Pete Seeger

Yesterday, I was able to check off a portrait on my Life List. For a very long time, I have wanted to photograph Pete Seeger, one of America's greatest heroes. Born in 1919, he has been at the forefront of the peace movement, the environmental movement, the civil rights movement, and equal rights. Not to mention, he is considered one of the fathers of the Folk Song revival and he wrote, or co-wrote, "Where have all the flowers gone," "Guantanamera," "Turn, turn, turn," and "If I had a hammer."

New York State's Working Families Party is celebrating its 10th Anniversary on September 18 and they asked me to videotape a message from Pete, who would not be able to attend. Of course, I would take still portraits as well.





I had planned on taking my father along with me on this shoot, for no reason particularly, other than I thought they would get along. Sadly, my father died before I could set it up. So, I took my son, Ethan, and poetically, it balanced perfectly since Ethan is a budding filmmaker.








His home in Dutchess County is up a steep gravel road and reminded me of the many handbuilt homes of my friends in the Catskills. In fact, Pete and I talked a while about the mistakes we each made building our own homes. His homesite had a sweeping view of the Hudson River and one comes away knowing why he has spent three decades championing the cleanup of the River.

Pete Seeger is approachable and calm, dignified and contemplative. He has remained true to his mission to make a difference in the world.





Dan Cantor, Pete Seeger, and Phil Cantor
September 15, 2008


WFP-A Message from Pete Seeger from Ethan Cantor on Vimeo.

Two Good Ones in a Row

My last two weddings were both at the Madison Hotel (I should have just booked a room!). On Saturday, July 12th, Jamie married Eric and on Sunday July 20, Stephanie married David. Despite being at the same venue each one was wonderfully unique.


Jamie and Eric had such a fun and interesting family-Eric's uncled married them- and it was such a treat photographing their energy.



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David and Stephanie's wedding had some incredible dancing, they can really move! It was a ton of fun, not to mention the Neil Diamond impersonator.

Alice Star Markham Cantor is Bat Mitzvah

Alice was Bat Mitzvahed this past Saturday at the Prospect Park Picnic House in Brooklyn. She was poised and practiced and gave a marvelous speech about the meaning of biblical Esther.

The ceremony was wonderful: over 30 family members and friends spoke or read poetry. Cantor Doug Cotler, a cousin of Alice's, officiated on the guitar and Alice charmed everyone, including Doug, with her amazing voice.



















-----------Oh yeah, Alice is this photographer's niece.

Sammy's Bar Mitzvah

Sammy Mellman's Bar Mitzvah is March 29, 2008. He is the son of musician Bob Mellman and artist Janice Belove. I first met Sammy, not in my role as photographer, but rather as a baseball umpire for the town of Montclair. Unfortunately, Sammy struck out the first time he came to bat when I was behind the plate. The next time he hit a double. Not bad!

Congratulations to Sammy and the Mellman family.

Giclée: the ultimate in wall portraits

I have added Giclée to the list of beautiful wall portraits that I offer and I want to take a moment to answer some questions about Giclée, which means "spray" in French.

What is distinctive about Giclée Printmaking?
My Giclée prints are extensively worked on to be more dramatic than a regular portrait. They can be in color, though, I often choose to convert them to a strong black and white. They are produced on heavy weight fine art papers which impart a rich look and feel that cannot be duplicated on standard resin-coated photographic papers.

Do Giclée Prints require any special care?
Just like any piece of fine art, they should be kept from direct sunlight, extreme heat or humidity. Classic gallery-style display, matted and glassed with a simple frame will provide protection with an elegant look. They may be hung without glass protection because we use DuraFiber, which provides a waterproof, scuff-free finish.

Why are Giclée prints more expensive than standard photo lab prints?
The Giclée process is time intensive and requires expensive museum quality paper and archival inks.

Matthew, Six Months Old

Matthew has been to the studio twice to have his portrait taken as part of my BABY COLLECTION series of portraits. He came with his mom Rebecca and his dad, seen here, also named Matt. \

What a wonderful personality this little guy has. I love this portrait...there is something so "disneyesque" about it...it is both cold and hot at the same time.

The talk in the wedding community is about the demise of Celebration Studios, one of the largest "factory" type wedding photography studios around. Their impending bankruptcy has left hundreds of brides without their proofs or albums or even, a photographer for their 2008 wedding.

The Montclair Times did an extensive story about Celebrations - http://www.montclairtimes.com/page.php?page=16603 - in which I am interviewed about how to avoid such an annoying outcome. I do think that all the 2007 brides will eventually get their pictures and all the 2008 brides will find a new photographer. Caveat Emptor.