LGBT Solidarity Rally
(Originally published for The Minnie Kinney Blog On Saturday February 2, 2017)
In New York City, New Yorkers rallied at The Stonewall Inn in solidarity with immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. The rally was held to support any and all human beings impacted by Donald Trump's un-American executive orders. Several leaders and public figures spoke out against Trump's selection of the his cabinet , arguably the most anti-LGBT nominees in modern history.
Temperatures sank to the low 20s, making attendance a challenge. But there is something to be said for several thousand New Yorkers continuing to show up despite freezing temperature and high winds. I was not able to arrive until after 2:00 PM and therefore not able to get close to the podium. However, I captured some of my favorite protest signs and interactions from my 5 foot tall vantage point.
These are my photographs of the day.
All images ©Michelle Kinney Photography /Minnie Kinney LLC
(Click on images to enlarge and scroll.)
That Time We Visited the United States Capitol Building
(Originally published for The Minnie Kinney Blog February 3, 2017)
In September 2016, my husband and I took a trip to Washington D.C. to visit my sister in law. Joe, my husband, lived in D.C. for the first year we were together so it was great to be back and say a hello to a city that I love so much and called my second home. We even considered making Washington D.C. our permanent home in late 2013, but alas here we are in New York City forever!
Fast forward to today. It's February 2017 and I am sitting at my laptop typing this up while I watch the news. I'm finally getting around to sharing these images that I took just a little over four months ago. It feels like it's been a year since then.
So much has changed in this country since the day I took these photographs. Not only between November and January, but specifically in the last two weeks. Tomorrow will be Day 14 of the new administration in the White House and every day feels like a chaotic tornado with no end in sight.
I am a progressive and I am politically active in my community. But I am also a business owner and I am struggling how to navigate. How do I balance my work, life, and opinions as a concerned citizen and as artist during such an important and scary time in our nation's history? "I can't keep quiet." It's early still in this new era of uncertainty, so for now I will continue to show up, take photographs, stand up for what I believe to be right, and tell the stories of the world around me.
Rewind to September 2016. It was scorchingly hot the weekend we traveled to Washington. I have always been a history buff and political junkie. Growing up wanting to perhaps be a political operative, but decided to go to school for acting so I could play one in the movies. Ended up doing neither. Always fascinated by the historic buildings of Washington D.C., I have had a few experiences on my bucket list. The United States Capitol Building, The Supreme Court, and The White House.
Luckily, I got to cross off two with thanks to Republican Senator Dean Heller and his wonderful staffers!
Our good friend Victoria works for Senator Heller and set up the tour of a lifetime for us. Ian the Intern took us on a personalized venture through United States Capitol Building, and even treated us to the infamous underground Senate Subway! Ian the Intern was a wealth of knowledge and I am so grateful to him for his time and patience. I still feel a little bad that I wore my Hillary Clinton campaign hat to the office, but I made sure to take it off as soon as I got there. Senator Heller was not supportive of the Republican Presidential candidate, so I felt it was safe to at least have it in my bag.
I wish I'd taken more notes, but alas the U.S. Capitol website has lots of great info to review that I will cite here!
Take a trip down memory lane to a time when the reality of the First Woman President of the United States seemed like it was just around the corner.
All images © Michelle Kinney / Minnie Kinney LLC
Our Visit to the U.S. Capitol Building
Thank you again to Ian the Intern, Victoria, and Senator Dean Heller for a day we will never ever forget. Your generosity and hospitality will always be greatly appreciated.
#NoBanNoWall
(Originally published for The Minnie Kinney Blog on January 30, 2017)
On Saturday January 28, 2017, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order for a 7-nation ban and refugee suspension in the United States.
Within 24 hours, the citizens of New York City organized to meet at 2:00 PM Sunday January 29, 2017 at Battery Park.
Between the Statue Liberty and the shadows of the World Trade Center, we protested, we rallied, and we marched.
These are my photographs of the day.
(Click on images to enlarge and scroll.)
Whitney + Scott : A Gramercy Park Marriage Proposal
(Originally published for The Minnie Kinney Blog December 29, 2016)
Whitney Conkling is one of my favorite people. Not only is she a great friend, she's always game when I need a model to stand in and show off one of my new vintage wardrobe pieces or test some amazing light in the park.
So when one of her best friends Josh called me to help Whitney's boyfriend pop the question, I was on board in a New York minute! I had to help come up with a master plan. Whitney was overseas for work, so I texted her that I needed some help on a project. Some couples/engagement type photos for my portfolio to show a possible media client. All fiction, of course.
The place : Gramercy Park. One of New York City's last surviving private parks. Perfection. For part one, I directed them with some classic engagement photo poses and tricks. As we approached the north side of Gramercy Park, I was forced to flex my BFA acting skills to round third base. "I'll be right back, I'm going to go slip the doorman at Gramercy Hotel a $20 and see if he'll let me in the park." I feel pretty confident Whitney wasn't buying it, but alas. The plan had been worked out ahead of time and they knew to expect me -- Whitney's family was staying in the hotel. The photos speak for themselves -- enjoy!