his name is ORAINE @ Soul Artist Mgmt.

These are images from my quick test shoot with supermodel Oraine Barrett represented by Soul Artist Mgmt. Their is really nothing to say except Oraine is a-mazzzzz-ing! Thanks Jason for sending him :).

Oraine is probably one of the nicest guys I have ever photographed. He has worked with some of the biggest legends in the business from Bruce Weber, Steven Meisel, and Steven Klein. He has appeared in amazingly controversial editorials featured in Vogue Italia, Vogue Japan, and Interview magazine. When I worked with Oraine, he made me feel like I was as important and legendary as the big name photographers he's accustom to working with.

(he's recently appeared in campaigns for Ralph Lauren and Phat Farm)

INSPIRATION: Jean Michel Basquiat

I love the paintings of Jean Michel Basquiat. I am more intrigued by his life story.

This is the trailer of the new documentary Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child. The film is directed by Tamra Davis and features never-before seen footage of the prolific artist painting, talking about his art, and existing in the two years prior to his death in 1988. check it out - its on Netflix

NEW FACE: MARCUS HAUGH @ MAJOR MODEL MGMT.

Marcus Haugh is the newest face to enter the roaster at  Major Model Mgmt. Booker Sanam Kelly hit me up requesting that I squeeze in some time for the newest, young face at Major. Expect big things from this African/ Norwegian cutie from California. ( yes...African, hehehehe!)

digitals - Marcus Haugh @ Major NY

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANNA SEE....

When I was a little kid in Memphis, TN, every year on the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr , my granny would take me and my little brother to the Lorraine Motel where he was assassinated as her way of paying respects to a man who made great sacrifices so that my generation could live as we do today. She wanted us to appreciate and respect the sacrifices people have made for us.

As I reflect on this day, I think about the sacrifices I have made personally so that I could be here in NYC working with the models of color. I get mad and frustrated and I do feel under-valued but I'm no quitter.  I hope that in the bigger scope of things, they will understand and appreciated what I am doing for them and reach out and help someone else- PAY IT FORWARD. I live everyday  being the change I want to see.

I'M LISTED AS ONE OF THE TOP 25 STYLE MAKERS of 2010

Thank everyone at www.amoirehomme.com for listing me as one of the top 25 style makers of 2010.

MUSES OF 2010

Many artists, writers, poets and musicians have said that their creative work has been inspired by an individual whom they refer to as their muse. A muse is someone who has such an influence on another that he or she becomes the focus and inspiration for that person's creative work. 2010 was a year of transition  for me and the following models inspired my creative work and my professional choices.  I cannot wait to see who 2011 brings to me to become my muses for 2011...

OMAR KENNEDY @ Next Miami/ Click

ISAMAR GONZALEZ @Rocket Garage Mgmt.

PIERRE WOODS @ New York Models

ROBERT EVANS @ Major Model Mgmt

ANTHONY WHITE @ Ford Models NYC

SHYLOH WILKERSON @ Identities Inc. NYC

RICHARD LIMA @ Ford NYC