Hello friends,

Great news!  We have just announced our online raffle available immediately through end of day December, 29, 2009.   This is through my company TopStar gallery which many of you have heard me promote online and now with our Bryant Park storefront (come visit us please!).

TopStar recognizes that their are many unfortunate people living all over the world.  With a recession that has staying power, 2009 is going to be a year where end of year giving is not on the same levels as years past.

As a result, we have decided to have an online raffle with fabulous one of a kind art to give away to the raffle winners.  We will be basing the number of prizes on the dollar value we receive; however our Grand Prize winner will be walking away with a Framed, Matted & Signed 20×24 photograph of their choice (a $300 value!).  Click on the link above for more details.

50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Make A Wish Foundation on December 30, 2009.

We appreciate your support and hope that you can spare at least $10 this holiday season towards a great cause. 

Also, the store is doing great!  We have a great location and traffic has picked up each week.  Wish us luck as the full force hoilday shopping is coming now!  All in all, this has been one risk worth taking and our 7 promoted artists are benefitting as well!

Please forward to your friends and family as well.  Every dollar makes a huge difference to those that are not as fortunate as us!  Strength in numbers forever!!!

To enter the raffle, click here.

See you all soon!

- Dan

Dan Marino
Founder
TopStar Gallery / Marino Photography
www.topstargallery.com
www.danmarinophoto.com

I recently had the amazing opportunity to shoot a live set for an old friend and career rock n’ roller, Michael MacIvor, and his new band, A Family Plot.

MacIvor, formerly of the band Candiria, has stepped up from behind the bass guitar and become lead vocalist.  As you will read below, A Family Plot is a different flavor than his past.  These guys rock and I can’t help but pick out influences such as Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, and the Police; three of my personal favorites.

Enjoy the story and corresponding images!  As always, we appreciate all of your comments.  Look out for our overall special projects on music, stage, and clubs – think disco balls, microphones, bar tops, and a whole lotta music!

You can view the entire gallery by clicking here. Enjoy the photos!

A Family Plot Live – Thursday, October 22 in Brooklyn and Dan will be shooting it again. Click here  – You are cordially invited to attend!  We hope to see you there!

CLIENT CATEGORY: Music

ABOUT THE SHOOT: The venue was a New York City spot named Ace of Clubs.  We were dealing with an extremely dark room with some white flood lights accompanied by blue- and red-colored fill lights throughout the performance.  Given the layout and the lack of usable shooting space, this quickly became a challenging assignment.

The keys here were creativity and drama.  One of my main goals was to present and communicate the feeling of movement throughout the riffs, strums, rolls, and beats.  Each band member came ready to play with tremendous inspirational chords and key strokes, firing off pure energy.

In order to create the desired effects, decisions were quickly made to shut down the flash, aggressively increase the ISO, and slow down the shutter.  To me, this shoot wasn’t really about sharp, crisp environmental portraiture.  It was more about motion  blurring; intense, dark lighting and shadowing; deliberate grain; wide-angle, full-blown views; close-up instrumental detail; and well-documented rock n’ roll, baby!

I really wanted myself and my viewing audience to get to know the band members: their energy, passion, desire, and ability to deliver their style of musical perfection.  I’d say, mission accomplished!  These guys had the place going strong, and by the second song, there were moments when my camera trigger was firing in perfect harmony to the beat!

Come out to Matchless in Brooklyn on Thursday night, October 22, 2009, to hear A Family Plot and see Marino Photography in action – click here for the event details – you are invited!  The band will be singing songs from its just-released EP, now available for purchase on iTunes.  I will once again be behind the camera and shedding my viewpoint on the band and their fanfare.

You can view the entire gallery by clicking here- Enjoy the photos!

ABOUT A FAMILY PLOT:
After spending nearly 10 years as the bassist for critically-acclaimed jazz/metal fusion band Candiria, Michael MacIvor decided to take the risk of his professional life.  “I wanted to do something that nobody would see coming at all.  I got myself a guitar and started writing songs and singing,” he says.  “What came out couldn’t be any further from what Candiria was.”

In the fall of 2008, MacIvor planted the seeds that would rapidly sprout and become A Family Plot.  His intention was to get back to the roots of where he started.  Drawing from all of the members’ formative influences, the band would touch upon the classic sounds of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, but also mix in influences such as the Police, Nirvana, and Jane’s Addiction.

“I could have hired any number of well-known musicians for this project, but it was important for me to assemble a band of people I knew well and considered family,” says MacIvor.  “The music was so close to me and so personal, I felt I could only really share the experience with people I truly cared about.”

Enter MacIvor’s former Candiria bandmate and long-time songwriting partner John LaMacchia.  LaMacchia had been working on super-group Spylacopa and his own record label, Rising Pulse, for some time.  But eager to make music with MacIvor again, LaMacchia joined the fold when called upon.  Longtime friends Wayne Schneiderman and Joseph Milazzo of art-rock group Black Pig would round out the rhythm section. 

A Family Plot has set out with one goal in mind: to make music that is important again.  Each member has stated that growing up, the most important thing to them was music.  Their mission is to make music that will move people; that is as important to others as the music they listened to was to them.

“Today it seems that a lot of music is just a sidebar to the fashion or the style of the scene, and it’s sad,” MacIvor says.  “By no means are we saying that you can’t be into fashion. You can!  Just don’t make it more important than the songs.”

A Family Plot released its self-titled independent EP in early October 2009.  In the short time since the EP’s release, it’s been getting great feedback.  The disc is currently available through Rising Pulse Records and the band’s official website, www.afamilyplot.net. It will also be available worldwide through iTunes by the end of October.

You can view the entire gallery by clicking here – Enjoy the photos!

To learn more about A Family Plot, check out these links:

MAIN WEBSITE | www.afamilyplot.net

BUY OUR TRACKS | http://bit.ly/1yVLTh (Direct iTunes store link)

MYSPACE | www.myspace.com/afamilyplot

FACEBOOK | http://tinyurl.com/yjqnb9v

TWITTER | www.twitter.com/familyplot

YOU TUBE | www.youtube.com/afamilyplot

RISING PULSE | www.risingpulse.com

Upcoming Shows

October 22, 2009
Bar Matchless
557 Manhattan Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 383-5333

Also playing: X-Tina and Beatbox Guitar

November 17, 2009
Public Assembly
70 North 6th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 384-4586

Also playing: Panzie, Chainsaw Trio

December 26, 2009
Ace Of Clubs
9 Great Jones St.
New York, NY 10012
(212) 677-6963

Also playing: God’s Green Earth

Hi Friends,

A very exciting opportunity has arisen! Please tune into Sirius XM Radio, Channel 102 this Wednesday, September 16 from 10:15AM to 10:45AM to hear my live interview from Mary Occhino.

To go on the air and discuss my photography goals and accomplishments will be an incredible experience.

In addition, I will be discussing one of my favorite photographic locations – Red Hook, Brooklyn! If you have not yet visited Red Hook (what are you waiting for!), there is so much history, character, incredible old world architecture, and staying power that is unbelievable. NYC is great, and Red Hook plugs in well as a healthy, creative, and intelligent supplement. Plus, as I have discussed on numerous occasions, there are unmatched views and infinite piers to enjoy them. So lets continue the conversation over the airwaves!

“Angels on Call” by Mary Occhino is the show and I will be part of her “Wondrous Wednesdays” segment. Mary has made her name over the years by comforting thousands and thousands of people through her phenomenal mediumship abilities! She has reached celebrity status and continuously does readings for well known people such as Deepak Chopra (one of me and my wife’s favorite spiritual scientific healers and coaches). See more about Angels on Call with Mary O by clicking here.

Thank you Mary for the press and conversation – Lets do Red Hook proud and tell the world about it!

Tune in to Sirius XM Radio, Channel 102 this Wednesday, September 16 from 10:15AM to 10:45AM. Send me an email and let me know what you think after the interview. It will also be replayed this coming Sunday.

- Dan

It’s funny – I remember reading 8 years ago after this tragedy that post traumatic stress can linger for 10 years.  Unbelievable to me as a young 24 year old guy and I was convinced that I moved on a few months later.  However, 8 years later, I still very much deal with what happened, my experiences, my wife’s experiences and some friends who never made it out. 

If you have similiar experiences and are dealing with your sadness, rememberence and celebration today, I hope you spend it as you see fit and honor your fallen heros and exactly what they perished for.  Our continuance of life today and the progress we make is directly related to what our loved ones had to suffer.

Remembering Giovanna “Gennie” Gambale and Joesph Henry amongst the many others who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

____

Here is my story from Sept. 11 that was used to tell my story to the hundreds that tried contact me the next few days after:

Outside Directly Across The Street
Well it was very sad, tragic, and mysterious, but I was directly across the street standing in front of the Millennium Hotel; something I am still trying to get over and it is going to take a while.

I was running late this day because I had to drop off my car for service in midtown Manhattan.  My normal route to work from Brooklyn involves taking the X28 express bus to the World Trade Center (in front of Century 21).  I then walk across the street. go into the 4WTC, and proceed down to the mall area.  I make my way to Cornucopia (usually around 8:45 AM) to grab a protein shake, and I then walk into the lobby of 2WTC to go back outside, walk across the street, and up the escalator inside the West Side Highway overpass bridge, taking me into the lobby of 1 World Financial Center.

 On this day, I was taking the E train into the 5WTC.  We arrived at approximately 8:45AM.  I was trying to get inside the Trade Center mall area to grab breakfast and get to work, but we were being told we could not enter, and were immediately pushed as a group up the Church Street and Rector Street stairwell exit (someone people mentioned that they heard someone say a man got shot).  As I was halfway up the stairs, a police officer was screaming, “Excuse me, clear the way,” as he was escorting another officer who had a jacket covering his right shoulder (looked like he got shot).  Getting closer to street level, I saw people pointing and looking up, screaming and crying.  As I got all the way upstairs, I saw 1WTC on fire, with a huge hole on the right side of the building, and it was truly shocking.  I didn’t know what to do, so I found a spot directly on the corner of the Millennium Hotel (approx 25 feet from the front of 4WTC, 5 WTC and the WTC atrium area), and all I could do was stare at the building.

 Trying to listen to what had happened, I overhead someone say that a small jet hit the building.  I could not comprehend this, nor would I believe it.  After a few minutes, I witnessed people taking their lives from upper floors (75+) of 1 WTC.  These people chose to leap out of windows and plummet to their death, rather than being trapped and burning to death and I can’t say that I blame them.  I had to see at least 25-30 people jump.  It seemed like this was going on for an hour in length; however, the reality was more like 5-10 minutes.  It was a truly grueling and traumatizing experience for me and will take some time to get over.  One lasting image in my mind was 4 people holding hands all the way down (From where I was, I never saw these people hit the ground – I thank god for that!)

 A while later the 2nd plane hits the 2WTC, another awful experience.  I don’t know if the other people around me saw this the way I did (and I am extremely curious to find out exactly how they saw everything and how they are dealing with it), but the 2nd plane was not seen until it hit the 2 WTC.  Basically, there was so much black smoke, smog and fire filling the air, and there was so much noise and commotion, than this 2nd plane could not be seen and was barely heard.  All I truly remember is taking focus off of 1 WTC to glance over at 2WTC.  The plane just seemed to appear, just become visible a few inches away from the building.  I watch it on TV and say to myself, this is not how it happened and it definitely did not look this way.  The plane was tremendous! (767 I think), and I saw it from the bottom, tilting to the left.  Again, it just appeared from the smoky air, and within a second, it hit the 2WTC and caused a ferocious explosion.

 This impact sent everyone around me in frenzy.  I did not move.  I was too shocked and I do not know why, but I did not want to run away; I wanted to stay and watch it.  That lasted for all of 5 seconds (which felt more like 5 minutes) because pieces of the building and debris started falling and I had to get out of the way, so I ran down the Millennium Hotel block (Jay street?).  People were running so hard and so fast that they literally were running out of their shoes.  I eventually ended up, thankfully and surprisingly unharmed, down near J&R Music World and Pace University.

 This was only a few blocks, but I had to turn around and look at these buildings and experience the fear I had run away from.  The site of these 2 buildings, landmarks, on fire and in shambles was really painful to see.  I was terrified at this point.  After about 15 minutes, I finally ran into someone I knew from my company and we spoke about what we had experienced. He left to go home, I stayed and watched.  A few minutes later, I walked towards the courthouse and sat down in amazement in the park area.  While I started talking to people, I heard, then turned around and saw the 2WTC falling and ran away again from falling debris. Standing in front of the park, I was blocked from immediately being hit by traveling debris, but had I not run, it would only be a matter of time until it made its way in my direction.  As I turned around, all I could see was the antenna of one of the trade centers, and finally, I looked away and walked for a while.  I had seen enough.

 I ended up in a bar on Broadway and Houston Street.  I wanted to get as far away as possible, but I also wanted to get in front of a TV to see what the hell just took place.  It was about 10:30AM at this point, because as I went into the bar and sat down, they were showing the 2WTC beginning to fall.  I sat down, watched the TV, and drank about 8 shots of Southern Comfort with others people I met.  Finally, I got my first cell phone connection dialed out to my mother to let her know I was safe.

 While most people tried leaving the city ASAP, it didn’t mater to me.  I ended up traveling to different bars and locations to stay updated, and remain drunk.  It wasn’t until 8:00PM, that I finally needed to go home, back to Brooklyn.  Thankfully, the F train was running again, so I went down into the W4th Street station, jumped on the train, and went home. 

 Throughout that day, and for the next few days, one thing was on my mind – Why?  Was I supposed to be in this building at the time, and why was I supposed to witness this.  There may very well be no answer to this.  Thinking long hard about this, whether I was on time going to work taking my normal route, or whether I was late from dropping off my car, I still would not have been in the building where I would be harmed.  Had I been on time, I would have been in the 2WTC lobby, just about to walk out and cross the street.   I would have probably seen and/or heard the 1^st plane hit and ran back down Liberty Street rather than running up the escalator into 1 World Financial Center.  Had this happened, I believe I would have ended up in close to the same exact spot I was because I would have wanted to watch what was taking place.

So basically, the question is, why was I supposed to be 25 feet away from the buildings, watching this major catastrophe?  If I was truly not supposed to be there on this day, then why wasn’t I left in midtown, so I could not witness this tragedy in a front row seat?  Again, one will never know why they were where they were on this day.   I can just be thankful that I was unharmed.

Dan Marino
Brooklyn, NY

 On my way to CIBC World Markets, 1 World Financial Center

Hello Friends,

You are invited to another gallery opening this weekend in Red Hook! BWAC is the spot (that’s Brooklyn Waterfront Artist’s Coalition for you newbies!) – See more gallery details by visiting http://bwac.org

The gallery has a very cool character and is extremely industrial – have I mentioned the free cocktails, appetizers, entertainment, NYC views (statue of liberty closeup, skyline, Verrazano Bridge, etc)…. What more can you want!

The show begins Saturday, September 12 and will run until Sunday, October 25 (weekends only 1-6PM). This is the last show of 2009.

The BWAC gallery is right off the Red Hook waterfront (across from Fairways and 2 blocks from IKEA) so you NYC dwellers can take the free IKEA water taxi (http://www.nywatertaxi.com). Pick up some new art and quite possible a new sofa to sit under it!

See you there!

After the open, I will post a web gallery with my displayed works and a special discount for the length of the show. Reach out to me when you plan on attending so perhaps our path will cross.

- Dan

 

 

Are you a TopStar yet? We’re waiting!!! TopStar Images – www.topstarimages.com

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Just wanted to let you know that my art will appear in a one day gallery show this Thursday, August 6 at 76 Front Street in Brooklyn (DUMBO) under the Manhattan Bridge.

Once again, the views are incredible, especially as the sun is going down on the skyline.  But the art is nice too!  I will be there starting at 6PM.  Show concludes at 10PM.  DUMBO is a short distance from NYC – if you work downtown, we are talking a few minutes.

I hope to see you there. Please click on the flyer to the left to go to the gallery website for more details.

- Dan

_____

BECOME A TOPSTAR TODAY!
Another project I have been building which is now a reality and ready to rock n roll is TopStar Images –this is Marino Photography’s bid to offer stock images, video, paintings, sculptures, etc. to the world! Like traditional stock agencies, you can come to TopStar, do a search for a specific keyword (go now and type in “Brooklyn Bridge”), and find images for your print, web, marketing project for a relatively low cost.

Unlike the traditional agencies…if you are an art lover, collector, looking to decorate your house, etc., TopStar provides the means to make professional high quality archival prints that will ship straight to your home for immediate “wall appeal”. In addition, TopStar will showcase incredible exposure to the artists of the world and allow you to work our arrangements to get that art into your living quarters!

Check out www.topstarimages.com to see what I am talkng about. By the end of August there will be a substantial collection of items that will allow you to find what you are looking for. 5 new members just signed up so I am overly anxious to see what work will be donning the website in a month or less.

The BWAC Summer Gallery show in Brooklyn is moving along. 2 more weekends to go – Sunday, August 16th being the last day. The show runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-6PM. As mentioned in my last post, on the 16th, the silent auction will conclude with a final roll call at around 4PM.

I also mentioned that I was going to make public my works for sale online. Well here they are! If you have not yet made it to the gallery or will not get a chance to, here is what I chose to hang. The ocean related Black and White’s are on one wall, the to Coney Island Parachute Jump images are on the 2nd wall, and on the auction wall, one of the pieces (I have 3 total) I chose was the archway image which is actually the Coney Island Child’s Building.

Enjoy the images! They are all for sale on this website by clicking Buy->This Photo. If you want this signed, and/or matted and framed, please contact me directly and I can quote you prices.

Here is the link -> CLICK HERE FOR DAN’S BWAC SUMMER 2009 GALLERY ART

Speak with you soon,

Dan

____
BECOME A TOPSTAR TODAY!
Another project I have been building which is now a reality and ready to rock n roll is TopStar Images –this is Marino Photography’s bid to offer stock images, video, paintings, sculptures, etc. to the world! Like traditional stock agencies, you can come to TopStar, do a search for a specific keyword (go now and type in “Brooklyn Bridge”), and find images for your print, web, marketing project for a relatively low cost.

Unlike the traditional agencies…if you are an art lover, collector, looking to decorate your house, etc., TopStar provides the means to make professional high quality archival prints that will ship straight to your home for immediate “wall appeal”. In addition, TopStar will showcase incredible exposure to the artists of the world and allow you to work our arrangements to get that art into your living quarters!

Check out www.topstarimages.com to see what I am talkng about. By the end of August there will be a substantial collection of items that will allow you to find what you are looking for. 5 new members just signed up so I am overly anxious to see what work will be donning the website in a month or less.

YOU DIDN’T KNOW I WAS A LIFE COACH TOO!
Hope the summer is treating you all well; especially in these times it is most important to not lose focus on L-I-F-E !  Yes thats right – even when things look down and adversity sets in, I always have to take some steps backward and realize that it is the decisions you make during these times where you can make the biggest changes and differences in your well being and the well being of others all over the world.  Don’t lose that focus and take things “out of range” as us fellow photographers always boast.  The same holds true to your values, family, career, mind, muscles and body, etc.  I can talk about this for hours so if this is your thing, feel free to contact me directly!   To close, if I can recommend one book, it would be The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer.  You will quickly puts things right back into perspective and be excited to what the future holds.

BWAC ART GALLERY UPDATE
OK on to the updates.  The BWAC Summer Gallery Show is going well and continues until Sunday, August 16th.  If you come on the last day towards the end of the day (around 3:30PM), the auction wall will start closing and each piece hanging will go to final bids.  If you are the lucky winner, the art will ship that day.  I have sold many pieces this way.  These are more of a donation to the greater BWAC organization and in turn, people walk away with many afforable pieces of art that would normally cost 50 – 200% more.  This week I will post my art in a private online gallery so you can see what I am showing at BWAC if you cannot make it down – this will all be for sale if you or a friend is interested.

BACK TO THE D.U.M.B.O. BROOKLYN STREETS
 I have been invited back to DUMBO!  I would have snuck my way in anyway!  The last time I told you about DUMBO I was displaying some landmark and historical NYC photographs on the 11th floor of a building that boasted sweepinig views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, NYC Skyline and a famous clock tower (which is someone’s apartment!) – you can literally reach out and touch it!  This time I will be on the 1st floor of a full glass space that will invite the public in naturally.  Next Thursday evening, August 5 is the date.   The 1 day showing is brought to you by the guys at General Particular and the gallery is called Collective Art.  As an added benefit, the showing coordinates with the regular DUMBO Art Walk that occurs the 1st Thursday or every month.  This is a gallery invite you do not want to miss out on!  And if you “don’t travel to Brooklyn – lol”; let it be known that you are literally closer than you think from NYC and they may as well just deem DUMBO NYC already.  So come on down!  More information to follow later in the week.

ADVERTISING, MARKETING & ALL THAT JAZZ….
I have officially started by merketing campaigns online and as a result my portrait and event services are starting to boom.  It is great to hear that when someone finds me they tell me they went to google and simply typed in “headshots” or “baby portraits” and poof – danmarinophoto.com pops up!  OK – maybe I am too excited about that, but I do think this is the next step to success.

BECOME A TOPSTAR TODAY!
Another project I have been building which is now a reality and ready to rock n roll is TopStar Images – http://www.topstarimages.com- this is Marino Photography’s bid to offer stock images, video, paintings, sculptures, etc. to the world!  Like traditional stock agencies, you can come to TopStar, do a search for a specific keyword (go now and type in “Brooklyn Bridge”), and find images for your print, web, marketing project for a relatively low cost.  Unlike the traditional agencies…if you are an art lover, collector, looking to decorate your house, etc., TopStar provides the means to make professional high quality archival prints that will ship straight to your home for immediate “wall appeal”.  In addition, TopStar will showcase incredible exposure to the artists of the world and allow you to work our arrangements to get that art into your living quarters!  Check out www.topstarimages.com to see what I am talkng about.  By the end of August there will be a substantial collection of items that will allow you to find what you are looking for.  5 new members just signed up so I am overly anxious to see what work will be donning the website in a month or less.

AUGUST SPECIAL DEALS FROM MOI TO YOU – “FREE PHOTO SHOOT MONTH!”
As always, I am looking for you referrals!  There is no better way to take on a special assignment than to be referred from my friends, family, clients and colleagues.  It keeps the extended family growing and provides lasting emotional nostalgic memories for years to come.  So please refer me out and if your lead becomes a sale, you will immediately qualify for a free photo shoot!  If a free shoot does not float your boat, then we can discuss a free professionally print 11 x 14 landscape print!  How cool is that?  When you refer your contacts, tell them to mention that it was you that referred them!  Or just tell me yourself!  I want to make sure you “get yours

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Lots of text today- phew!  Next blog post will be pictures and 20 words tops!  Now that will be a challenge but you all deserve it!

Speak with you soon,
Dan

Each piece on display has a sub-theme “The Ocean”. Come and see some new work and some different perspectives in locations such as New York City, Boston, Montauk and Aruba.

I have some staples on display from my beloved Coney Island; as well as a couple of items on the auction wall that relate well.

I hope to see you there – my panel numbers are 148 and 182. The show opens Saturday, July 11 an will run for 5 weeks until Sunday, August 16 – weekends only 1PM – 6PM. Visit BWAC’s website for more details and directions.

The gallery is right off the Red Hook waterfront (across from Fairways and 2 blocks from IKEA) so you NYC dwellers can take the free IKEA water taxi while taking in some amazing scenic vistas of the Brookyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Statue of Liberty,NYC skyline, etc. There are even a couple of trolley cars off the waterfront that will catch your eye and bring you back to historic NYC – wouldn’t it be great to see those on the streets again (see Brooklyn City Sreetcar Company for more details on that)?

Perhaps you can couple you visit with a stop to IKEA, the famous dessert spot baked, the famous Steve’s Key Lime Pie, and/or to just take in some breathtaking scenic waterfront views (and bring your cameras!)

I hope to see you there one of these next 5 weekends – if our paths do not cross, then please reach and and tell me what you thought of my new works and the gallery in general – this is Brooklyn’s largest art gallery.

Something new I will be doing – a few weeks into the show, I will post my items on display online for sale – think virtual gallery!

- Dan