There is a vibrant energy in Lorraine’s eyes that you feel the moment you meet her.

Perhaps it is that spark that allows her well-trained eye to capture such amazing moments of solace, celebration and beauty in her photography as she has for the last twenty years documenting the wonders of Fire Island.

On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon in Cherry Grove, Lorraine Michels signed copies of her most recent book entitled The Invasion of The Pines, 40 years of Fun, Frolic and Fantasy.

In a world where we run around constantly snapping shots with our iPhone, rarely do they ever actually get seen or appreciated, because these snapshots often disappear into the invisible library of our digitalized memories.

For this reason, it is still so important that we have tangible evidence to share with others and possibly inspire or educate through the moments that have brought us to where we are today.

Which is why Lorraine’s book is more than a collection of photographs.

She has captured the drama of drag, the passion of performance and the electricity of the Invasion, while also putting together a comprehensive history of the event.

With Panzi at her side, Lorraine beamed with pride as she signed books and shared personal stories of Invasions past.

 

The crowd mingled with homecoming queens (past and present) like Demi Tasse and China, as they noshed on a selection of savory treats, provided by Lorraine’s spouse Joan Van Ness, which helped to create a laidback and cool environment.

Flipping through the pages of Lorraine’s book, you are guided along a glossy and glamorous road of the glittering past, starting with the very first Invasion of the Pines in 1976, bringing you all the way to this year’s stunning spectacle.

The process of narrowing down all the photos from the over-the-top elegance of each year of the Invasion to just a few shots must have been grueling, and we can see in the stunning pages that incredible thought and effort went into launching this collection.

Lorraine’s passion for documenting the sights and sensations of Fire Island has given us another critical addition to any coffee table book collection, but it has also provided us with a vital visual encyclopedia of the Invasion of the Pines.