Help Aaron!

Aaron this past summer.
Aaron, me and Cousin Kate!

My dear cousin Aaron Brisbois of Seattle, Washington is battling cancer and I am auctioning off some photography services to help!

Here's the deal: Aaron, who just turned 39, has Stage IV bladder cancer that has spread to his liver and lungs. He is starting radiation within a week to help ease the pain but he had to give up his job as a massage therapist to help himself recover full-time. He's uninsured but being treated by the University of Washington Medical Center. He is seeking assistance and disability but frankly this will take a while to kick in and he needs money for living expenses - tout de suite!

Want to help?

I have three ways you can get involved:

1) Bid on a Fabulous Photography Session from me - two will be auctioned off! Each session is 1 hour for either a personal portrait or family photo - just in time for the holidays! I'll photograph kids, a family, a couple, or portrait! Hey, even a pet portrait! Want a great photo for online dating? I'll do that too! Just get engaged? I'll document it! Check out my website if you haven't seen my work: http://www.lilykesselman.com

Opening Bid: $10

Images will be included on a DVD and you can choose 1 8x12 color or black & white print! This session is for personal use only - no commercial work! The session can take place in New York City! If you live outside New York, email me with regards to travel.

The winner of the auction will send the money to Aaron via PayPal directly.

2) Send any donation to him directly: www.friendsofaaron.wordpress.com There is a way to donate via PayPal.   The email address is: donations4aaron@gmail.com Any amount will be appreciated. I'm sending this to all my friends so if everyone sends $5 - 10 it adds up! If you want to skip paypal and send a check or note send it to Aaron Brisbois, 1643 South Weller Street Apt. B, Seattle, WA 98144.

3) Keep Aaron in your prayers (free!!). Send your good thoughts his way.

If you know someone who might want a photo session or you think might want to help go ahead and send them a link!  I do not wish to intrude and I totally understand if people just can't help financially. I love my cousin and am doing this to help him and raise some money to cover his living expenses. He's a fabulous guy and is so appreciative of all the love and support he has received thus far.

Thank you so much for reading this and helping if you can. The auction will end at noon EST on Friday, November 14th. I will post auction bids as often as possible. I don't have any real auction bidding tools on my blog so just email me your bid or add it as a comment with your contact information and I'll post the highest two bids each day!

Some Recent Faves

I shot an event for The Smithsonian on Thursday at The Mandarin Oriental. I was thrilled to photograph Chuck Close and Bill Cunningham - (one of my favorite photographers ever!) stopped by to cover the event. I loved catching him in action! Here's a few of the details!!!

Chuck Close

The Scene

Bill in action!

Lovely and Amazing

I was asked to photograph the Young Women's Leadership Academy in East Harlem.  It is an amazing school focusing on college prep and all the girls who graduated last year went to college!  Shoot Digital generously donated all the lighting and grip equipment for the entire day!  They even gave us these groovy Shoot Digital "Extra Love" t-shirts featuring Hector.  Thanks Shoot Digital and thanks to Lori to scored a great donation!  Congratulations to all the seniors - they did a great job and it was a fun day!  Here are some "behind the scenes" shots.  Hmm, maybe we should have our own reality TV show!!!

Lori styling the cap & gown.

Extra Love!
The girls liked seeing their photos instantly!!
That's me, in action.

Meeting Alice Waters

So I photographed The Children's Aid Society's Next Generation Catering Company that catered World Hunger Year's launch of a Call to Action to end the food crisis. There were some amazing chefs and writers there including one of my favorites - Alice Waters - proprietor of Chez Panisse in my old hometown, Berkeley, CA.

Here's a quote from the CAS website: Teens at Children’s Aid’s new Next Generation Center in the Bronx are participating in nutrition and cooking classes and have begun a catering company that produces delicious and healthful foods for Children’s Aid events and those outside the organization. This entrepreneurial venture is teaching youth in a neighborhood with little access to fresh and healthful foods how to cook with the highest quality ingredients."

The food was amazing and they had a list of the farms where the food came from.  I don't usually eat when I am working but the kids wanted me to try some things - amazing! So anyone needing a great caterer - call them!

The legendary Alice Waters photographing the food.



Two future superstar-chefs!
There was quite a long line for the food!
The Next Generation Catering Crew.