Louse Point
At Louse Point in the Springs neighborhood of East Hampton where the air practically sparkles, we meet for an end of the day swim. As women do when we feel safe with each other, we let our guards down as we share about our lives.
We acknowledge challenges and congratulate ourselves. For Ms. Newman, this entails doing what she loves -- photography -- when everyone and their brother or mother thinks they might have talent; she stands apart and has 'it' in my eyes.
To boot, Ms. Newman has a mellifluous British accent which makes me feel anything is possible. That she is also a dear friend of a dear friend, makes meeting someone new even sweeter.
Mutual friend, Gina Consoli Koper
Ms. Newman is in good company where game changing artists have called home. My favorite painters spent productive time here: Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner, Jackson Pollack (Krasner's husband) and Willem de Kooning.
Add to the list living painter, Gerson Leiber where you can see his work as well as his wife Judith's purses on display in the museum on the grounds of their home free to the public.
Ms. Newman "keeps it local now," but the East End of Long Island started out as her place to unplug from Manhattan. For five years in the 1990s she booked photo studios at the Puck Building. A residence now, it once was legendary in SoHo, where the likes of Annie Leibovitz and Steven Meisel took some of their best shots. 
Mermaids, Gin Beach, Montauk
Immersed in an environment among great talents was Ms. Newman's post graduate education. She had trained earlier in fine art and printmaking at St. Martins School of Art in London.
During her time at the Puck Building, Ms. Newman launched her own photography career. For the next 10 years she took the show on the road in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT), upping the ante in terms of wedding photography.
Wedding, South Hampton, NY
Her mandate developed, "to make it gorgeous and keep it candid, perfect in the moment." Ms. Newman stakes claim to having changed the trend in wedding photography from the staid and posed to the photojournalistic and editorial style.
She has shot about a 1000 weddings; the biggest budget she has seen was $300,000. Her rate hovered around $10,000. It was good money for good work doing one or more weddings per week, not having to rely on an art director for assignments.
Spending weekends in the Hamptons, often working, unable to attend her own families' and friends' gatherings, eventually this lifestyle grew stale.
Though deeply in love today, "I started when my divorce was new. It was sometimes challenging to see others so happy and hopeful, but it was also uplifting and inspiring. Many a time, tears were misting my eyes behind the camera, while witnessing and recording the joy of the bride, the pride of the parents and the devotion of the new husband. My family is close but far away."
Gin Beach Wedding, Montauk
"When 9/11 happened, lots of weddings were canceled. There was no work, so I invested my money and time in making the full transition from film to digital. It was becoming a must for anyone shooting professionally. I taught myself and embraced the technology on a need to know basis. I took a leap and got into debt for this."
She continues, "Since digital photography has become established, thousands of people entered the field, many offering their services and cut-rate prices. But photography is about knowing the light whatever equipment you are using and successful wedding photography requires serious experience."
In the last 5 years she's cut down on covering large weddings. "It's a young person's job. The equipment is heavy. Many clients required shooting in multiple locations on the day. Everything is a rush on the wedding day, and you can never do a reshoot. Whatever the conditions, sink or swim."
Children, Atlantic Beach
"It was a great proving ground for all kinds of photography, managing the unexpected and being able to produce to a beautiful photo whatever the lighting conditions. Decision making on the spot hones skills. The wedding day schedule does not pause or stop for anyone."
Photography, she says, is all about the light. "Worse than the rain, my worst enemy is bright light. I like a bit of shade."
Ms. Newman has about 10 regular clients. Often the focus of her work now is to keep a visual record of the children over the years. She is most interested in being left alone with kids so they are free to be themselves and relaxed. "I try to gently tell the parents to step back, if they become fretful and nervous. We will stop for snacks if we need to."
Child, Lake Montauk, NY
"I love this work with children best at the end of day just before sunset. If we go earlier it's in the dunes. A lot of time we're on the beach. Ticks in the forest in the summer is a problem. Winter is in studio"
Ms. Newman's' new passion is the Mermaid Project, photos of children and women at the beach. "It's a personal project of mine and is produced in fits and starts." Mermaid shoots have been on hold for a while.
"My dear friend, Jeff Tandy, (a prop maker for movies in his earlier years) and I would go out to the beach the day before and make the seaweed wig and skirts for the next day." With Mr. Tandy's sudden death in October 2014, Ms. Newman currently has her eye out for another collaborator. 
King Autumn, East Hampton
"I also take photos of people in nature through the seasons and seasons of life like a calendar. Visual seasons of life and pagan in nature. Some (sitters) volunteer."
Another passion Ms. Newman is proud of she calls, "Women of a Certain Age." How old, I ask her? "You know it," she jokes.
In 2012, she opened her studio pro bono twice that year. Word of mouth brought her the assignment to shoot the album cover for Maria Bacardi's, 'Deseo,' along with other professional portrait jobs.
Maria Bacardi, album cover
The 'women' project is ongoing, mainly spread by personal recommendation. Ms. Newman adds, "I'm a woman of a certain age. I cringe at the thought of being on the other side of the camera."
Barbara
"A gorgeous portrait of yourself, it could lifts your spirits. You look at it and it can dispel those creeping fears we all have regarding out personal appearance as we age. You see it and see how fabulous you really are." Ms. Newman also notes a portrait has uses in social media and professional venues.
How does she do it? As a party in her studio or in the house and grounds of a client. "Women come with a group of their friends. I tell them to bring a small selection of clothes and some kind of beautiful wrap.
With a little wine and hors d'oeuvres to loosen things up, they become each other's stylists. I provide the make-up artist. Fun for all, and everyone ends up with a photo of themselves, showing their true beauty."
As a local photographer in what is really a small town with an international mystique, Ms. Newman has taken varied assignments including product, food and interiors. Christine still shoots weddings but likes to keep it in the Hamptons, small and exquisite (e.g. fifty people in the back yard with a laid back vibe).
Babyhampton, Amagansett
She admits she does need to earn a living, even as she's scaling back. Her goal is to, "Keep it mellow. Life (like a wedding) is about families, close friends and enjoying each other."
"I'm happy I took a leap of faith and made the decision to move to this area from New York City...I'm grateful that I have been in charge of my own schedule for all these years."
No children of her own, Ms. Newman is nearby for a niece in college at Princeton. "My vacation time twice a year is spent in the UK visiting my adorable family, especially my aging but still feisty mother."
We talk over the phone to finish our conversation, "It's brilliant then that I can take a 'staycation' anytime I want. I'm off for a sunset swim now! It all comes down to experiences, don't you think?" Ms. Newman asks me. "Yes," I agree.
Gerard Point, East Hampton
All photos courtesy of Christine Newman.