experience” on Feb. 22nd in NYC. She is the founder of Co-Communications, Inc., an award-winning full-service public relations and marketing firm. Stacey brings a wealth of knowledge and has worked with businesses and individuals across a range of industries. Learn more about Stacey and her work at www.cocommunications.com“
Jasmine Briggs :”Meet Jasmine Briggs. She is one of the impressive professional coaches joining me at “Sharpen Your Skills Over Lunch: A Micro-Coaching Experience” on Feb. 22 in NYC. I am excited that Jasmine brings a wealth of experience in helping clients with career exploration, setting career goals, employment search techniques, and resume writing. She’s up to date on the job market and understands what it means to have an effective personal brand and how to have those top-notch interview skills ready to obtain the job or position you want. Jasmine has also guided and supported individuals in transitioning into new careers. Learn more about her work at www.jasminebriggs.com“
Shamita Alwani : “Meet Shamita Alwani, one of the outstanding and professional coaches that will be joining me on February 22 in NYC for “Sharpen Your Skills Over Lunch: A Micro-Coaching Experience” focused on coaching women about their professional brand and how to effectively engage their network. Shamita helps companies, teams and individuals rebuild trust and nurture change. She also teaches employees how to navigate their work environments, focus on priorities and how to pilot their own careers and development along with having a professional network that works for their success. Learn more about Shamita https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamita-alwani-kumar-9197ab4/“
Kerry Cordero :”Meet Kerry Cordero, image coach and personal stylist also joining me at “Sharpen Your Skills Over Lunch: A Micro-Coaching Experience on February 22nd in NYC. I am so very glad that Kerry will be sharing her expertise with everyone in the room including me (we all need a refresher or “visual brand check-up” from time to time). Kerry also owns and runs her own business, The First look Image. She knows about the importance of not only having the right “look”, but the importance of ensuing that it aligns with your brand and gives helps you achieve the right presence for success. Learn more about Kerry at www.thefirstlookimage.com“
Niya Allen-Vaytell: “Meet Niya Allen-Vaytell. She is a brand builder, resume storyteller and to many known as a “resume ninja.” She is one of the amazing professional coaches joining me on February 22 in NYC for “Sharpen Your Skills Over Lunch: A Micro-Coaching Experience” focused coaching women about their professional brand and how to effectively engage their network. We both look forward to seeing you there. Learn more about Niya and her company at www.careerglobal.co“
I love Francine’s Mission Statement:
I focus on the advancement of women. As I like to say, “I activate women for success.”
I do this through my public speaking, writing, curated and micro-networking events as well as specialized skill-building workshops. My focus is not only in personally investing in women but partnering with individuals and organizations that support advancing women to be leaders and influencers in their chosen fields.
As a black woman, I particularly understand and share the experience of many women regardless of race, ethnicity or nationality, having to work twice as hard to accomplish the same success as their male counterparts. I have witnessed and experienced the void of women in positions of leadership and authority in my own career journey.
I am a firm believer in sharing my wealth of knowledge and capital with those around me in turn helping them to excel in their chosen career paths. Thus, a portion of the funds from my events are always provided to philanthropic organizations focused on advancing women.
I believe that it takes many resources and support to move the agenda of advancing women to be influencers and leaders in their respective fields. No one achieves anything alone. I also see it as my responsibility to lend my expertise and experience; financial support; and professional network, as a career woman myself, to help drive this agenda.
Please join me at one of my micro-networking events, specialized skill-building workshops or grab a copy of my book, “The Ultimate Career Pocket Guide” to learn about the unwritten and unspoken skills that no one shares with you, but are essential for your career success.
This shows you the love that happens and how much everyone gets inspired by these events.
After the group photos, I did some super quick business portraits of Francine right before we had to leave the venue. I mean I set up the lights in 2 minutes, and started to shoot in 1 minute. These were her favorites, and to be honest, mine as well 🙂
►► Entrepreneurs, organizations, and individual professionals; together we develop the behavior strategies and execution plans necessary for success.
►► Authors and Coaches whose work changes lives, but who want to get out of the ‘trading time for money trap’ and want to find a way to leverage their time and reach in more effective and profitable ways.
:: WHAT I DO
Facilitate change and motivate development using the Power Up! method; designed to focus on the thought patterns and behaviors needed to succeed and accelerates the process in all professional endeavors.
I coach individuals to create world-class, high-end, high-value Signature program that embody your expertise and creates multiple streams of income for you and your business, from entry level signature products all the way to your high ticket coaching packages.
:: HOW I DO IT
Partnering with individual professionals and organizations we work to develop leadership skills and success behaviors that align with professional and organizational goals.
Working with you to design, organize and create your Signature programs. Through a deep dive process we will work together, one on one, to map out your program: taking your big idea, and breaking it down into a step by step system, high value content program that people will want to buy.
:: YOUR NEXT STEP
To find out more and have an introductory conversation…
📅 schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/email-7/powerup
Below is their book, The Ultimate Career Pocket Guide, I photographed them both for the back cover. To see more on this click on this link.
For this event, I shot using 2 cameras, the Canon Mark 5D III and the Canon 6D with a 70-200mm f2.8L and 16-35mm f2.8L lenses. For the lighting, I brought 4 flashes, they were the Canon 600EX RTs and the Yongous 600EX RTs. The wireless Yongnuo trigger can fire off the Canon flashes, the the Canon can fire off the others. The place looked like it had great natural light, BUT it was raining and overcast all day, so having all of those flashes were actually needed. I set them up on stands throughout the room and manually adjusted them from the trigger on my cameras.
I also brought 2 satin umbrellas and 1 Photek Softlighter. After this event was over, I had a headshot session to do for a client of Dolores. More on that later 🙂
After everything was over, Dolores and I had a nice meal at an Irish Pub on the same block, my husband was able to meet us, since he works in SoHo and then he drove all of us home.
Thanks once again for everyone’s support.
Here are other events I’ve photographed for Dolores and Francine:
Are you ready to start your branding photography to go with your career, business or for your company? Let’s chat using the red chat window on the bottom right of the screen.
http://www.deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6664Francine-Parham-Sharpen-Your-Skills-Over-Lunch-Micro-Coaching.jpg593900Deirdre Ryanhttp://deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Logo.pngDeirdre Ryan2018-03-24 02:07:232019-10-17 17:35:36Sharpen Your Skills To Work For Your Career Event
I originally had this event on my older site that was for weddings, family and newborn portraits. However now that I’ve been back to commercial photography for some time, I didn’t put it back up as events are not my main focus.
However this is one of my many favorites.
Colleen approached me online about her mother, Dell’s, upcoming surprise 80th birthday and it was to be at the Mercer Oaks Country Club. She and I went to Notre Dame High School, Class of 1991, and hired me to photograph this beautiful event for them. It was such a lovely time filled with Irish music, dancing, food, laughter and memories.
The reason for this is that I just heard that Colleen’s father has passed away this week. You see him in these photos, dancing with her and her mother. Dell and John were married for many years and loved each other so very much. Back in Ireland, he was known as Jackie.
This is a post about the celebration of life, so I don’t want to talk about how he passed, my job is to document that and more. If you would like, you can read his obituary at the end of this post by scrolling down. Please enjoy these images from her big day with their family and friends. Thank you to everyone for giving me the opportunity to know you all and preserve this day.
Working with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center is fantastic. The people that I work with directly and the staff are so nice, helpful and just overall fabulous. This is my third time covering an event for them.
Each time I hear the most amazing speeches that are inspirational, and make you want to get up and do something. Then there’s the inspirational singing from Rev. Stefanie Minatee’s Jubilation Choir . As one who also sings with my church, and loves it, I could listen to them all day. If I knew the words, I would’ve sang too(not really but you know what I mean LOL). They also have this amazing jazz group, NJPAC’s Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens that perform while everyone is getting settled, eating, being social before the ceremony begins.
The honorees on this night were: Deborah Smith-Gregory, President, Newark NAACP, received the Steward of the Dream Award.
Reverend Ronald Slaughter, the Senior Pastor, Saint. James AME Church received the Visionary of the Future Award.
Philip S. Thomas, the Founder of NJPAC Arts Education, was the Elders Council Inductee.
After the reception, everyone went into the Prudential Hall where it was a packed house, as singers, Mary Mary and Tasha Cobbs performed onstage to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King.
I am very honored to be a part of these events, I meet great people and I am in awe of the company that attends. Thank you for letting me cover this again.
Ms. Donna Walker-Kuhne, Vice President, Community Engagement, New Jersey Performing Arts Center PSE&G Vice President – State Governmental Affairs, Rick Thigpen.
President and CEO of NJPAC, John Schreiber.
The Mayor Of Newark, Ras Baraka spoke. Here’s Mr. Schreiber and Ms. Walker-Kuhne, along with Carmen Samuel, Associate Producer, Community Engagement at NJPAC, presenting Philip S. Thomas, the Founder of NJPAC Arts Education, as an Elders Council Inductee.
Rev. Stefanie Minatee’s Jubilation Choir 1rst Vice President of the Newark, NJ NAACP Chapter, Kathleen Turpin Merrit. Here’s Mrs. Slaughter and Ms. Walker-Kuhne presenting Reverend Ronald Slaughter, the Senior Pastor, Saint. James AME Church received the Visionary of the Future Award. Barbara Abdur-Razzaq speaks and introduces her friend, Honoree, Deborah Smith-Gregory. Deborah Smith-Gregory, President, Newark NAACP, receives the Steward of the Dream Award, presented to her by Donna Walker-Kuhne.
Deborah Smith-Gregory gives Reverend Reverend Ronald Slaughter and Philip S. Thomas with candles to maintain the light and unity.
http://www.deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1888IMG_5707MLKAwardsCeremonyPhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotography.jpg601900Deirdre Ryanhttp://deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Logo.pngDeirdre Ryan2018-01-16 19:31:322019-10-17 17:36:44NJPAC Event Dr. Martin Luther Jr. - Fighting for the Dream Awards Ceremony
I had an amazing opportunity to photograph my friend and client, Francine. She’s launching her company’s brand to develop unique networking experiences for professional women and it happened at Jimmy Choos location in SoHo, NYC. Francine and my other friend Dolores, are business partners and I love them both. So to see this happening for Francine made me really happy for her. We’ve worked quite a few times, below are two samples:
Francine is working with The Create(HER) Life and their team. Together they’ve put together a beautiful brand for her and it’s stunning.To see a sample of what they did please click here. The video below is a recap of the evening’s event and it’s produced by Cynematic Productions.
The event was a way to get together, network, speak to Francine, and of course, buy gorgeous shoes! A portion of the sales was also for the The Friends of Education of The Museum of Modern Art. The lighting inside was mixed, so I used a wireless Canon 600RT EX flash and the videographers had their own LED panel. But for the most part, I used the other flash on my camera. I mixed and mingled with my camera, the goal was to get make it as easy as possible for my client to get the images they wanted.
Everyone at Jimmy Choo was very helpful, warm and inviting. Thank you Francine, Dolores, David and Antoinette for supporting me. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
http://www.deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_3840FrancineParhamJimmyChoo_byDeirdreRyanPhotography.jpg601900Deirdre Ryanhttp://deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Logo.pngDeirdre Ryan2017-11-22 18:55:052019-10-17 17:41:27Jimmy Choos And Walking Your Way To Success Event
This is a post that needed to be written a long time ago. It’s still difficult because Pat was a friend of ours, a really good childhood friend of my husband’s, best friend of his sister’s and the best friend of my friends here in town. It’s weird, Shannon and I grew up together, then we moved back to Bordentown. My husband and Pat reconnect via Facebook and find out that Shannon’s husband, John, is Pat’s best friend! It was perfect since we all share the same sense of humor, political views, and John and my husband both work in tv.
We found out about Pat’s passing as we were literally driving down to Ocean City, NJ last summer of 2016. I mean I was reading Pat’s posts on FB I think an hour or so before? Next thing I knew, I get a message on FB that he died while my husband was driving. It was horrible and we couldn’t do anything until we reached our destination. I mean at first we thought it was a prank, but no our Ring Master was gone at the young age of 48.
Pat was happily married to his wife Terry and have two amazing boys together. Their wedding was at Madison Square Garden with Pat in full clown makeup from when he was in Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. To read a great tribute to Pat go here: http://www.clownlink.com/2016/07/rip-pat-cashin/ There are links to his wedding and more.
A group of his friend want to do something, so a celebratory comedy show was out together to benefit the family, friends and community. http://www.clownlink.com/2017/04/laughs-left-behind/ I quote the article: “The Laughter Arts Foundation (headed up by Michael Rosman) is putting on the event to remember Pat and to raise money for the family and for the clown community.
The evening will be headlined by Tony Award and MacArthur fellowship winner Bill Irwin. Other performers include: ▪ Archie Cobblepot ▪ Barry Lubin ▪ Circus Stella ▪ Dick Monday & Tiffany Riley ▪ Drew Richardson ▪ Eepybird (Maine) ▪ Greg DeSanto ▪ Hilary Chaplin ▪ Jeff Gordon ▪ Kevin Carr ▪ Mark Gindick ▪ Michael Rosman and others!
It was held at the Seashore Day Camp and School on April 8, 2017 at 7 pm. Pat was, let’s say an avid collector, of all things that had to do with the circus. So there was a silent auction of his collection, people who volunteered to get a shaving cream “pie” in the face, and more.
We brought our daughter to this fabulous event and had an amazing time! I used my Canon 5D Mark III and I let my daughter use my Olympus mirrorless camera outside. The lighting was what it was and while they had an official photographer who used his own lighting, I of course stated out of the way and captured the event from where I was sitting among friends in the front. There is video, but I think it’s still being edited, I’m not sure. But I can’t wait to see it, and I’m not the only one! LOL
Being among so much talent that night and seeing our caught taking it in was amazing. Meeting people and friends that we know via Facebook was great too. And hearing the stories, I mean there should be a book.
I quote the FB Page https://www.facebook.com/LFTLB/ for the event: I need to thank a lot of people…I’ll divide them into the audience people, the committee people, the performer people, and the donor people,. In many cases, people were part of more than one group. I thank the audience and especially the VIP ticket people for buying the tickets and expending the costs and effort to attend. We actually had people who flew in just to see the show. Thank you all. I want to thank the committee people for sharing the vision and saying ‘yes’ to everything I asked. Committee people included Joey K, Phil, Brenn, Archie, Cybele, Doug, Kevin, Shane Hansen, and Greg Here is a partial list of some people I’d like to call out for specific help. It includes committee people, performers, and other overall helpful people: Joey Klein for doing so so so much of the detail work, including handling and posting our social media content, and donating the shaving cream Damian Blake for the logo, Phil DePalo for the background support, the ticket website, handling the finances, and riding shotgun. Cybele for driving VIPs Gary Schwartz for playing piano Members of the Williams family and Cashin family for many many tasks including airport runs, helping with diet coke setup, babysitting, concessions, clean up, etc . Doug Young for pipe and drape Anthony Parziale for the video screen and the poster work John Frangio for sound Steve Sarafian Photos and Sharon (Stranger Cinematics) video Greg DeSanto for handling the sale of the collection pieces. Brenn for waiting patiently till I needed her, then stepping up perfectly, Joseph Salamone (and other Shrine Clowns) Archie and his wife for poster layout work, Dexter for picking up 250 whoopie cushions, Spencer Dystra and Owen Sahnow – stage hands/tech Elmo for being especially handy and helpful , Shane Hansen and Andrew Scharf , Joe Holiday for lending me a valuable prop that didn’t make it into the show Thank you performers, Kevin Carr , Hilary Chaplin , Greg DeSanto, Archie Cobblepot , Mark Gindick, Jeff Gordon, Fritz Grobe, Bill Irwin, Barry Lubin, Joey Klein , Dan McCallen, Dick Monday, Harley Newman, Tiffany Riley , Drew Richardson, Ethan Rosman , Sophia Rosman , Steve Voltz Doug Young.
The numerous people who donated but didn’t attend ( including these few who donated last minute; Greg May, Center Ring Circus School, Ted Baumhauer- Flower City Vaudeville, Ted Lawrence- Slapstick Science, The Bindlestiff, Family Cirkus, and Keith Nelson and Stephanie Monseu personally, Linda DePalo (for buying 140 2 liter bottles of Diet Coke) Randy Cabral and many more.
Many many people donated to the family shortly after Pat died through the GoFundMe site https://www.gofundme.com/patrickcashin before they knew about this show. We thank them for their support.
Of course we are indebted to John and Sharon Villapiano owners of Seashore Camp and Day School http://seashorecampandschool.com/ for giving us their space to use, and for bringing in risers and hundreds of chairs, and a mop and bucket.
I’m sure that there are many others I am neglecting to list here, including people who did helpful things that I don’t even know about. May you all know that I appreciate your contributions. Thank you again Joey , Phil, Sophia, and thank you Terry, Shane, and Jamie”
Warning! There are a LOT of images in this post. I meant a TON! However if you’re a fan of magic and the circus, then this post is perfect because people traveled far and wide to be a part of this event. This is a place for fans, family and friends to see what transpired and the amount of people and amazing talent who came together for Pat and his family. They did have it recorded, and I know that I’m not the only one who can’t wait to see it. I would also love to see the photos from the other photographer, I’m sure that they were amazing!
Now…On With The Show!
The entertainment started outside with EepyBird.com Stephen and Fritz. They are best known for a viral videos on youtube that involves Mentos and Diet Coke.
Our daughter took the above and 2 bottom photos with my Olympus. That’s my camera’s flash in the image.
EepyBird.com with one of Pat’s brothers. My husband took a cellphone video of their performance. I’ve never smelled that much Diet Coke in one place at one, and yes..it was an amazing experience!
Terry and the boys with the guys of Eepybird.com and that’s John in the background helping to clean up.
My husband took my Olympus for a bit.
Terry, myself and I think that’s one of Pat’s brothers.
Like I mentioned, I was taking pictures many as a guest and as a family friend. I didn’t want to use my flash if at all possible. But later on, the lights were dimmed and I had to. I think these are in order to the performance, but if they’re not, I apologize in advance. Enjoy, and please, share your thought in the comments section below.
Apparently our friend John had just the right kind of noggin he was looking for! LOL
We all loved this, his two daughters sitting behind me were cracking up saying look at daddy! I know that my husband was laughing and so was Pat somewhere, laughing his ass off at John.
A celebratory comedy show to benefit the family, friends and community Left Behind by the unexpected July passing of Patrick Cashin.
A celebratory comedy show to benefit the family, friends and community Left Behind by the unexpected July passing of Patrick Cashin.
A celebratory comedy show to benefit the family, friends and community Left Behind by the unexpected July passing of Patrick Cashin.
Bill Erwin, here, Bill was talking about other clowns taking your ideas and you’re like…..
.
Bill Erwin is known for being Mr. Noodle and in a music video Don’t Worry, Be Happy. But his career is so much more than this and it was amazing to meet and chat with him. This act was great! Bill and I 🙂 Our daughter was trying something and it didn’t quite work out so my husband got in his trunk of “Old Stuff”. I love this images of the four of us, thanks Bill! This is Barry Lubin, “Grandma”, and I remember seeing him perform as a child at Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
This is our friend Harley Newman, he’s know for quite a few sideshow acts and awesome stuff!
Thank you to everyone who let me take their pictures that evening. If I made a mistake on a name or website, please let me know. If anyone is interested in an image, just contact me.
http://www.deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/LaughsForTheLeftBehind-378.jpg601900Deirdre Ryanhttp://deirdreryanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Logo.pngDeirdre Ryan2017-09-30 00:18:362019-10-17 17:47:22Laughs For The Left Behind, a Benefit for Our Friend, Pat -NJ Photographer
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What a goofy bunch! LOL
After having some time to go and have an early lunch, we go to Erinis to photograph the room with the decorations. Then everyone started to arrive, so I wanted to make sure that we had everyone nearby to get the family group pictures. We moved quickly because the best place to do this was outside and the sun kept coming in and out of the clouds and it was very bright.
Then Elijah made his grand entrance and the celebration and dancing began with the Horah!
A fun dressing up on toilet paper activity with three teams, then once they rip the paper off, all the kids have to help clean up.
Limbo
Dancing
Photoboothing
Elijah dancing with some wonderful ladies <3
Below is Brielle’s horse, 
After this image, I stayed on to watch some more classes, that were mainly Western, with Lillian. It was fun to relax, chat and of course be around horses 🙂
A prayer was said before the dinner started.
This shows you the love that happens and how much everyone gets inspired by these events.
PSE&G Vice President – State Governmental Affairs, Rick Thigpen.
Here’s Mr. Schreiber and Ms. Walker-Kuhne, along with Carmen Samuel, Associate Producer, Community Engagement at NJPAC, presenting Philip S. Thomas, the Founder of NJPAC Arts Education, as an Elders Council Inductee.
1rst Vice President of the Newark, NJ NAACP Chapter, Kathleen Turpin Merrit.
Here’s Mrs. Slaughter and Ms. Walker-Kuhne presenting Reverend Ronald Slaughter, the Senior Pastor, Saint. James AME Church received the Visionary of the Future Award.
Barbara Abdur-Razzaq speaks and introduces her friend, Honoree, Deborah Smith-Gregory.
Deborah Smith-Gregory, President, Newark NAACP, receives the Steward of the Dream Award, presented to her by Donna Walker-Kuhne.
Terry and the boys with the guys of Eepybird.com and that’s John in the background helping to clean up.
Bill and I 🙂
Our daughter was trying something and it didn’t quite work out so my husband got in his trunk of “Old Stuff”.
This is
