MICHAEL THE MAYOR. SPONTANEOUS PORTRAITS BY KATHIE AUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHY.

When you have four seconds to take a portrait of a man who you could probably photograph for four hours . . . you think quickly and focus.

Focus is what he has. Michael Newhard’s contributions as the Mayor of Village of Warwick for the past 16 has is a long list of accomplishments that have helped preserve the village lifestyle many appreciate, and which attracts many tourists to the Hudson Valley area. Putting all his Mayoral responsibilities aside, as a photographer he visually fascinates me. His beard, his glasses, his demeanor, his style. I’ve heard him speak often at our Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meetings and he is quite eloquent, creative, experienced, capable and confident.

Michael is a long-time Warwick resident and in his previous life he studied in France for three years, has lived and worked in New York City while employed with B. Altman & Co. and Henri Bendel as a window dresser. Today we enjoy his creative talents in many ways, including his paintings and the window dressings of Newhard’s which is Warwick’s premiere source for home decor and more, a store Michael started 32 years ago with his two sisters which is situated right smack in the middle of the historic Village’s Main Street.