IN FOCUS
"I love that I can be a small part of the faces featured here, apart of their journey through this life. It's about being apart of something so much bigger than ourselves and each person's willingness to take part in this, it's truly humbling and wonderful. I only hope that the work we have all created together is something that they are proud of. As proud as I am." - Andre Steven Rutgersen
WILLIAM, Ocala Florida - I was completely struck by his face of course. But the fact that he was wearing a leather jacket in such warm weather struck me even more. I asked him if I could take his picture and he agreed saying "Just one."
I would see him again almost a week later and asked him if I could take his photo again. Still in the same jacket but a much easier demeanor he was very giving this second time around.
When he smiled I knew right then and there my instincts were right.
Emmanuel Keita - Long Island, NY 2024 - I got so very fortunate to finally be able to capture this beautiful man's Image before leaving New York. It only took a year and a half but the wait was completely worth it.
For me it’s about letting people know that they matter. Emanual didn’t think he was worth it. These images prove that he does and everyone deserves that moment to show the world they do.
When I ask someone if I can take their photograph it’s because I see something, something that the camera will love.
GLAMOUR PREFERRED - MODEL
When you find that person or persons who just has fun and gives it their all, clothed or not, it's easy to forget about everything else except the atmosphere you've both created.
Not seeing her face adds a mystery to these. She's a fantasy.
I love doing both kinds of shoots, to me there's really no difference. Both are glamourous, beautiful, mystifying and pure femininity at it's best.
"There’s no mystery anymore. We put all of who we are out there. I’m definitely guilty of it. That’s why this completely appeals to me. It’s more fun being a riddle.” - MODEL
What made this an experience was she didn’t care about likes, hits or the ‘Algorithm’. She really loved being a total question mark.
“The actress Veronica Lake, you never see her face really in those old studio photos, she’s who I thought of for all of these. I love the idea of playing ‘Peek-A-Boo’.” - MODEL
“If we’re going to do this let’s go all the way, no tagging, no names, no nothing. I don’t want anyone to know it’s me who knows me. That's the point right? Mystery.(laughing)” - MODEL
Comstock Michigan, David Rafferty Jr. - The following three Images 2025 - I took away all the background because I don't want anyone to see anything else except this face. He has this magnificent face. The crinkle of his eyes when he smiles I find disarming and comforting since the very first day.
2023
2023
2024
I actually really fell in love with him, his honesty. everything. I think that's the key to portrait photography.
It's his vulnerability that I found myself touched by. He took a chance and came to terms with his beauty. At least what I saw as beauty. I just wanted to touch his beard and run my fingers through his hair. Repeatedly.
Heavier bearded, his soft charm something I'm grateful to have captured. As serious as he can look and be, what I discovered is a compassion. A delicacy that isn't afraid to be seen. Underneath his thick mane and invitingly scruffy beard there is a wonderous smile. I saw what I wanted and hit the shutter. I loved the whole thing. Him, me and my camera.
Mike MacDonald 2009 New York, NY - *This Image Digitally Restored* - Without a doubt one of my very favorite photos taken of a friend so many years ago.
David Continued - OUTTAKES 2023, NEW YORK - “I didn’t and don’t wanna be 25 forever. I feel like I am even though the packing isn’t. It’s been through a lot. I put it through a lot but who hasn’t right? It’s been decades since I’ve had my photo taken like this and I’m glad you dragged me kicking and screaming to do this. I’m not a pretty boy anymore but glad I was. I’m also glad I’m not anymore.” (Laughing) - David Rinaldo
OUTTAKES 2023, New York - "The one thing that I just can't shake and honestly...never have really wanted to. I'm a bad boy. What can I say it's fun! (lauging)" - David Rinaldo
"I really really like these. I like 'em because they're simple and kinda corny and posed and mannered. Nothing like me(laughing). But I have my cross and want people to see that. If it weren't for the big guy I don't know what would have happened to me. Because of the big guy I do know what happneded to me, that's why I'm here. That make sense?" - David
Coreyanne Armstrong - Portland, Connecticut 2025
I'd go anywhere to photograph her. She's masterminded her piping career better than some bands I've met. She's continued to up the ante and seems she'll never come down off the cloud she exist on.
She's whip smart, witty, ambitious and very strategic. She's always known how to harness her abilities as a top notch piper and as a woman never letting anyone weaponize her feminine attributes against her.
Coreyanne Armstrong & Husband Bob Hunter Portland, Connecticut 2025
Not just a husband and wife, they are each others protector as well as each others biggest fan. The love of each others lives. At first glance they knew they were meant to journey together come what may. I would travel anywhere to photograph her. Meeting him it was an instant feeling of knowing I would make my way to him as well.
Traveling to their home, it was something out of a fairytale. Watching them together you can't help but know that they live in a world all their very own.
“To spend a life of endless bliss, just find who you love through true love’s kiss.” – Enchanted
Bob Hunter - Portland Connecticut 2025
John Henderson Long Island, NY 2019 - This image featured in the "BAGPIPES and DRUMS" - *Excerpt from and featured in the portrait photography book "BAGPIPES and DRUMS" 2023 Blurb Books "Wounded and real as the rest of us. He doesn't come across as a man that wears his heart on his sleeve, here though you can see his gentle melancholy."*
This Image featured in the photography book "Faces, Outtakes & A Few More Observations" 2021 - There was no hesitation from him when asked to take this pose. His masculinity not preventing his vulnerability from showing.
Babylon Village Long Island, NY 2024 - Thomas Donovan / thedonovanproject.com
“I love that something so simple can become something so dramatic.” - Andre Steven Rutgersen
“When you’re forced to stop and look, and you can’t look away then I’ve accomplished more than I set out to do.” - Andre Steven Rutgersen
Timothy Craig New York, NY - This Image featured in the photography book "Faces, Outtakes & A Few More Observations" 2021 - *These Image Digitally Restored 2024*
Long island NY, 2023 - Evan and Meaghan, together at last! These Images featured In the photography book "Just A Few Adventures In Cameraland" 2024
I absolutely loved working with these two separately and knew that I wanted to work with them together. They came to the session and delivered. Cracking jokes, poking fun at one another as if there were brother and sister.
I of course stepped in and began cracking my own silly jokes making them both laugh. For me that was the best moment between all three of us.
"Youth In Revolt" - What I love about this is they could be two young people on the run in a high octane Independent movie.
"Reservation For Two" - An impromptu lunch to break the ice which as it turned out needed no breaking at all.
They both trusted me and it was a dream of mine to photograph them together. Both agreed when asked and the chemistry, seen here clearly. was something that the camera loved and devoured. They surpassed my expectations and are as young and exciting in person as they are here.
Brendan Gomez Long Island, NY 2020 - Some of the Images below are featured in the photograhy book "BAGPIPES and DRUMS" 2023 -
I liked him and knew he would be absolutely wonderful before the camera. It would be a couple of years later after our first meeting I would ask him to sit for me for the photography book I was working on and to my surprise he agreed. To be able to capture such a face was, and still is quite a coup.
This Image featured in the photography book "BAGPIPES and DRUMS" 2023
By far one of my favorite Images of him from this sitting. When I brought out the top hat he knew what I was going for. With a good laugh he took to it with unwary gusto.
Robert Barreca - Long Island, NY 2025
I'd taken his image many times over the years but nothing like the portrait sessions I've done before. It was only a matter of time before I would pluck up the courage to ask. Of course how I asked though, through a photograph. A few candid photographs of him taken some time ago. There’s so many stories, a lot of years lived looking at my camera lens. All of which deserve to be celebrated.
I really love these more semi-serious Images. Robert is of Italian decent and brings to mind the men of days from past who got things done in a certain way that back then would make most shudder. These days it takes more. Robert though is not that man, as far as I know. To this he would laugh.
As scared as I was to to ask him to pose for me over the years, when he agreed I knew that I would be grateful for anything he gave me. What I didn't expect was just how much he would give to my camera. Aside from the humor and smile there was his honesty humanity when talking and thinking about life and the enormous transitions happening. He would bounce back quickly but this moment I found to be one of the most touching.
What I love is that he doesn’t remind me of anyone else. Not another man alive. He, like everyone in my archive is so uniquely his own person. He’s a bit of a mystery to me which is why I absolutely had to have him before my lens.
"Above all, never let age extinguish the fire of your inner child." - S. Ajna (Writer)
Robert Louis Roberts Jr. Long Island, NY - This Image taken in 2019 featured in the photography book "Faces, Outtakes & A Few More Observations" 2021. Some Images below taken also in 2019, featured below are featured in the photography book "BAGPIPES and DRUMS" 2023
We had two portrait sessions and each one he gave me fantastic Images with all his personality. Not only did he hit the mark of what I was looking for but went past the finish line and then some.
Patti Canon Jannetti Long Island, NY 2021 - Some of these images can be seen in the photography book "BAGPIPES and DRUMS" 2023
A Cannon's Blast! I asked her to play her drum and she said "Are you sure, it's pretty loud?" I said to go for it.
She made what we were doing so easy and pure joy. I handed her the bouquet of flowers and she lit up.
It's the ability to evoke emotion. That's what this has always been about .
Johansen J. 2025 Long Island, NY - I found his face to be strong and seemingly having layers of one life after another. His face has secrets. I couldn't photograph him any other way.
