How to cut through red tape. (one step at a time)

© Denise DeLuise Photography

My husband and I just celebrated our 1 year anniversary.  What should have been blissful  (and it was on many levels) turned out to be the thorn in my side.  The thorn because I kept putting off changing my name and a year later, all my papers, ID etc are in a name I borrowed years ago.40+ years ago when I was first married, I had nothing but a single bank account, SS#, driver’s license and a marriage certificate, it was much simpler to change my name to his.

Now there is so much more attached to my name and the red tape appeared to be endless.   (to me – at least).  Not knowing what had to change first,

I placed a phone call to my lawyer last year for 2 reasons: To see about doing a name change and updating my will (another grandchild was on the way).  The $2500 fee she quoted had me hesitating.  Yikes.  She said that I need to file a petition with the courts in order to start the ball rolling, place a notification in the newspaper stating that I am changing my surname due to a marriage and not to defraud any collection agency.  (OK so the last part is unspoken, but that is one of the reasons and to make sure I’m not put on a terrorist list as stolen identity).

One step at a time…

I couldn’t see the forest from the trees and sometimes when a task seems unsurmountable,  if I ignore it and it might just go away.   What’s in a name…  My husband’s patience was wearing out and wanted why I hadn’t started the proceedings.   He doesn’t think it’s as complicated as the lawyer made it seem and that I could go about it on my own.  (hello honey… have you met me – nothing I do is ever that simple) I too wanted to just do it… It’s not that I didn’t want to take his name.  It’s certainly a lot easier to spell than the one I assumed  41 years ago. We travel and (heaven forbid there is health emergency), having different last names does not show authorities or hospitals that we are married.  No legal paper work that would link us as husband and wife, giving either of us authority to act in each others benefit when split second decisions have to be made.  (Not many people carry their marriage certificate in their wallets).

Monday, I finally put the name change in motion.  I called SS and was told by a recording that I could download the form from their website.  I called motor vehicle – the gal told me I would need my original birth certificate, first marriage certificate, divorce decree and my current marriage certificate as a paper trail of how the names became what they did in order to change my driver’s license and vehicle registrations.  Of course I really should call my local office of Vital Statistics to see if I need to petition the courts to change my name.  (I’ll do that today).

There is an obstacle with my Birth Certificate – people born in Hudson County before 1965 had to get new birth certificates due to a scandal about fraud.  See Vital Statistics.  Again, this is something that I should have done years ago too and didn’t because I already had my passport, driver’s license, etc as ID so why bother. (oh yeah and I was lazy – because you had to jump through a couple hoops in order to get the new certified copy).

The NJDMV gal suggested I go through an online site since I didn’t want to have to go to Trenton in person.  I don’t know what the difference is between the long form and regular Birth Certificate is so I opted for the long form.  And I ordered 3 copies.  I also had to request the certified document of my first marriage.  I don’t think I ever had possession of it since it was my “ex” that needed it to file for divorce.  I do have a copy of my divorce decree.  VitalChek.com asked for copies of specific IDs.  One being my marriage certificate (hello I don’t have it! that’s why I am requesting it from you).  Since I don’t have a fax machine, I had to digitally photograph my driver license (both sides), passport, vehicle registration and my current marriage certificate because it has both my maiden name and my current name (that of my ex- husbands).  Upload the documents alon with the form and they would get back to me within 48 hours to verify that the documents would be accepted and approved in order to move forward.

Friends asked me for years – why didn’t I just go back to my maiden name…  and  here’s the funny story.   I was a receptionist at an ad agency and took a phone call from a school nurse looking for Mrs. so & so.  I was new to the job and checked the list of employees twice knowing that I had no knowledge of the woman.  Sorry no one by that name is at this number…  Casually I mentioned it to the woman who used to be the receptionist and she yelled that’s me!.   Well how would I know since her name was not his.  That’s when I decided that I would not go back to my maiden name as I didn’t want to have a different name than my child.  Both our children were asthmatic and I was so thankful that I queried her as to whether a Mrs. so & so worked there before I did.  She flew out of the office to her child’s school cursing me under her breathe as she pounded the elevator button.

What does this have to do with NY Metro art scene …  we are both artists.  Some of my earlier photography prints that have sold are signed Mary Durante Wehrhahn and the ones from this past year are signed Mary Durante Youtt because that’s who I am now (in my mind).  So you see, even this becomes more complicated than it should. What if I become famous????  Will the value of my work before the name change increase as well?

SS #, Bank Accounts, IRA’s stocks, bonds mortgage, driver’s license, registration of 2 cars, passport, insurance policies, will, credit cards, PSE&G,phone bill, cable and a host of other things will slowly be altered.  So much easier if I had decided to keep my maiden name when I got married the first time (but that was just coming into vogue with women’s lib in 1970).

If all goes well, by the beginning of Dec. (it takes VitalChek 19 – 22 days to research and get the appropriate certificates in the mail) I will change my SS# which is the first on the list, passport is next because I need 6 points of identification to change my  drivers license… Some things should be easier to do (I’m hoping) with just a copy of my current marriage certificate and written notification.

As Juliet once uttered –  What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet….

So yes, before you know it I will legally drop the Wehrhahn and be who I am today  – Mrs. Mary Durante Youtt.  I like the sound  –  has a sophisticated ring to it.

Mary Durante (Wehrhahn) Youtt

Red, white and blue

On our way to my granddaughter’s doctor appt this morning, we noticed Southern Regional High school kids placing flags on the campus.  Later we passed by and I had to rush back with my camera.  The flags nearly filled a football field.  The sun was starting to set behind the building and it was just me and the mosquitoes.  The rows of flags waved in the sun – now this is what Memorial Day is about – paying homage to the soldiers, past, present and future who give of their lives for their country.  Whether you believe in the wars we have fought or not is not the point – it’s about the men and women, our fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters.  They deserve to be honored, they have my respect and my thanks for all that they do.  They sacrafice their time, their families go with an empty seat at the dining tables while the masses are heading to beaches or shopping malls.  Let’s not forget them.

Thank you!

Mary Durante (Wehrhahn) Youtt

Flags

Two sides of Manhattan – Brooklyn & Hoboken

Saturday night I met a number of very talented and charming artists whose works are currently exhibiting at Barking Lizards Art / Design Gallery along with some friends / spouses and partners.

To truly appreciate their work, you must see it for yourself.

Gallery Hours:   Thursday—Saturday, 1pm—7pm, Sunday, 1pm—4pm & by Appointment

231 Bedford Avenue – at the corner of north 4th St., Williamsburg section of Brooklyn  (a short walk from the L train)

I enjoyed talking extensively to Bruce Thurman and his lovely wife Ida, about the progression of his work.  The binder art pieces reminded me of the sketches of work in books of the masters giving insight into the final artwork.

© Bruce Thurman

We talked about 2 of my images on display.  “Victims” from the Killing Fields in Phnom Penn and the nude maternity portrait entitled “Push”

Victims

push

The concept of shooting the pregnant model through plastic occurred to me when I remembered that my father had been born with a birth veil which was considered to be good luck.  A “caul” birth, occurs when the infant is born inside of the entire amniotic sac.   He questioned the position of the model’s hand and after explaining that it came from her right side and it was the shadow of her arm causes one to ponder.  I like that her hand is somewhat disjointed because I remember how my baby would push with such force from inside that I could see the shape of her hand or foot pressing against my belly.  It was an experiment in the moment and not what the entire “bump” photo session was about.  It’s exciting to see if your vision can come to fruition through the lens.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

It’s a story waiting to be told, one that I start and leave it up to the viewer to take what (s)he will from it, finishing it on their own.   It becomes the connection between us.

A brief chat with a couple from the neighborhood about Cambodia and the people, led into a conversation with artist Mark Gibian.  I loved his monoprint and wall sculptures in steel and slumped glass as well as a steel and slumped glass chair (which was surprisingly comfortable).

He recently returned from a trip to Vietnam. Laos and Cambodia.  I mentioned how Jene and I have become involved with Friends Without A Border and Kenro Izu’s Angkor Hospital for Children.  That our donated photo prints have helped raise money to keep his dream of saving lives as well as educating nurses and health care providers in Siem Reap.  Our prints are auctioned along side prints of Steve McCurry, Diane Arbus, Walker Evans to name a few.  We are both honored and humbled to be part of such a worthy cause and knowing that art can truly make a difference in someone’s life.

© Mark Gibian

A few of the other artists on hand are friends of mine as our advertising career paths crossed over 25 years ago.  Gus Guzman painter, sculptor ,  who recently ventured into creating wearable art.  His wife, Deborah Murphy’s beautifully painted murals grace the walls of Barking Lizards.

© Jose Rafael Guzman

Eric Wolman’s street photography is candid and colorful.

© Eric Wolman

Owners Richard and Wanda Correa Drake’s talents are evident and hatched their dream of opening a gallery in the first place.

© Richard Drake

The space itself is a work of art/design with so such attention to detail.

The wonderful thing about going to the artist’s receptions is you can get an insight as to their creative process and an understanding of who they are and how passionate they are about life.

Next Sunday, Jene Youtt and I are exhibiting in Hoboken, NJ for the Spring 2011 Open Studio Tour and you’re invited.

I like being an artistic couple… exhibiting together.  This way we both get to be in the spot light.  So stop by for a glass of wine and mingle with some fabulous artists and crafts people.  All sorts of art forms are on display.

Mary Durante (Wehrhahn) Youtt

Shoot first, ask questions later?

That premise doesn’t work especially in photography.  When working with any new model, it is imperative that you communicate so that you both get what you are looking to capture.  I can’t tell you how many models have said to Jene “Oh, I don’t do nudes” .  Have you seen my website, did you look at what I shoot?  Not that all his models are nude, nor do they have to be but when he is specifically looking for someone to add to a particular project –  why do they bother responding to the casting call.   “I’ll do nudes but you can’t show my face”  (in which case you should be paying Jene not the other way around).   Jene likes to meet his models first, talk about the project, see if they are a good fit.  It’s a lot easier for him since he is in Manhattan.  I’m out in Jersey most of the time and my communication takes place via emails or phone conversations.  Having an understanding before a session is the best route to take.

My last shoot was a wanna-be model, she needed some professional shots to start her on her way.  We made contact through a site we are both on.  (MuseCube)  The images she had up were a few years old.  She liked what I did, didn’t mind driving the  50 minutes to me  and I was willing to do TFCD.  From our conversations I had an idea of what she wanted and she was willing to experiment to give me what I was looking for.  She wasn’t all that experienced with posing and I’m learning how to loosen people up a little by directing.  I got a few good headshots and then we played around with some cloth.  (she didn’t want to do nudes – no problem!)    She doesn’t like her smile and so she said she would practice smiling with her eyes before we shoot again.  A few really good pictures is all any photographer expects from a session.

The same goes for photographing children.

What is it that the parent/guardians are looking for.  Jene & I recently worked with a darling 2 year old boy. Knowing ahead of time that they were looking for head shots to jettison his modeling career gave us an idea of what to go for first.  Toddlers have a small window of opportunity, they get bored sitting still after a half hour.  This clear direction made it a lot easier to deliver the goods quickly, affording us time to click off some images that were endearing and captured his personality.

Having worked with babies/children before, my main question is always: what is the child’s “sweet time”?  (You know, the time when (s)he is happiest).  This goes back 30+ years when a photographer came to my home for my daughter’s 1st formal baby pictures.  I was given a time slot,  I had to interrupt her nap and set her on a cushioned platform.  She fussed and cried the entire 1/2 hour session.  The unhappiest baby shots EVER that I had to pay for.  I had to select from a few bad to horrible images – what a waste of money.  Her nap was cut short and she was looking for her feeding, definately not a happy camper.  Experience has proven that some kids need more time to warm up to strangers than others and we allow for that.  We were scheduled to arrive at 2:oo,  a head-ups phone call from Michele put us back half an hour because Carter had just gone down for his nap.  No problem — when we arrived, he was still sleeping so we spent a little time chatting until he was ready to join us giving Jene time to scout the neighborhood for an ideal local.    He’s a rough and tumble 2 year old boy –  some rock formations and trees in the neighborhood would make a good setting.   It didn’t take long for him to get comfortable in front of a lens and of course he liked when Jene showed him his image on the LCD screen.  A little charmer for sure.  Jene clicked off a number of shots getting the straight forward head shots as well as some cute images of Carter on his little push car.  I took a few shots of Michele and Carter and I know they will be in a family photo album.  We filled one 4 GB card (shooting in raw), had more than enough great images and were on our way home in plenty of time to get stuck in late Friday afternoon traffic.

I just emailed Michele a number of images – her response BEAUTIFUL WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!    Now that’s what I like to hear -a  more than satisfied customer.

A key element is acknowledging the individual’s personality and working with them.    It’s a knack, one that good professional photographers possess.  When I photograph my granddaughters, I allow them to emerge and I delve a little deeper.  I think both of them are naturals.  They know how to play to the camera and will always be my favorite subjects to shoot.

I like shooting alongside Jene, it’s especially nice to see him interact with kids – seeing the fatherly side of him coming out, or is it the little kid in him.  Either way,  I think being around children brings out the kid in all of us.  It’s fun to be on their level, you get to see life from a different perspective.

Mary Durante (Wehrhahn) Youtt

Mother’s Day gifts – art in any form…

is a gift from the heart.

If you are a last minute shopper and still have no idea what to get for your wife/mother/daughter for Mother’s Day – look to a lasting gift of art.  Flowers and chocolates last only for a few days – the wilted petals and empty cardboard boxes will be part of the land fill next week.

A family portrait makes for lasting memories and if you are in the NY/NJ metro area you can schedule a photosession with Labor Of Love Pix

Jene and I are a couple of fine art photographers who will capture the dynamics of your family in an artistic way.

If jewelry is more to your liking, you can find one of a kind unique pieces at Barking Lizards Art & Design Gallery, 231 Bedford Ave in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn…  with price ranges to suit your every need.   Owners, Wanda and Richard are not only entrepreneurs but artists themselves and they carry everything from jewelry, pottery, photography, artfully designed lights, silks, blown glass to sculptures and stained glass pieces.  (A place where I have exhibited and where I have purchased a number of gifts for myself and my friends).

Fine art photography prints are not only lasting but a valued investment.  My florals are hanging in several homes across the area and fit any decor. Or choose from my objects of interest portfolio for an abstract print that will be more a conversation piece of art.

Click here for a look at my website.

Jene has some beautiful scenery which would enhance any room or choose one from his dancer portfolio for an emotionally uplifting vision of color and movement.   Click here to view his website.

For a tasty treat, you can purchase biscuits or jars of spices from LaBoit Biscuit & Spices at the corner of 51st and 11th Avenue, NYC.  The delicate savory delights come gift boxed in a embossed tin of the spring/summer featured artist.  The artistic box can hold “Mom’s little treasures” long after the last crumbs are but a sweet memory.

Think the “MOM” in your life is one of a kind?  Give her a gift that conveys that message loud and clear.   Something unique, with a lot of thought behind it.  (She probably still has the macaroni necklace you made in grammar school or at least remembers how excited you got when she placed it around her neck, it was as special as you and she are).   And remember, mother’s day should be celebrated every day of her life.  Happy Mother’s Day to the mother’s of the world.

Mary Durante Wehrhahn Youtt

Dance the night away…plus other art events this week

NYC Ballet springs into action with performances starting today.  My husband,  Jene Youtt emailed me a crytic message.  NYCB – want to go.  Not sure which performance he is thinking about but I’m game for anything  (Balanchine’s B&W would be nice).  Perhaps he was thinking Mother’s Day?  Discount tickets are available at TravelZoo (free to join).

Art in any form is an expression of emotion and something I always held close to my heart.  From a young age we are taught not to show our emotions as if they were signs of weakness.  Don’t cry, don’t be upset, don’t wear your heart on your sleeve.  WHY NOT!  Are they weapons that will be used against us. (well maybe, sometimes in the hands of the wrong person or around scary aggressive animals)…   And yes, I understand when emotions could become your own worse enemy but that’s not what I am talking about here.  I like releasing my emotions, letting my heart sing, taking flight or sinking into a pool of blue.  They make up who I am.

The Affordable Art Fair also runs this week starting with previews on Wednesday.  Perfect timing for a personal mother’s day gift.  I’m sure we will be heading over there at some point to stop by and see Emmanuel Fremin Gallery’s exhibit (booth B3) as well as A.I.R. gallery and my friend, artist Christine Soccio has work exhibiting at  U Gallery  (Booth E7).  I’m hoping that she will be there in person. (I have one of her first abstracts in my living room).

There’s also an artist’s opening on Sunday @ 6:30 at the Klimat Lounge (77 West 7th St in the city where our friend,  Vlad Kenner will be showing his work.

So celebrate art and life.

Mary Durante Wehrhahn Youtt

When it rains it pours…

April showers doesn’t just pertain to the weather… it seems a busy month for me on all levels. Yesterday, was my daughter’s baby shower, today her birthday, the 7th Jene needs to take care of something, the 11th and 12th, he is lighting a show and I will assist, the 12th is the artist opening at the Vermont Photography /Darkroom Gallery in Essex Junction where one of my images will exhibit in a group juried show “The True Story”.  The 16th I leave for Barcelona, returning on the 25th.   Whew!  I’m exhausted already.  The end of the month will be here before it gets into full swing.

I still have to edit through a photoshoot that I did at the end of March but managed to post a few of my favorites to my website.  There’s bills to pay, people to see and places to go. and there’s the juried competition submissions that I’m still deciding if I should enter and what images to submit.

Submission deadlines:

Tuesday:  April 5th The Center for Fine Art Photography – Black & White

Thursday: April 7th (extended deadline)  PDN The Curator – hmmm do they extend the deadline in order to meet their quota for $$$  probably but it may just be the inscentive I need to submit an image or 2.

Anyone interested can click on the links to get to their sites for more information.

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Openings at local galleries and not so local:

Tuesday  April 5th  6-8pm Soho Photo Gallery

15 White Street, NYC

40th ANNIVERSARY exhibiting works by Seven of the Founding Members

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Thursday April 7th  6-8pm Bruce Silverstien Gallery

535 West 24th St.  NYC

NIGHT Ilse Bing – Brassai – Robert Doisneau – Andre Kerlesz

LONG TAKES Maria Antonietta Mamel

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Sunday April 10th 4-6pm A.I.R. Gallery

111 Front St.  Suite 228,  Brooklyn

AMONG WOMEN – a program of readings by young women writers

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Tuesday April 12th 5 – 8pm Vermont Photography Gallery / Darkroom Gallery

12 Main St.   Essex Junction, VT

A TRUE STORY – International Juried competition  – over 40 artists were selected by Peter Turnley, the reknown photojournalist will be giving a talk Moments of the Human Condition at 6:30pm.

I’m honored to have one of my images chosen by a photographer that I have the utmost respect for.

Lean on Me

I know this is last minute but some days I’m so busy that my head spins….

Remember art is an investment in beauty and humanity.

Mary Durante Wehrhahn Youtt

my website

Weekend review – NY style

Jene took the bus out to Jersey Thursday so that we could drop the xr7 at the mechanic’s.  A few things still need to be done that Jene can’t fix.  Spent the day waiting for the car to go on the lift, frustrated Jene stopped by.  A backlog of work had the car sitting outside all day, Friday late afternoon, Jene rolled up his sleeves and actually helped Frank work on a car that needed to get out that night.  Saturday still nothing… we headed back into the city.

Saturday night, we participated in Earth Hour 2011.  I quickly cleared the table, washed the dishes and set out candles in the living room and bedroom.  We sat on the couch, talking and I noticed that other apt lights were out too.  I thought about venturing out to see how many neighbors were even aware of the international movement but instead opted to take a shower by candlelight and turn in early.  😉

A late start on Sunday, we walked down to ArtExpo 2011 at Pier 94.  Maybe we’ve gone to one too many art fairs lately or I’m just tired of seeing paintings, prints and what-not embedded in layers of shiny resin.  We whizzed by most of the exhibits barely turning our heads, let alone stopping to chat although there are always a few artists’ works that are worth the pause.  Original oil paintings are photographed and digital prints are embellished with acrylic paints making them one of a kind editions of 50.  The eyepopping colors of beautiful women in brightly colored gowns and flamengo attire was very impressive on larger then life size canvases.   It must be nice to have the wall space to do these justice.  Jene chatted about the mixed medium process.

An Italian artist Maria Paola Tallini talked about her photography and working her magic in layers in photoshop until she gets the desired effect.  She referred to her post editing as photo painting giving it a vibrant dimension.

© Maria Paola Tallini

© Maria Paola Tallini

Jene chatted with a guy that sells pop art photography and found out that Dan toured with the Rolling Stones about 10 years ago.  Jene toured with them in ’72 through Europe.  Small world –  they spoke of mutual coworkers and “the business”  yadda, yadda, yadda, they could have gone on for hours sharing a few laughs and a lot of stories.  When he talks about the business, his eyes sparkle, it wasn’t an easy gig but it certainly makes for interesting tales with some interesting characters.  Hell, I’ve never toured with the Stones or any rock groups.  Jene’s friend Kenny still does it, but it takes a toll on the body for sure.  Maybe someday he’ll write a book – ‘The life and times of Jene Youtt– the early years’.  I don’t come into play until the later years and not sure how interesting that would be but that would be a romance novel.

One thing I forgot to mention when we went to Scope or was it last weekend walking back from The Artists project and the Architectural Digest Show we stopped at La Boite – Biscuits & Spices.  A new shop on 11th and 51st St.  We passed it once before and weren’t sure if it was a gallery or caterers because there was some stainless steel counters.  It was closed but the owner Lior Lev Sercarz opened the door and invtited us in.  It’s sort of both he said,  he selects international artists and has one of their pieces embossed onto the lid of the cookie tins that are filled with petite biscuits. This unique boxed tin of biscuits make for a unique hostess, birthday or special ocassion gift.

boxed gift-embossed tin of seasonal biscuits

Lior was delightful and I/we could have spent more time getting to know about the gallery which will have an opening at the end of April.  So biscuits and spices – how novel.  Lior created 40 unique blends spices and I want to learn more about the flavors and maybe suggestions on the many uses for his spices.

LaBoite  (Wed – Fri. 3-7pm)

724 11th Avenue

I don’t know that much about spices but have learned over the years to trust my sense of smell.  When I am preparing anything, I let the aromas dictate what spice or herb to add.  I open up the jar, sniff and if I like the flavors, I add that herb or spice.

Mary Durante Wehrhahn Youtt

 

 

 

 

 

ArtExpo and Earth Hour this weekend

Jene Youtt and I will be heading to ArtExpo NY this weekend with over 400 artists from 20 countries exhibiting their work.  It’s a short walk from our NY pied a terre to Pier 94.  ArtExpo starts on Thursday March 24 running through Sunday.  There’s an array of educational seminars and Jane Seymoour will be on hand for Free Arts NYC on Saturday from 9 am to noon.  She will be painting a Warhol inspired mural with the kids from Free Arts NYC.  10% of the door sales will benifit Free Arts NYC.  It’s always a good feeling to give back.

© unknown press photo

Also on Saturday, you can participate in Earth Hour 2011 at 8:30 pm.  My friend, Pat and I participated last year in Auckland, NZ

when the hotel we were staying at invited all the guests to turn off their room lights and join them at the bar for a complimentary cocktail.

Earth Hour 2010

Something to do and the more participants the better…  After all, it’s the only earth we have and the way things are going, we’d better start doing something quick to save energy and our decrease our dependance on fossil fuels and nuclear sources.   Spending an hour or more in candle light can spark a little romance in your life too.  😉

Whatever your plans are, enjoy every moment…

Mary Durante Wehrhahn Youtt

International juried competition – VT. photo SPACE gallery

As I’ve stated before entering a juried competition is a crap shoot and at the last minute I changed out one of the 3 images that I decided to submit to Vermont Space Gallery “A True Story”. The juror is the formidable photojournalist Peter Turnley, someone whose work I saw a while back at PhotoSalon when he was presenting his astonishing work.  His work blew both Jene and I away and I had to applaud him for what he does and the risks he and other journalists take to tell these crucial stories.  Recently Peter was in Egypt and posted some of his stunning photos on his FB page.

I cannot begin to tell you how utterly excited, not to mentioned honored to be a part of this group exhibition.  The exhibit opens April 5th with a reception on April  12th at 5pm followed by a talk – “Moments of the Human Condition” by Peter Turnley.  45 images were selected in the process and are posted online.  Click on “A True Story” for the link to see all the selected photos.

When a woman with breast cancer contacted me through a post on a cancer site, saying that she is not in the metro NY/NJ area but wondered if I would photograph her, I couldn’t say no.  With my magellen navigator in hand, I found my way to her home in SE PA and she found her way into my heart.  Her story is not unique, too many women are diagnosed every day with breast cancer and it effects the entire family stretching out to their extended family of friends and neighbors.  Telling her story through my photos is very important to me, although I have not ecperienced breast cancer first hand, I am a woman, a mother and grandmother of 2 girls with another on the way.  But for the grace of God, go I.

It started with a woman named Carmen, who loved the sensual female nudes I captured and wondered if I would photograph her.  Then she found out she had breast cancer and I shot her before and after her double mastectomy and decided from that point that I wanted to tell her story and those of others – Beauty Beyond Breast Cancer and to show that a scar is just a line drawn across a body.  So if you are in the metro NY/NJ area and want to be a part of my personal body of work, feel free to contact me.  I will schedule a photosession, gratis and will give you a CD of the images that we create together.

You can see the type of photos that I have taken on my Labor Of Love Pix blog.  Although it contains some nudity, the images are artfully captured.

If you are in the Essex Junction area of VT. do stop in the gallery.  My husband and most ardent fan, award winning photographer Jene Youtt will be at my side for the artist reception of April 12th.

Vermont Photo Space Gallery

12 Main Street

Essex Junction VT

Hope to see you there!

Mary Durante Wehrhahn Youtt