International handbook launch “Constitution-making and Reform” by Jeffrey Holmes, New York event photographer.

May 27, 2012 by Jeffrey Holmes

Interpeace launched the handbook: ‘Constitution-making and reform: Options for the Process’ a comprehensive resource for national constitution-makers and their advisers in September, 2011. Interpeace engaged the services of New York event photographer, Jeffrey Holmes, to document the event and capture compelling images to showcase this premier event.

Over 150 new constitutions have been created since 1975, and as many as 20 national constitutions are reformed or adopted each year. Recent months and the ‘Arab Spring’ have proven that this development continues. Constitutional reforms have been, or are, on the agenda in Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Nepal, Southern Sudan, Zimbabwe and now Libya. Read more: The first of its kind – a constitution-making handbook for peace

Interpeace launches the handbook: 'Constitution-making and reform: Options for the Process' a comprehensive resource for national constitution-makers and their advisors. Scott M. Weber, Director-General of Interpeace. The book release took place at the United Nations on September 9, 2011 in New York. The event was photographed for Interpeace by Jeffrey Holmes, event photographer New York. (Jeffrey Holmes/JeffreyHolmes.com)

Scott M. Weber, Director-General of Interpeace(L) and H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss, President of the UN General Assembly (JeffreyHolmes.com)

A modern constitution needs to be legitimate in the eyes of the people, but achieving this is a challenge. Often national and international constitution-makers feel out in the cold as there has been no comprehensive resource on the options for constitution-making and reform. The design, implementation and management of these processes, in an inclusive way, create the foundations for lasting peace. The stakes are high. If the process goes wrong the seeds of future conflict and violence will be sown. Interpeace, an international peacebuilding organization, is now filling this critical gap. Download the complete handbook.

Mr. Graeme Simpson, Interpeace Director of Policy and Learning and Director of Interpeace USA.

Jeffrey Holmes photographed the launch held at the United Nations (UN) in New York, H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss, President of the UN General Assembly provided the opening remarks. His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan, Permanent Representative of Jordan to the UN and Chair of the Peace building Commission Country Configuration for Liberia, moderated a panel discussion. He was joined by Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Director of the Center for International Conflict Resolution, SIPA, and former Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations; Nicholas Haysom, Director of Political Affairs, Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General; Jamal Benomar, UN Special Adviser and Envoy for Yemen and former Director of the UN Rule of Law Unit; and Michele Brandt, co-author of ‘Constitution-making and Reform: Options for the Process’.

Four respected experts from the constitution-making domain, Michele Brandt, Director of Interpeace’s ‘Constitution-making for Peace’ initiative, Jill Cottrell, Yash Ghai, and Anthony Regan, united to create this ‘how to guide’ for constitution-makers around the world.

The handbook provides practical guidance on how to design transparent, nationally led and owned processes that are also participatory and inclusive.

“With the complexity of a constitution-making process come difficult choices. The handbook lays out the potential dilemmas and implications that practitioners on the ground may face,” explains Graeme Simpson, Director of Interpeace USA, Policy and Learning.

Simpson confirms how Interpeace has approached this initiative: “Much of the knowledge contained in the handbook simply did not

His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan, Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations and Chair of the Peace building Commission Country Configuration for Liberia. (JeffreyHolmes.com)

exist in publications.Experiences needed to be harnessed. We involved over 120 practitioners and experts with invaluable first hand field experience. We have captured what they have learnt. We’ve not focused on just one area but have taken a global view. Experience from over 100 countries fed into the process and of course there is the expertise of the four authors. This handbook has content for everyone.”

Interpeace launches the handbook: 'Constitution-making and Jean-Marie GuÃ©henno, Director of the Center for International Conflict Resolution, SIPA, and former Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations. The book release took place at the United Nations on September 9, 2011 in New York. The event was photographed for Interpeace by Jeffrey Holmes, event photographer New York. (Jeffrey Holmes/JeffreyHolmes.com)

Mr. Jean-Marie Guéhenno on panel at Interpeace launch of the handbook: ‘Constitution-making.

“Members of constituent assemblies or constitutional commissions, government officials, politicians, civil society, activists, donors, foreign advisors, policy analysts, academics, and international aid actors can all benefit. It captures the knowledge and weighs up the options so they can make up their own minds on what will work best for their society,” highlights Scott M. Weber, Director-General of Interpeace. Lakhdar Brahimi, who provided the foreword for the handbook, highlights: “I wish ‘Constitution-making and reform: options for the process’ had been available to the international community when I was the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan. This book asks the right questions.”

Interpeace has been enabling societies to build lasting peace since 1994.

Interpeace is an independent, international peace building organization and strategic partner of the United Nations.It were created by the United Nations in 1994. We became an independent organization in 2000 while maintaining a unique partnership with the UN. As a result, we operate either as an independent NGO or as a UN initiative.

H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss, President of the UN General Assembly. Interpeace launches the handbook: 'Constitution-making and reform: Options for the Process' a comprehensive resource for national constitution-makers and their advisors. The book release took place at the United Nations on September 9, 2011 in New York. The event was photographed for Interpeace by Jeffrey Holmes, event photographer New York. (Jeffrey Holmes/JeffreyHolmes.com)

H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss, President of the UN General Assembly.(JeffreyHolmes.com)

Interpeace is headquartered in Geneva (Switzerland) and has offices in Brussels (Belgium), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Nairobi (Kenya) and New York (USA).

The organization is governed by a Governing Council made up of prominent individuals from the government, international and business sectors. The Governing Council is chaired by the former President of Ghana, John A. Kufuor and includes seats for the personal representative for the UN Secretary-General and the Host Government, Switzerland.

Through the Advisory Council we bring together governments, multilateral and UN agencies, and experts to analyze the latest in peace building trends. The Secretariat is led by Scott Weber, Director-General and a dedicated staff from around the world.

Michele Brandt, co-author of ‘Constitution-making and reform: Options for the Process.(JeffreyHolmes.com)

The three main bodies of Interpeace, the Governing Council, Advisory Council and the Secretariat, provide the necessary support to over 300 peace builders in the field. Consisting exclusively of people from the societies in which we are active, our local teams lead the programmes on the ground.

Interpeace’s Work

Their approach contributes to building lasting peace through inclusive and nationally-led processes of change. The added value is the tested approach in strengthening capacities within societies to manage conflict without resorting to violence or coercion. Peace building must be led and owned from within a society so they work exclusively with national teams in countries across Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe and the Middle East.

In 2010, Interpeace was supporting initiatives in 16 countries and territories, four of which are implemented through our United Nations arm, the Joint Programme Unit for United Nations/Interpeace. They support initiatives in: Burundi, Cyprus, Central America regional program on youth, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Liberia, Palestine, Rwanda, Somali Region, Timor-Leste.

A thematic program covering Constitution Making for Peace, a handbook on options for making and reforming constitutions. They combine local peace building knowledge with the latest in international thinking to assist the international community, including the United Nations, to play a more effective role in supporting peace building efforts around the world.

Interpeace Finances and Support

They are a non-profit organization. Peace building work is funded by generous voluntary contributions from governments, multilateral organizations, foundations and private individuals. 16 donor governments and multilateral organizations work through the Donor Committee.

2010 expenditures of US $ 23 million reflects the growing demand for our support and expertise from governments, civil society, donor countries, UN agencies and other international organizations.2010 financial reports were, for the second year, in accordance with the highest financial reporting standard – IFRS. In 2010 they also received ZEWO certification from the Swiss charity evaluator. This demonstrates the Interpeace focus.

Nolcha Fasion Week 2012 New York wows the fashion world.

February 13, 2012 by Jeffrey Holmes

Inspiring designs graced the runway of Nolcha Fashion Week 2012 New York. The Housewives of New York taped portions for an upcoming episode highlighting Fashion Week.

Jeffrey Holmes Photogaphy, a noted New York Corporate Event photographer. “The key was to find compelling angles to add to the artful images.

, Designer showing this year include: Vassilis Zoulias, Jetset collective by Farasha, Megla M, Teresa Rosati, Carlos Luna, Baruni, Rebeca Tiago, Antonia Paris, Riza Manalo, Castro-Rojas, Danilo Gabrielli, and Seckin Ilker.

The shows were celebrated at YOTEL in New York with an after party where the female quartet, JADA, performed.

NOLCHA Fashion Week 2012 NYC. New York’s Leading Showcase for Independent Fashion. Nolcha Fashion Week is a leading award winning event for independent fashion designers to showcase

Creating artful images of NOLCHA Fashion Week 2012 NYC. captured by Jeffrey Holmes, www.JeffreyHolmes.com

their collections to a global audience of press, retailers, stylists and industry influencers. Over the past five years Nolcha Fashion Week has established itself as a platform of discovery promoting innovative fashion designers through runway shows and exhibition during New York Fashion Week. Nolcha fashion week is officially listed with Mercedes Benz as the two recognized Fashion Weeks by New York City Economic Development Corporation; offering a range of cost effective options to increase designers recognition and develop their business. The successful collaborative showcase has been featured in Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Lucky, NBC, MTV and Forbes

London Fischer selects Corporate Photographer New York, Jeffrey Holmes, for their group photograph.

December 5, 2011 by Jeffrey Holmes

A group portrait of the London Fischer Law Firm by Jeffrey Holmes, Portrait photographer New York.

London Fischer Law firm selects Jeffrey Holmes, New York Portrait Photographer for Leading Attorneys Portrait.

The London Fischer Law Firm, located in New York’s Financial District, called upon New York corporate photographer, Jeffrey Holmes to create a new firm group portrait. The portrait is to be used for a magazine article about outstanding lawyers in the U.S. The best location was the courtyard in front of the building.

I used a single Quantum T5d flash head powered by a Quantum Turbo 2×2 battery. I do love these strobes for location shoots. After a couple of Photoshop head swaps, the firm approved the image and it was on to publication.

London Fischer LLP is an international leader in the concentrated disciplines of insurance and related litigation. Clients include many of the world’s largest corporations and most prestigious insurance groups. Over the years, the Firm has been involved in the most significant litigation affecting the insurance industry and those other specialized industries in which we concentrate.

They have a national practice includes insurance coverage, and specialized litigation pertinent to all areas of primary and excess insurance and reinsurance. Practice groups specialize in litigation affecting the following industries and disciplines: Construction and Real Estate; Directors and Officers Liability; Employment Practices Liability; Marine Cargo and Hull Interests; Mold, Toxic Tort and Environmental Liabilities; Municipal Liability; Product Liability; Professional Liability; Property Losses; Subrogation; Transportation Liabilities

London Fischer maintains a National Trial and Appellate Practice. They are geographically positioned to handle matters throughout the United States. Offices in New York City, Irvine, California and New Jersey.

Tesla Showroom opening celebrates with Green Energy event in New York by Jeffrey Holmes, Event Photographer New York

November 10, 2011 by Jeffrey Holmes

Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Transportation Transformation Series: Opening Reception at Tesla Showroom in New York by Event Photographer New York Jeffrey Holmes Photography.

This exciting series was presented by MCC’s Green Business Committee, MCC’s Tech and Innovation Committee and E3NYC at Tesla Motors New York, 511 West 25th Street, New York, NY on May 11, 2011. The event was photographed by event photographer New York’s Jeffrey Holmes Photography. Jeffrey has served as the MCC photographer for the past 10 years. This event offered a picture perfect show room. Great branding, incredible cars and interesting speakers.

Michael Sexton, Tesla Motors addresses guests at the MCC Transportation Transformation Series: Opening Reception at Tesla Showroom held May 11, 2011 at Tesla Motors New York, 511 West 25th Street, New York. This exciting series was presented by MCC's Green Business Committee, MCC's Tech and Innovation Committee and E3NYC. The MCC offers the business community a variety of perspectives of the direction of clean transportation in New York and beyond. The Tesla Roadster is the world's only automobile that offers supercar performance without supercar emissions. Engineered for performance and efficiency, it accelerates from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds, delivering 295 lbs-ft. of torque without using a drop of gasoline. The Roadster travels 245 miles on a single charge and plugs into nearly any outlet in the world - allowing for uncompromised electric driving. The event was sponsored by Con Edison Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs for sponsoring the MCC Green Business Committee for 2011. (Jeffrey Holmes/JeffreyHolmes.com)

Michael Sexton, Tesla Motors addresses guests at the MCC Transportation Transformation Series: Opening Reception at Tesla Showroom. (Jeffrey Holmes/JeffreyHolmes.com)

The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce offers the business community a variety of perspectives of the direction of clean transportation in New York and beyond. They will explore specific modes such as electric vehicles, carshare (electric and not), bikeshare, water ferry and other innovative modes. They also looked at opportunities generated by new clean transit centers, and examined the opportunities all of this offers both local business and the local economy. The series began with a reception at Tesla Motors New York showroom. Guests were invited to learn about these game-changing concepts that will very soon be redefining transportation and meet the people at the forefront of the clean transportation movement.

Willem Houck, ParkPod speaking at MCC Transportation Transformation Series: Opening Reception at Tesla Showroom held May 11, 2011 at Tesla Motors New York. (Jeffrey Holmes/JeffreyHolmes.com)

The Tesla Roadster is the world’s only automobile that offers super-car performance without super-car emissions. Engineered for performance and efficiency, it accelerates from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds, delivering 295 lbs-ft. of torque without using a drop of gasoline. The Roadster travels 245 miles on a single charge and plugs into nearly any outlet in the world – allowing for uncompromisable electric driving.

The event was sponsored by Con Edison Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs for sponsoring the MCC Green Business Committee for 2011. For more information on how you can earn cash rebates and incentives for your buildings’ energy efficiency upgrades, contact the Con Edison Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Program office at (877) 797-6347 or visit their website www.conEd.com/energysavings.

For further information about the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce (MCC) or the MCC Green Business Committee, please contact: Laura Bucko, Vice President/Director of Communications, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. 212-473-7875 or www.manhattancc.org or www.manhattanccgreen.org. Established in 1920!

Institutional Investors’s Africa Investment Forum Event Photographer

November 6, 2011 by Jeffrey Holmes

African dignitaries and investment leaders came together at Institutional Investor's Africa Investment Forum held April 11-12, 2011 at the Metropolitan Club in New York. (Jeffrey Holmes/JeffreyHolmes.com)

Event Photographer in New York, Jeffrey Holmes was Institutional Investor’s choice to photograph the Africa Investment Forum as it has for their international forums since 2004. This long standing relationship demonstrates the confidence they have in his ability to consistently get the images Institutional Investor Events needs for promotional and media release purposes. This assignment was particularly challenging as it was held in the West Room of the Metropolitan Club, New York. While it is a gorgeously rich room featuring a stunning ceiling mural. This is a very dark venue. Added to the challenge was the dark skin tones. Limited light includes 4 windows on the west wall and only eight dimly lighted wall sconces. Generally stage lighting is provided by 2 spots for video recording. The wide f-stop range between stage and audience called upon all of Jeffrey’s talents in order to make great event photography. His camera of choice is the Canon 5D Mark2 with its minimum noise at higher ISO setting and 1Ds Mark2 for its 8 frames per second capture rate.

The event was eye opening as to the future of the continent. Africa is making significant strides in focusing global investors’ interest on the opportunities there. Africa’s new vision of its future highlights the potential that can be found in these nations while addressing many of the obstacles that have hindered foreign investment in the past. This long-term, comprehensive strategy for increasing foreign investments means applying the lessons learned and building on the comparative strengths of the region’s markets and key sectors. In response to these steps forward as well as significantly increased interest among US institutions, Institutional Investor’s Africa Investment Conference is the premier, Africa-focused event in the US in 2011. With the theme, The Gateway to Opportunity, the event embodied Africa’s vision for sustained economic development driven by targeted, informed foreign investment. The Conference was the ideal forum for the necessary exchange of information among senior decision-makers from the region’s governmental and regulatory authorities, executives from Africa’s leading corporations, and the US institutional investors who are interested in learning more about the opportunities in Africa. The Africa Investment Conference supplied investors with the macro information they require about governmental, regulatory, and economic policies coupled with intensive examinations of key sector initiatives, including: Capital markets and banking developments; Tax and legal reforms; Monetary and fiscal policies; Infrastructure public-private partnerships; and Project and leverage financing opportunities in oil and gas, telecoms, transportation, tourism, health services, metals/mining, agribusiness, renewable energy, and power.

This years program included presentations from key government officials and regulators, panel discussions among corporate executives and large US investors, and case studies focusing on some of the region’s more notable achievements. The event photography of Jeffrey Holmes is included in this post with more images available in the Institutional Investor Africa Investment Forum gallery.

Institutional Investor 9th Annual Hedge Fund Awards by Event Photographer New York Jeffrey Holmes

September 14, 2011 by Jeffrey Holmes

Institutional Investor's 9th Annual Hedge Fund Industry Awards Dinner held at Cipriani Wall Street. (Jeffrey Holmes/JeffreyHolmes.com)

Institutional Investor magazine’s 9th Annual Hedge Fund Industry Awards, recognizes the hedge funds, funds of hedge funds and industry associated investment consultants, endowments, and foundations. They are presented these awards for their innovation, achievements and contributions to the Hedge Fund industry in the past year of 2010.

The event was photographed for Institutional Investor by Jeffrey Holmes, a premier event photographer New York. Institutional Investor has relied upon Mr. Holmes photography services for the past 6 years. “He captures the story of the event. Jeffrey always works the branding of the sponsors into images. We get the shots we need for press and PR as well as promotional materials for next years event. That is why we have use Jeffrey Holmes Photography for all of our awards dinners.”

Award nominees were honored and winners were announced and awarded at a dinner and awards ceremony at the Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The event emcee was David Faber, CNBC

Institutional Investor's 9th Annual Hedge Fund Industry Awards Dinner held at Cipriani Wall Street. (Jeffrey Holmes/JeffreyHolmes.com)

Anchor and Reporter (and Institutional Investor alumni). An Emmy, Peabody, Dupont, Loeb award winner and New York Times bestselling author, David Faber is host of CNBC’s “The Strategy Session” (M-F, 12PM ET). Faber is also an anchor and co-producer of CNBC’s acclaimed original documentaries and long-form programming as well as a contributor to CNBC’s Squawk on the Street.

Bruce Kovner, Founder and Chairman, Caxton Associates was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jeffrey Scott, Chief Investment Officer, Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. was the Outstanding Contribution Award Recipient:

Here are Hedge Fund Management Award Categories & Nominees

Institutional Hedge Fund Firm of the Year
Appaloosa Management -WINNER, BlackRock, Bridgewater Associates , CQS , Paulson & Co.

Emerging Hedge Fund Firm of the Year
Hutchin Hill Capital -WINNER, Astenbeck Capital Management, Grant Capital Partners, Senrigan Capital Group, Stelliam Investment Management

Credit-Focused Hedge Fund Firm of the Year
Fortress Investment Group -WINNER, Appaloosa Management, Centerbridge Partners,
Marathon Asset Management, VR Capital Group

Equity-Focused Hedge Fund Firm of the Year
Glenview Capital Management -WINNER, NorthStar Capital Funds, Omega Advisors, SAC Capital Advisors, Visium Asset Management

Event-Driven Hedge Fund Firm of the Year
Third Point -WINNER, Paulson & Co., Perry Capital, Pershing Square Capital, Management, ValueAct Capital

Macro-Focused Hedge Fund Firm of the Year
Bridgewater Associates -WINNER, AQR Capital Management, BlueCrest Capital, Management, BlueGold Capital Management, BTG Pactual

Multistrategy Hedge Fund Firm of the Year
Millennium Management -WINNER, Carlson Capital, Hudson Bay Capital Management, Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, Whitebox Advisors

Relative Value Hedge Fund Firm of the Year
Capula Investment Management -WINNER, BlueMountain Capital Management, Lazard Asset Management, Saba Capital Management, Structured Portfolio Management

Large Fund of Hedge Funds Firm of the Year
Prisma Capital Partners -WINNER, Blackstone Group, J.P. Morgan Alternative Asset Management, Edmond de Rothschild Holding SA, SkyBridge Capital

Small Fund of Hedge Funds Firm of the Year
PineBridge Investments -WINNER, Dorchester Capital Advisors, Magnitude Capital, Signet Group, Van Biema Value Partners

Hedge Fund Seeder Firm of the Year
Blackstone Group -WINNER, FRM Capital Advisors, PioneerPath Capital, Protégé Partners, Tiger Management Corp.

Large Corporate Plan of the Year
Boeing Co. -WINNER, AT&T Investment Management Corp., General Motors Asset Management Corp., Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co.

Small Corporate Plan of the Year
International Paper Co. -WINNER, Alcoa, Cargill, Royal Bank of Canada

Large Endowment or Foundation of the Year
University of Texas Investment Management Co. -WINNER, DUMAC, KAUST Investment Management Co., Ohio State University

Small Endowment or Foundation of the Year
Cook Children’s Health Care System -WINNER, Museum of Modern Art, New York University School of Law, Vassar College

Large Public Plan of the Year
Teacher Retirement System of Texas -WINNER, California Public Employees’ Retirement System, Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri, Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System

Small Public Plan of the Year
San Diego County Employees Retirement Association -WINNER, Public Safety Personnel Retirement System of the State of Arizona, Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System, San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association

Family Office of the Year
Mount Vernon Investments -WINNER, Cooper Family Office, Fuqua Capital Corp., Willett Advisors

Hedge Fund Consultant of the Year
James Mnookin, Cambridge Associates -WINNER, Stephen Nesbitt, Cliffwater, John Shearman, Albourne America, James Vos, Aksia

BEF’s photo coverage of UnitedHealthcare Empire Challenge 2011 by Corporate Photographer Jeffrey Holmes New York.

September 3, 2011 by Jeffrey Holmes

: BEF United Healthcare Empire Challenge at Hofstra University on June 21,2011. (Jeffrey Holmes)

This past summer’s annual Empire Challenge continued for the 5th year to enlist Jeffrey Holmes Photography as the lead event photographer for Boomer Esiason’s annual dual between the High School All-Stars of New York City versus Long Island students. The event starts off with an All-U-Can-Eat Tailgate Party sponsored by Outback Steakhouse for a fabulous buffet! This family-oriented event includes an expo and fun activities prior to the game, a raffle and, of course, the evening highlight is the Empire Challenge football game pitting the best of New York City and Long Island.

While not the everyday sports photographer, I do have the experience of photographing a wide variety of events. A very versatile photographer in New York City. I most enjoy capturing the fun on the food swollen faces of the children. Their thrill on the slides.

: BEF United Healthcare Empire Challenge at Hofstra University on June 21,2011. (Jeffrey Holmes)

The annual United Healthcare Empire Challenge highlights the brightest football talent from New York City and Long Island in support of the Boomer Esiason Foundation and youth football in the New York metro area. It’s held at James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University.

United Healthcare Empire Challenge 2011

06/21/2011 In a thrilling contest that pitted the best high school football players from Long Island against their counterparts from New York City, the Long Islanders earned a 17-14 victory in the 16th Annual United Healthcare Empire Challenge All-Star Game. Read the full story here.

Check out a slideshow from the event below.

BEF Empire Challenge 2011 Gallery – Images by Jeffrey Holmes

What: 16th Annual United Healthcare Empire Challenge

When: June 21, 2011

Where: James M. Shuart Stadium, Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.

More Information: www.EmpireChallenge.com

Brooke Moreland of Fashism.com for La Presse of Canada

August 3, 2011 by Jeffrey Holmes

Brooke Moreland, Co-founder and CEO of Fashism.com with her team in their startup space located within General Assembly shared offices in New York. Brooke Moreland (Co-Founder) created Fashism.com after walking out of the dressing room looking for her husband's opinion and found an empty couch. She thought, "There must be a way to get an unbiased opinion using that internet everyone is talking about." Thus, Fashism.com was born. (Jeffrey Holmes/JeffreyHolmes.com)

Brooke Moreland of Fashism.com in her shared space office at General Assembly in New York.

Brooke Moreland is Co-Founder and CEO of Fashism.com.Brooke had an “ah-ha” moment when after walking out of the dressing room at Uniqlo in SoHo, looking for her husband’s opinion on a vest, she found an empty couch. And asking the sales clerk, would only result in a biased positive response. She thought to herself, “There must be a way to get an unbiased opinion using that internet everyone is talking about.” She co-founded Fashism with Ashley Granata in September of 2009. The subscriber base is over 40,000 online users and 50,000 phone app users. It allows the subscriber to sidestep fashion faux-pas by allowing other subscribers to post their opinions. Take a photo with your cellphone, email it to the site, and you receive feedback from other subscribers. Since people already do this anyway, sending photos while in stores to friends for their opinions. Fashism seeks to create a fashion-conscious community to advise you on your clothing decisions in real-time. Brooke says, “What fuels the site is our universal need to tell people what we think, we don’t just want opinions, we want to share ours. “I’m not professing to be a fashion expert and neither are most people who use it,” said Brooke Moreland, who was a 29 year old freelance video editor in Brooklyn. Brooke also writes a popular fashion column on theGloss.com called “Fashion 101″.

Fashism.com is all about fashion!

The editorial portrait was photographed at the shared office space, General Assembly. Portrait photographer Jeffrey Holmes is a noted and published corporate photographer. After assessing the space, he used the ambient light as the base lighting and then illuminated Brooke with one Quantum T5d head powered by a Turbo 2×2 battery. The focus was on Brooke but he also wanted to showed the concept of a lean start-up using the communal space concept. The second images was a “fashion” style image with a tech flair.

The location, General Assembly is communal office space provider in Union Square. The 16,000 square foot space provides an environment for start-ups and coworkers to meet, create and work. The center is outfitted with stylish furniture, conference rooms, lockers and a kitchen. Its already attracted a presence from a number of start-ups in the art and fashion industry and can also host events such as launch parties. The space is an alternative to the traditionally high overhead incurred when renting office space. Co-working and other movements aim to provide a work environment that includes networking and communal projects

Steelcase 360 Discussion: Preparing tomorrow’s leaders for the fast paced interconnected business world.

July 19, 2011 by Jeffrey Holmes

How does education prepare tomorrow’s leaders for this fast paced interconnected business world?

Roger Martin, Daniel Pink and Jim Keane discussed how education prepares tomorrow’s leaders for this fast paced interconnected business world in a Live Steelcase 360 Discussion: Educating the Creative Leaders of Tomorrow. The New York location of the event was photographed by corporate photographer Jeffrey Holmes.

Coming out of the recent recession, problems are more complex, markets are more volatile and change is more rapid. Education must keep pace. So how can educators prepare students to lead in today’s interconnected world? Steelcase brought together three of the most influential thinkers on management and education to discuss this topic in its live, virtual panel discussion: Educating the Creative Leaders of Tomorrow.

Steelcase 360 Degree Discussion Educating the Creative Leaders of Tomorrow photographed by Jeffrey Holmes, New York corporate photographer.

Reena Jaana and Jim Keane during the Steelcase 360 Degree Discussion of Educating the Creative Leaders of Tomorrow.

Moderated by Reena Jana, an innovation expert and journalist, the Steelcase 360 Discussion explored how education can be redefined to better prepare tomorrow’s creative leaders. Moreover, the panel sought to identify the critical skills needed to achieve success as a business leader and how education will need to adapt. Joining the discussion were Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School of Management; Daniel Pink, bestselling author on the changing world of work and Jim Keane, President of Steelcase.

“Given the recent recession, the rapid pace of change, and the complexity of an interconnected world, the skills that today’s students need to lead are far different from what we are used to,” said Keane. “Educators must keep pace with these global business changes to prepare students.”

While Jana joined Keane in the Steelcase showroom in New York City to host the panel, Martin and Pink participated via high-definition videoconferencing from Toronto and Washington D.C., respectively, using Steelcase’s mediascape with HD videoconferencing technology. With mediascape with HD Videoconferencing, panelists can view each other, present and share content seamlessly during the discussion.

About the Panelists

Roger Martin is dean of University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, as well as a professor of strategic management as well as the author of The Design of Business. A Canadian from Wallenstein, Ontario, Roger was formerly a director of Monitor Company, a global strategy consulting firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Daniel H. Pink is the author of four provocative books about the changing world of work — including the New York Times bestsellers, A Whole New Mind and Drive. His articles on business and technology appear in many publications, including the New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company and Wired, where he is a contributing editor.

Jim Keane, Steelcase President photographed by Jeffrey Holmes, Corporate Photographer New York.

Jim Keane, President of Steelcase, during a Steelcase 360 Degree Discussion: Educating the Creative Leaders of Tomorrow.

Jim Keane is president of the Steelcase brand of Steelcase Inc. Named to this role in October 2006, Jim oversees the sales, marketing and product development activities of the Steelcase, Turnstone, PolyVision and Details brands.

Reena Jana, former Innovation Department Editor for BusinessWeek moderates Steelcase 360 Degree Discussion on Educating the Creative Leaders of Tomorrow.

Reena Jana is the former Innovation Department editor for BusinessWeek. Currently, Reena is a freelance writer for national publications (including the New York Times, Harvard Business Review and Wired) specializing in the intersection of emerging technologies and culture.

Steelcase helps create great experiences wherever work happens. Ther brands offer a comprehensive portfolio of workplace furnishings, products and services, inspired by nearly 100 years of insight gained serving the world’s leading organizations. Steelcase is globally accessible through a network of channels, including over 650 dealers. They design for social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Steelcase is a global, publicly traded company leading our industry with fiscal 2010 revenue of approximately $2.3 billion.

Chris Dixon and George Duverger of HUNCH.com corporate portrait for LaPresse in Montreal, Canada

May 13, 2011 by Jeffrey Holmes

LaPresse published photo of Hunch by Jeffrey Holmes, corporate portrait photographer New York

Published photo of Hunch in LaPresse by Jeffrey Holmes, corporate portrait photographer New York

The assignment from LaPresse, a french newspaper and web organization in Montreal, requested a corporate portrait in an environmental style for a feature article on the New York web development scene. The assignment was to photograph Chris Dixon and George Duverger of Hunch in their New York office. Upon arrival, I was first taken with the music playing throughout the space. For a moment I thought I had misplaced my Ipod because what I heard was classic rock. This was a bit out of place for a band of 20 and 30 something web techs! Chris remarked somethin of the effect of, “It all comes around sooner or later.”

I scouted the location for the best setups and then went to work assembling my lighting. Grids and Grid boxes are my favorite lighting modifier. As I toured their offices, the Hunch logo on the wall and the work area of the programmers struck my interest as the best setups.

Georges Duverger, designer/developer and Chis Dixon, co-founder of Hunch at theri offices in New York. Hunch helps web users make and discover great recommendations that are customized to their tastes.

Here is the final image selected for publication. Click on it and you can see the best of the entire portrait assignment from this corporate photographer in New York.

Translated and adapted from an article in LaPresse, Montreal, Canada.

Frenchman, Georges Duverger worked for a few years in Montreal then felt the call to find a new horizon. He contemplated Silicon Valley, Toronto… He finally decided finally upon New York, which accomodated with the beginning of the year. He now works for the Hunch.com web site.

It was a good web developer environment. It had access to an Internet site that helped it to be integrated into the technological scene of the city. Adoptahacker.com (literally: “adopt a pirate”) was created for people who come to work in the metropolis. “Impassioned members of the community open their house with the talented technophiles” which come “to taste” the technological scene of New York. Georges Duverger found a place there, where to live at the time of its first days in the city, then a friend to make known to him the various events intended for the community techno. It also unearthed a joint tenant there. “I like much of the city, says as he sat at the bar of the Ace Hotel. A place which gathers all that New York counts of technological workers. Culturally, I feel more close to New York than California.”

One can say that while settling in New York, he gained the first prize. He works today with a “band of engineers of MIT” sheparded by Chris Dixon, a contractor and well-known investor in his field. “The team around Hunch is extraordinary,” he says. I learn more quickly than I would learn in Montreal. For the first time of my life, I have an owner who is able to push to the maximum.” It’s owner, Chris Dixon, which he praises of young the 26 year old developer. He recruited as if he were still in Montreal.

“He is an excellent programmer who has a good sense of the design. It is rare to have both”, he says. He admits that he pains more and more to find developers of talent in New York. “We all are in competition for the best.” He is not the only one to complain about the shortage of manpower. Brooke Moreland, who launched her site, Fashism, two years ago has the same sentiment.