Sunday, October 26, 2008

Me & Darrell Walden Jr on 26th st.


I wanted to shoot an editorial submission with model Darrell Walden Jr @ (time of posting) Fusion Models NYC. Every stylist I called or emailed passed on the opportunity. Despite the fact that Darrell was fresh off the runways of Paris, Milan, and NYC for Armani, Louis Vuitton, and DKNY, stylist were straight up with me when they said they didn't need to work with a black guy right now. I was so frustrated that I emailed my assistant to cancel the shoot. Then I said "fuck it, imma gone knock this out myself." I went to my closet and started pulling things together. When Darrell arrived prompt and ready....I made him try on the looks to make sure the looks worked. After that We hopped on the A train and headed to 26th street.
me and darrell eatting at BBQ's
...Darrell is currently represented by Next Model Mgmt nyc

It was cold as hell. I made him change on the street. lol . Darrell started tearing up but he was a trooper not really complaining. I had a great time....After working up a serious appetite, I decided to take his skinny ass to BBQ's. We ate enough to get niggaitis on the train back to the house. Then I did a underwear story with natural light in the empty room in my apartment.


I am proud of the images we shot... the work is very different from my usual stuff and i am very happy to experiment with techniques and styling. I hope the pics help spruce up his book.

darrell walden jr @ next model mgmt. nyc

Monday, October 13, 2008

introducing Deric Mickens @ Silver Models



I found Deric Mickens on modelmayhem a few months ago. When he flew into NYC from some small town in Ohio with his little duffle bag and a dream of making this modeling happen. lol Almost instantly he started booking little jobs that that paid him enough to make NYC his new home. As fast as he got here he was snatched up by Adam @ Silver Models.

Deric Mickens @ Silver Models photographed and styled by Me

Deric is a great guy to work with. I love his energy and his confidence. he has an great face that appeals to everyone and a body thats top notch. He is one of those guys that seem to catch on really fast to how to give to the camera. Most just stand in front of it not doing anything. I look forward to seeing big things continue to happen for Deric.


introducing writer Lamar Ariel


http://readytomale.com/index.html

author Lamar Ariel

I was recently commisioned to shoot the photos for writer Lamar Ariel. His latest book , Ready To Male, is a collection of letters that explore male sexuality. Lamar was very nice to work with... he created an atmosphere that was comfortable and relaxing. I felt comfortable and relaxed so thats how i shot him. I shot him in his apartment. I used mostly natural light to give this soft relaxed feeling . I wanted the viewer ofthe images to feel as comfortable as I felt.




I'll tell you one thing tho...that cab ride from bedstuy to 168th wasn't playing no games on my wallet. I almost passed out when dude told me " that'll be $41 dollars". from now on imma include transportation in my rate. lol

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Shooting Pierre Woods@ New York Models for UPTOWN Magazine


all images are un-retouched.....

Me and my my boy Pierre Woods of New York Models served it hard ...this time for Uptown Magazine. The luxury lifestyle magazine is working on a feature story about Pierre Woods and Pierre chose me as the photographer to capture him and the style team of Kelly Browning,who is manager advertising stylist for Polo Ralph Lauren and her assistant Randal Jacobs. Model Brandon Parker was the style prepper. Crystal Clark was the groomer who made Pierre look flawless. Photographer/ publisher of Suavv Magazine Mike Letterlough was my assistant for this project.

We shot part of the shoot in Brooklyn near my neighborhood and the rest in the amazing loft of vintage collector Ali. When I walked in and saw the Italian version movie poster of Gordon Park's The Learning Tree, I thought I was in heaven. That was the first movie i saw on cable tv when i was a kid, lol.


advertising stylist manager for Polo Ralph Lauren Kelly Browning assisted by Randal Jacobs

The set of images were to capture the lifestyle of a Brooklyn gentleman with education and heritage. Kelly and Randal did an outstanding job of coming up with looks that mirrored a succesful black man who loved clothes. They were able to take looks from the Ralph Lauren brand and marry them with vintage pieces. Everything looked amazing. Crystal made retouching unnecessary with her ability to make Pierre more perfect than he already is. He style of doing make matches my style of shooting. Its simple and light...she don't make men look like dragqueens.
I am very honored to have met Kelly and Randal and having the opportunity to work with them was a cool learning experience. I learned a lot about styling and the importance to detail.... these are some of the best images i have taken since i been in nyc...I am soooo proud of them

 


groomer Crystal Clark photo assistant by Mike Letterlough
thank you mike - i couldn't have pulled this off without your help....

yep, thats me with my babygurl, Canon Rebel xti- I named her Veronica after my favorite supermodel, y'all can call her Miss Webb, lol

I am so happy that Pierre went to bat for me to have this opportunity, thank you soooooo much.. His agency had the opportunity to chose a more known photographer to shoot this and Pierre made sure my name was thrown into the hat. It is great to know that some of the people I work with value my friendship and hold my photographic contributions with the same respect that they give some of my more famous counterparts.
As soon as it comes out you guys will be the first to see the final images......

ps.
Gotta give Pieerre his props for being able to slide them size 12 feet into size 8 shoes... with no complaints...bravo, pimpin, bravo!!! LMAO