From In Front of the Camera to Behind the Lens
Kim Anderson
After an incredibly successful career as an internationally acclaimed model, Kim decided that she wanted to try her hand at what it's like behind the camera. Here is her story, in her words:
My first job as a photographer was when I was about fourteen or fifteen. My youngest sister was in a pre-school at our local church and I offered to photograph the children for their yearly school pictures. My father had a large format Mamaya 645 camera and instead of shooting them all sitting in a pose I followed them around the playground shooting them in groups going down the slide, hanging from the monkey bars, hiding in the bushes.
We had installed a black and white darkroom in the basement of our home in Virginia. It was a place to be feared and loved in that it was always too hot or too cold and the resident spiders did not like to be disturbed but it was the place where I learned to bring my first images to life.
Moving on from my seeming success as a portrait photographer I went in the opposite direction and worked with my father as an aerial photographer. We would fly over buildings and businesses and photograph them. I would then take the prints and sell them to the various business owners and clients. You could say that this experience “broadened” my vision dramatically. From large scale to small I have never felt particularly constrained in what I can photograph.
I then went on to become an architect major at Virginia Tech. While most of my design friends were concerned with the “bigger picture,” like the structure of a building, I seemed to be forever focused on the details. I would sketch a barn door latch or take pictures of the view out of a window. I enjoyed the process of taking a three dimensional object or scene and making it two dimensional. This obsession with detail led me to a degree in textile design and my first job as an assistant swimwear designer is what brought me to live and work in New York.
That was over twenty five years ago and despite an early twist of fate, where I ultimately spent most of that time working on the other side of the lens as an actress and model, my love of capturing and creating images has persisted. It has been my joy and pleasure to have worked with many top photographers on sets around the world and I spent much of that time observing their work in progress and continuing to hone my own skills as a photographer.
With the advent of the digital camera and all of the ever changing software that comes along with it comes a new sense of freedom. Gone are the days of “dodging and burning” images by hand or the acrid smell of fixer clinging to my hair. Now, after capturing an image the steps to creating a print are available at my fingertips, almost instantaneously.
As a person used to developing my own film and paying dearly for every scrap of photographic paper it feels like cheating. Yet, the process is still the same. The key of course is to start with a compelling image. It is one thing to fix a bad picture in “photoshop” it is another to take a beautiful photograph and turn it into something “else.”
“The Art of Heightened Reality” is a series of landscapes, portraits and still-life’s aimed at expressing that “something else.” I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoy sharing them with you.
"The Art of Heightened Reality"
SHOW STARTS JULY 22 AT 5PM:
The Sundance Cafe
105 Broad Street
Stamford, Connecticut
(203) 252-2333
A Woman's Best Friend
Zak and Mikel
Mikel Sacher, a vivacious entrepreneur, has combined the luxurious beauty world with dog hygiene. Her passion shines through as she pioneers her way through a fresh concept of pampering your pooch..."FUR" products , including an all natural cleanser and detangler made with botanical extracts and anti-oxidants - it's like a spa for your dog!
Their bottles are as clean and natural-looking as the ingredients inside - everything is made from flowers, trees and herbs.
"Before developing FUR™, J Mikel spent years in the beauty industry, working with brands and companies as diverse and respected as Estee Lauder’s Aveda brand, Slatkin and Co, L’Atelier duSavon, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. J Mikel has extensive experience in the fields of aromatherapy and perfumery, developed over years of relationships with top apothecaries and retail giants."
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BUY PRODUCTS VISIT: www.furdogsnyc.com
Mikel just turned 40, and excitedly told me about her company that is taking off quickly...well Mikel, welcome to the fold and thank-you for looking out after our precious pooches!
When Upside Down, Turn It Around!
Here is Claudia Copquin's story...in a world where she did not know where to turn, she used her background as experience and moved forward with a passion, not only using what she knew but helping people along the way:
Claudia Copquin
For ten years, Claudia wrote features for a number of regional magazinesall published under the same umbrella, Island publications. Among those were anupscale lifestyle publication and a parenting publication. In addition, duringall those years she served as managing editor of Newdsay's Long Island Weddings,a glossy magazine catering to the nation's second largest bridal market (next toNew York).
Congratulations Claudia, we wish you continued success!
Starting a Business After 40 and Succeeding
Tracy Davis, a talented, beautiful and very successful entrepreneur said that she started out as a little girl wanting to be a nun or a model!
How's that for reinventing yourself? I suppose as children many of us strayed from our original visions of ourselves, but most of the time that was probably best.
Here is Tracy's story:
Raised and educated in the Midwest, Tracy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Bowling Green State University. Her designs have been influenced by her travels through Europe, South America, and the interior U.S. These experiences have and continue to enhance her unique vision and approach to design as she continues to focus on the details of cultural and spatial living.
Settling in Maine, Tracy founded her design firm Urban Dwellings in 2005. She now focuses her skill and expertise on reinventing space with 21st century flair; designing interiors that are uniquely proportioned, individually stylized, and dedicated to celebrating all aspects of lifestyles.
"My inspiration has always been through unique travel experiences and the many people that have influence my education both formally and informally. The actual conception of Urban Dwellings was born upon a trip to Quebec city. How livable and comfortable the city and its people were. The intimacy that is harbored and nurtured within small scale dwellings both public and private, inspired me. It was during a time when the baby boomers were downsizing, society was starting to shun the sheet rock McMansion, and less was really more. Shortly thereafter in the light of war time, and economic down turn since the depression, Urban Dwellings continued to work within mantra to reach goals both personal and financial."
Former Gold Medalist Figure Skater Finds a Way to Revolutionize Fitness
I love when I hear women, especially women over 40, that have reinvented themselves,along with reinventing an entire industry!
Lauren Piskin, a former gold medal figure skater, has done just that. She has started a revolutionary addition to fitness that comes from her extensive training as a professional figure skater, dancer and fitness expert.
In the past, Lauren had combined her passion for skating with her gift of working with children, launching a career in coaching figure skaters both on and off the ice for 15 years -- using innovative methods such as slideboard training, plyometrics, stability ball work and pilates. Lauren received her Pilates certification from the Physicalmind Institute and has been working with dancers, private clients and elite athletes for the past 28 years.
Fast forward to the present, PHYSICALMIND Studio opened its doors this Spring with a whole new concept in getting and staying fit. The nationally renowned expert Lauren Piskin and her team of trainers have developed a revolutionary system designed to safely achieve the ultimate fitness results safely and effectively.
PHYSICALMIND Studio offers clients a collection of fun and innovative classes as well as one-on-one Pilates training. The menu of classes consists of signature PHYSICALMIND Slideboard, TRX, PHYSICALMIND MVe Chair, Pilates Reformer and Tower. Designed for the studio as commissioned by Lauren Piskin, the slideboard and the MVe Chair are the only apparatus of their kind in New York City.
The unique new signature combination of classes, all taught using the most advanced in new techniques and state-of-the-art apparatus, has transformed not only the industry, but also the overall health and appearance of PHYSICALMIND's avid followers. PHYSICALMIND Studio is located in Manhattan at 1200 Lexington Avenue, 2nd floor, between 81st and 82nd Streets.
For more information visit: www.phyiscalmindstudio.com
Definitely NOT Your Mother's Beauty Products
Sharon Gnatt, Founder of La Isha
Finally, a beauty company for Over 40 Females that speaks from the heart and doesn't emphasize how to "look younger" or is all about anti-aging products - rather, it's a company that understands we desire the ultimate beauty products for our demographic, and gently explains why going organic is not only good for you on the outside, but on the inside as well.
This Over 40 Female founded an entire company on making products for women over 35 (close enough, we're not that elitist, are we?) and also used women who are in that same demographic to formulate the products!
What I love about Sharon's company is that we share the same philosophy - "Sharon Gnatt Epel is passionate about finding ways to help women recognize and achieve their full potential. It is this commitment to sisterhood that inspired her to create La Ishá, a company dedicated to the empowerment, education, well being and independence of women everywhere." I couldn't have said it better!
Check out these amazing facts about La Isha:
- MADE FRESH TO ORDER: Our Natural Skin Care is made to order in small batches, guaranteeing the kind of results made possible only by using fresh ingredients of maximum potency.
- FORMULATED TO COMBAT THE EXTREME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN COLORADO: Ask anyone who lives in Colorado: the mile-hi city is known to have one of the most challenging climates in the U.S. Skincare that can alleviate and reverse the symptoms of prematurely aging skin here will be effective just about anywhere.
- SPECIALIZED SKINCARE FORMULATIONS DEVELOPED BY WOMEN OVER 35 FOR THEIR PEERS: Unlike other companies who may carry a few crossover products, all of our skincare is designed for women over 35. Our products are formulated by professionals who are themselves part of this demographic and are intimately familiar with the specialized skincare needs of vibrant, dynamic women.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE - NOT JUST NATURAL & ORGANIC: What good is natural and organic if it is ineffective? Our formulations are far more than just free of synthetics, parabens, phthalates, petroleum derivatives and other potential cancer-causing agents: 3 years of consistent customer feedback confirms that La Ishá is exceptionally effective.
- OUR INGREDIENTS HAVE HEALTH SUPPORT BENEFITS that have been documented by the international scientific research community. Check out the live links to the National Institute of Health's database in the Scientific Studies and Newsworthy tabs of our website for more information.
A former concert pianist and graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School, Sharon's graduate studies include programs in aromatic medicine,essential oil therapy, human physiology, exercise science, nutrition,and computer science at various educational institutions including Georgia State University, The American College of Nutrition, and MIT.She has worked for several high-profile American corporations in research, product evaluation, sales, marketing and consumer education,and is a public speaker on the Myth of Cosmetic Safety.
My favorite product? "Breast SOS" - The first natural, synthetic-free topical serum designed to support the beauty and health of the breast and cleavage area. LOVE this!!
To purchase their products, please visit their website: CLICK HERE
Whine? No. Wine? Yes
Over 40 Females has discovered another company started by two women and a t-shirt!
Here is their story:
Two old college friends who had become stay-at-home moms, Elise
and Eileen decided it was time to start their own business as their children
headed off to school. Using their backgrounds in journalism and
marketing/advertising, respectively, Elise and Eileen focused their efforts on
a business that would revolve around the one thing they were currently immersed
in: motherhood. They came up with irreverent phrases that all moms
could relate to and had them embroidered on stylish American Apparel
tees. Testing their products locally, using their communities as
focus groups, Elise and Eileen were incredibly encouraged by the response and
started their Web site, www.PlanetMomTShirts.com,
in July of 2005.
After four and half years that have included features on national television (Today, The View, "My Life on the D List"), radio and television appearances ("The Satellite Sisters", CBS Radio, "Fox & Friends") and celebrity fans (Brooke Shields, Cindy Crawford, Cynthia Nixon and Kathy Griffin,) Planet Mom continues to thrive and satisfy customers across the country and around the world.
You gals make it sound so easy!! Good luck to you, and please wear this t-shirt to our launch party 
Inventor and Mom Trailblazes Her Way Through Baby Industry
Grace Welch is "very, very proud" to be over 40 years of age:
And we're very, very proud of her!! She is the inventor of the Patemm pad:
Grace invented the Patemm Pad, a stylish and practical solution to the diaper bag. The Patemm Pad is a patented, award-winning design that makes changing your little one quick and simple when you are on the go. The round design accommodates squirmy infants and serves as a sleek, all-in-one carrier for diapers, wipes, and even a change of clothes. The mom-invented patemm® pads have received national and international acclaim by parents, caretakers, and the media and has truly become an essential baby item.
Grace has had Guest appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, CBS News, and seen on NBC's The Today Show, ABC's The View, in People Magazine, Real Simple Magazine, DailyCandy, and The Washington Post...
They range from $60 - $80 in beautiful colors and patterns - do you have an infant at home? If you do, you're probably on the run and could use one of these, so order now:
Congratulations Grace!
Interior Artist Creating Her Own Way
Who else to better design your home than the artist herself?
I LOVE when women branch out and create their own career path, let alone their own companies!!
Mindy Siegel, a fascinating combination of interior designer and artist...most people would go and find someone to create art in your home, but Mindy does it herself!
Mindy Hudes Siegel, Interior Artist
From art school, she started her career in the garment industry. After 18 years, 2 babies and9/11 she started her interior business (M Square Design Group) of window treatments and faux finishing.
Her company has grown into a uniquebusiness, specializing in:
- Color Consultations (helps you select paint colors,flooring and cabinet work)
- Home staging (If you are trying to sellyour home or just need a spruce up to your home, she can change the flow of thehome through re-design and Feng Shui)
- Window Treatment (She is aPriority Dealer for all Hunter Douglas Products and has a local workroom tomake any custom home furnishing)
- Faux Finishing (She actually does herown artwork) of walls, floors and furniture. Her most unusual and excitinghome she re-designed was a mini-mansion in her home town. Making a pieceof white sheet rock into a mahogany wood fireplace was one of her proudestmoment of her career. She has redesigned historic houses, apartmentlobbies, studio spaces and more using her color and design background.
An Invention Worth Reading About
I decided to post this one, because there are plenty of women having babies out there over the age of 40, and also because I happen to think it's a genius idea. Pumping breast milk while working on the computer? Would have been MY dream baby product when I had twins, that's for sure!
PumpEase, the world’s ONLY fashionable hands-free pumping bra. Read, write, talk on the one, type away online or tend to your baby, ALL while pumping! …because women like pretty things, EVEN when they’re pumping.
Wendy Armbruster Bell is the Founder & Creative Director of Snugabell Mom & Baby Gear, creators of PumpEase hands-free pumping supports. When she is not helping thousands of breastfeeding Moms around the world pump hands-free and in style, she and her husband Mike are busy raising their two young daughters in beautiful British Columbia, Canada.
She has been featured on Cool Mom Picks, Parents TV, Breakfast Television, Celebrity Baby Scoop and was named a Top Mompreneur for 2009 by The Mompreneur Magazine. For more information, please visit www.PumpEase.com. Wendy can be contacted at wendy@snugabell.com or toll-free at 1.866.963.SNUG (7684).
Are you an Over 40 New Mom? Let us know!
