Founder & Staff

Christopher Dwight Mejia London, Esq.Gregory Partanio,
Founder& Editor-in-ChiefPhotography Editor, Lead Photographer
ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.come-mail: PrinceGregory@manhattansociety.com tel:718.614.7740
web: www.societyimages.comweb: www.societyimages.com
 
Sheepshead Bay High School, 1980Boston University, B.A., Economics with High Honors, 1984University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1987New York City based lawyer, activist, writer and founder of ManhattanSociety.com, a 501 (c) (3) conduit; a free press vehicle for essential New York Arts & Charity. Consigliere by day, society diarist, webmaster and photographer by night. His coverage of the New York charitable scene has appeared regularly in a host of significant publications, including Avenue, Panache Privee,Quest, New York Social Diary, Palm Beach Society, Hamptons Magazine, Gotham Magazine, Town & Country,and the Newport Mercury. In addition, Mr. London’s legal, social and society commentary has been featured in the pages of Absolute Magazine, Forbes Magazine, MONEY Magazine, New York Magazine, NY Times Fashion & Style,  Tia Walker’s The Quest for “it” blog as well as E! Entertainment Television (Forbes 20 Billionaire Heiresses YoungFabulous and Incredibly Rich). Christopher’s photography appears along side his own editorial in the “Manhattan Society Report” which appears monthly in Social Life Magazine & formerly in PRESTIGE Magazine (Asia: 5 countries).  His work can also be viewed at www.societyimages.comInterests:  Changing the way that people look at the disenfranchised in NYC. Supporting the marketing, public relations and fundraising challenges faced by charities providing essential and transitional services to New Yorkers without a safety net.Legitimate journalists have consulted with him for his perspective on a range of subjects, some of which for London has received a fair amount of Press. New York journalists/writers who have sought him out include Amy Sohn, Vanessa Grigoriadis, Warren St. John, Rachel Kramer Bussel and Choire Sicha among others.“Prince Gregory” is Manhattan Society.com’s principal/resident photographer and a regularly contributing photographer to Prestige Magazine, Social Life Magazine, Panache Privee and former contributor to New York Family Magazine. Gregory can often be found behind the scenes at some of New York City’s most important charitable events and fundraisers. Adept at covering intimate gatherings, Gregory has a particular interest in family events & portraiture photography.  Gregory’s unique photographic style of coverage of the New York/Hamptons charitable scene has also appeared in a host of significant publications, including Avenue, Quest, New York Social Diary, Hamptons & Gotham Magazine as well as Hamptons.com  among others. Gregory loves people and it shows in his work. More than a photographer Gregory is a social artist, uniquely skilled at catching people at their best.  Gregory’s style is not paparazzi like but rather permission based, whether taking photos of Rudy Giuliani, Michael Bloomberg, Ethan Hawke, Russell Simmons, Donald Trump, Curtis Sliwa, Amanda Hearst or other politicos and socialites. He enjoys meeting and getting to know you, and will NEVER embarrass you or catch you looking less than your very best.  Gregory, aka “the Prince of the City”, is an earnest, humble but deliberate craftsman who mingles with Manhattan’s elite while patiently waiting and angling for the perfect shots, shots that make the powerful comfortable and respectful of his efforts while capturing the inherent beauty of the most sophisticated events. Few photographers combine Gregory’s technical proficiency with his artistic and creative abilities and unique disarming persona. Simply put, once the Prince has you on his radar screen, you will want him on your speed dial in your blackberry. Gregory’s clients whether institutions or individuals become his friends. Gregory is trusted to maintain the privacy of his clients and has shot in some of the most elite venues and exclusive private residences in New York City, the Hamptons, Aspen and Greenwich. In fact, many of his clients do not seek press but seek beautiful memories of their private events which never land on the pages of any magazine. You can also see some of Gregory’s most recent work at www.societyimages.org and reach him directly at 718.614.7740
Karen Zieff, Contributing PhotographerSteve Mack, Contributing Photographer
web: www.zieffphoto.comweb: www.sdmackpictures.com
e-mail: zieffphoto@aol.come-mail: steve@sdmackpictures.com
toll free at 888.353.4248cell: 917-202-4358
Events SpecialistCelebrity Events, Red Carpet Specialist
Karen’s artistic, photojournalistic and fashion background give her event photographs a very compelling perspective.  Fine Arts trained, Karen attended RISD.  She has exhibited in gallery’s internationally, photographed for magazines, corporations and advertising, but now focuses her talents primarily on portraiture and event photography.  “It’s my favorite”, she says, “I prefer to record what’s happening and reflect the energy of the people, rather than direct them – observe their interaction and create structure from chaos – capture the emotion. You really get some surprising moments if you look closely….and the photos really accentuate it.” Karen’s favorite subject is weddings.  Most photographers shy away from it, but Karen loves the energy, emotion, and the fact that she’s helping create part of a family’s history. “The pictures are important to people, and they live with them on a daily basis… It also reminds them of moments and emotions from a very special time” she states.  But Karen’s not the only one who thinks so.  Many clients and magazines agree.  NY Magazine notes that it’s the sincerity and emotion that sets Karen’s work apart.  Quest Magazine has ranked her as one of the top five event photographers in NY for the past two years, and The Knot, Elegant Bride, and Islands Wedding and Honeymoon regularly feature her work in print and on line.  You can see some of her work on her website at www.Zieffphoto.com  – or call to make an appointment, locally at 718.852.1884 or toll free at 888.353.4248.  Karen’s available for travelSteve Mack is a Photojournalist specializing in entertainment photography and Society Disc Jockey based in New York City. Steve is the official Celebrity Photographer for ManhattanSociety.com and also a Contributor to FilmMagic / GettyImages in New York. Clients include (NYC-TV) City of New York Television, The (NFCR) National Foundation for Cancer Research, The (IAEA) International Atomic Energy Agency and serves as the official photographer for The Queens County Dental Society (QCDS). At the age of 10, taught by his uncle, a professional news photographer, Steve Mack began taking pictures professionally of crime and accident scenes for his father and prominent Criminal Defense Attorney, Ruben H. Mack (associated with the firm of Stevens, Hinds & White, PC). Professional event coverage included photos at numerous charity functions for The New York Chapter of the Barrister’s Wives, chaired by Steve’s mother and former Board of Ed School Teacher, Learline B. Mack.  Steve has been shooting for over 38 years, specializing in music, red carpet and special events. Steve’s photos have been published in numerous newspapers and magazines, domestic and international, including Billboard Magazine, Rolling Stone Magazine, The Globe, Street News, The Amsterdam News, US Weekly, OK Magazine, In Touch, People Magazine, The New York Post UK Vogue Magazine and The Daily News to name a few.  Steve is experienced in various niches of assignment photography, such as head-shots, environmental portraits, group portraits, feature stories, CD covers, magazine covers, special events, architecture, industrial shots, product stills and breaking news.
  
Barbara Sklar, Assignment PhotographerLarisa Fuchs, Assignment Photographer
web: www.barbarasklar.comweb: www.insight2.com
e-mail: studioandstage@aol.come-mail: larisa@insight2.com
  
Fashion & Entertainment Photographer & Cinematographer (www.barbarasklar.com): Specializing in Celebrity, Designer, and VIP Event Coverage as well as documenting the private and public stories of her clients for books, movies, internet, etc. Studios: Saddle River, New Jersey, New York and Fort Lauderdale, Florida In her spare time, you can find her “relaxing”, combining her skills of photography and fine art as she creates captivating works of art. Her diverse artwork is slated for exhibition in Summer of 2006. Ms Sklar is an entre-preneur that will accept opportunity as the golden ticket. She is also the director of Studio and Stage Productions,LLC a special events company in Northern NJ that covers the tri-state area as well as many East Coast events.   Larisa is the founder and multi-tasking creative force behind insight photo | graphic, a boutique company providing graphic design, photography, event planning and promotion services to a host of clients in the arts and entertainment industry (event and production companies, artists, designers, musicians). She designs and co-authors Gemini and Scorpio’s Fabulous Guide to Online Dating, a website and series of infamous offbeat, creative singles (and non-singles) events, which she also organizes. She is also an independent Events Planner for various companies as well as a Promotions Manager for EventMe.com, a premier event marketing service in New York and major cities around the country.
  
 While experienced in traditional, photojournalistic events coverage, Larisa specializes in unposed, intimate shots created without use of flash (using available/theatrical light), such as concerts, performances, fashion shows, low-light parties, etc. Her fearless and chameleon nature has led her from Renaissance Faires to fetish clubs to off-off-off Broadway shows to political protests to wild Carnival celebrations to black tie charity events; from New York to San Francisco to Texas to Italy to Israel to Croatia. Her dramatic imagery has been a favorite on official websites for musicians and lighting designers. Larisa’s personal photo work favors live shows and travel photography, again creating dramatic, almost abstract, imagery using available light.