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

THOSE PINK SHOES.... : FULL TIME FABULOUS W/ JINNA BOO

from left to right: Javon Drake, Jinna Boo, Me ( I look like I just got out of jail), and Pierre Woods

Jinna Boo, One of the finalist for the Sunglass Hut blogger competition was on set documenting my photoshoot with top model and my good friend Pierre Woods @ New York Models. Pierre invited fashion editor of AMMO Magazine, Javon Drake to style the shoot.

Jenna compiled a teaser video of clips she took during the shoot, from the styling process to the actual shoot.

Behind the Scenes with Pierre Woods I Teaser from Jinna Boo on Vimeo.

We shot in various spots in Pierre's apartment building. Pierre and Jenna are neighbors. I chose to use available light in the building because it was too cold and I didn't feel like dragging my strobes and shit from Brooklyn to New Jersey by myself. This also gave me an opportunity to try a lighting situation I hadn't done in a long time.

I loved the vibe and energy of the entire day. The shoot was full of fall menswear fashion, gorgeously colored wardrobe, goofing around, and of course, amazing sunglasses! Jinna was fun and very cute. I like working with stylist like Javon who can put looks together and make them seem effortless and expensive. Everything looked like something Pierre would really wear...except those pink shoes ( i loved them and if I was a typical South Memphis hoodlum, I would have them on right now, lol)

(i lovvvvved those shoes)

Check out  Jinna Boo's blog for more about the shoot and other fashion info (its really good) - http://jinna.fulltimefabulous.com/

pictorial: HOME ALONE feat. RICHARD LIMA @ FORD NYC

model: Richard Lima - @richardlima1

ph. Tarrice Love - @bytarricelove

styling: Rick ??

grooming Andrea Wilson - @andreaewilson

Amongst the things i do with this blog is take ppl behind the scenes as well as inside my mind  to understand how I create my images.

This particular photoshoot started with a phone call from model Richard Lima @ Ford models asking me to shoot this idea of him hanging out in the bachelor pad of his friend Rick. They wanted to capture Richard like he was chilling at home alone. I have worked with Richard a few times before and we hit it off great and I met Rick before to discuss the possibility of us collaborating on a project and we hit it off as well. 

Richard suggested that this would be a great opportunity for me to work with Rick and an amazing wardrobe stylist and hair and makeup they felt I should be collaborating with. I was excited about working with these people. They all are very talented and this could definitely bring something new to my work. In the past, I haven't had the best experiences with wardrobe, makeup, and hair people. I was hoping this was my opportunity to finally start collaborating with other artistic talents so I could take this photography thing to the next level.

 I packed my camera and lighting equipment and got on the train from Brooklyn and headed to Manhattan in the freezing cold. I don't like traveling at night because I'm legally blind and I can't see very well but this was a great opportunity and I wasn't going to let my visual impairment prevent me from working with some amazing new people.

I arrived and instantly realized the apartment was much smaller than it appeared in the reference pictures that Rick had emailed me but it was nice....colorfully decorated and interesting. I immediately started trying to figure out how I was going to photograph Richard casually relaxing in this very small apartment. The hair/ makeup artist arrived  and I almost died. It was Andrea E Wilson. She is amazing and has worked with all my favorite supermodels including Veronica Webb. She was hella cool and funny. She was as anxious to get started as I was. She asked me what did I wanted her to do Richard's salt and pepper gray hair. I really had no idea what to do with his hair but I told her the scenario for the shoot  and  left it open for her to use her judgement. She took him in the bathroom  and when they came came out he looked amazing. I don't know what she had done to him but he looked much better than he had  before she worked her magic. 

The wardrobe stylist had arrived. He saw Richard's hair and didn't like it. He wanted to do something different from the way Richard always looked and told Andrea he want his hair to be slicked down, with a part on the side, and a swirly swoop-thing in the front... in a nerd chic kind of way. She explained to him that Richard has very thick, curly hair and she was going to have to straighten his hair and put lots of product in it to make it do all of that ... but she could do it. He told her to do it. I was sitting there lost and confused and trying to understand the direction the stylist wanted to go with this shoot. This un-naturally, nerdy idea on a mature, manly Spanish guy wasn't registering in my mind. I decided not to say anything and remain open minded and allow for the magic to happen.

She must have channeled her wonder woman skills because they came out of the  bathroom and Richard was standing their with the hair the stylist had requested. The buzzer rang. The door opened and their was rising supermodel Jourdan Dunn. She came to the shoot to meet up Andrea. Andrea was going to do something to her hair for some event. Now I am really nervous. Jourdan is one of my favorite models. I even have her Vogue Italia cover  - still wrapped in plastic. She sat in chair out of the way  while we prepared to shoot. Richard put on his first look  and before we got started the stylist wanted to smoke a cigarette. He went outside. While we were waiting for him to return Richards hair started to resist the style....he has ethnic hair  and unless its chemically altered, it will "fight back". Andrea was fixing his hair and looked up and asked me did I like the hair. Without thinking, I said what was honstly on my mind. "I hate it. He looks rediculous." She smiled and asked me what did I want. I told her  I liked it the way she had done it at first. She rubbed her fingers through it and started to fix it back like it was. The stylist walked through the door and looked at Richard and asked what was going on. Andrea told him that the photographer didn't  like the hair so she was changing it back. He was obviously pissed. He made it very clear that he didn't want Richard's hair to be styled  in its natural state. He started putting on his coat  and said that since I wasn't feeling his ideas he was going to leave. I told him I was fine with whatever kind of hair and she could fix it back in the swirly swoop thing. I didn't want him to leave. I wanted everyone to be happy but that wasn't going to happen. It was too late - he was mad. He touched Richard on the shoulder and told him " we'll talk later. I'll find another photographer who appreciates my vision." He left.

I wanted to die. Andrea, Richard, Rick, and  Jourdan were looking at me. I was embarrassed. Andrea explained to me that within her 20 years in the business the photographer has the final word that its ultimately his show and that I should get it together and tell them what to do. Truthfully  i wanted to pack my shit and run out of their. I was feeling like like crap and doubting myself. Why does this keep happening to me. Why can't I seem to get along with people in this business, especially stylist?  I committed to doing this project so I shook it off, got myself together Andrea fixed his hair and I told Rick that he was now the stylist and he put the looks together and we finished the shoot. Like my momma always say, "One monkey don't stop the show..."

model: Richard Lima - @richardlima1

ph. Tarrice Love - @bytarricelove

styling: Rick ??

grooming Andrea Wilson - @andreaewilson

After I went home, I realized that this wasn't about me. I didn't do anything wrong. What people haveta understand is collaboration comes with disagreements until agreements are made. It clearly wasn't a collaboration on the stylist part. As soon as his idea was challenged he got mad and quit.  It was like a child being mad because the other kids don't wanna play like he wanna play. I was disappointed that the stylist walked out - especially since he never really tried to bring all of us on his page and understand the direction he wanted to go with this shoot. This isn't the first time this has happened and I am sure it won't be the last. This was a failed networking opportunity but it really wasn't. If he is the type of person to storm out on a photoshoot the minute his ideas are challenged, then this was the wrong type of person for me to be collaborating with in the first place. It was a good thing that this happened now and not later on a major shoot.

People tell me all the time I should be more compromising . I think I am compromising  but when it starts to feel like surrendering, I have a problem with that. I refuse to be treated like a "nigga with a camera." I am an artist first....with opinions and Ideas. I come to the table open for suggestions and leave room for others to express their ideas. Andrea was right, it is my show. As the photographer , it is my job to make sure the finish product is a success. The photographer takes all the blame when things go wrong. If I  don't understand something its impossible for me to capture it at its best.

Overall I am happy with the images from this shoot  and thought I would share my experience so my viewers can understand why don't have a team yet. 

WHEN I CHOKE MY BROTHER....featuring THE HARRIS TWINS

Alex & Andrew Harris - The Harris Twins (photographed by Tarrice Love)

Makeup and Styling by Tarrice Love

"When I choke my brother, I am choking myself" was a quote scribbled amongst many words in a Basquait painting I saw in the documentary A Radiant Child. It inspired the images in this post  featuring Alex and Andrew Harris know as The Harris Twins. In honor of World AIDS Day and the anniversary of the historic arrest of Civil Rights Revolutionary Rosa Parks, I thought I was perfect timing to show these images.

I also included this song called Liberation by Outkast featuring Ceelo and Erykah Badu because I think it vividly expresses what we (brothers and sisters ) are doing to each other.....

Alex & Andrew Harris - The Harris Twins (photographed by Tarrice Love)

Makeup and Styling by Tarrice Love

BLACK SNAKE MOAN by Idle Warship feat. IBRAHIM BAAITH @ RED MODELS NYC

I love this group - Idle Warship. Its a trio composed of rapper Talib Kwele, singer Res, and Graph Nobel. Res and model Ibrahim Baaith were at one time the campaign faces of urban clothing line Ecko. Ibrahim makes a appearance in their video Black Snake Moan. I love this song...its heavily rotated in my ipod playlist.

I remember before I moved toNY  I had Res and Ibrahim's Ecko ads on my wall and me and my friends use to watch his promo video when he was with Q models. He ended the video by walking and doing a Michael Jackson spin and dance move. I thought he had so much personality. I was so hyped when he signed to Red models and they asked me polish up his look. I feel special knowing it was my images that set to tone for his reinvention.

SOMETHING ABOUT MARY: introducing MARY FRENCH

Mary French is not a model. she is a sound engineer who just wanted some nice photos of herself.

Mary French (photographed by Tarrice Love)

styled by Me - Tarrice Love

hair & makeup by Mary French

assisted by Kris D'Olivier

note: I styled her myself - with some vintage things I bought mixed with her own dresses.

The coolest thing was topping her red dress with my red sleeping bag as a evening coat.

I really enjoyed working with Mary. Coming from Memphis, I was use to working with body types  that are fuller than the size 0-2 that models here in new york are usually. I actually was glad to have a woman with a "real" body in front of my camera. 

Mary French (photographed by Tarrice Love)

styled by Me - Tarrice Love

hair & makeup by Mary French

assisted by Kris D'Olivier

introducing CARL ANTHONY AGAPIT @ Re:Quest NYC/ Natalie Men Paris

Carl Anthony Agapit photographed by Tarrice Love

I had the opportunity to work with newcomer Carl Anthony Agapit who is currently represented by Re:Quest Model Mgmt. in NYC and Natalie in Paris. Carl is currently one of the faces in the United Colors of Bennetton campaign. He is has an extremely beautiful face and his body is slender but cut.

Carl Anthony Agapit featured in United Colors of Bennetton campaign Spring 2010

Carl Anthony Agapit (photographed by Tarrice Love)

styling by MacGuyver

Carl Anthony Agapit photographed by Tarrice Love

Carl is from the island of Martinique and speaks fluent French. His English was very broken and it was new for me to work with a model i had a hard time speaking to because i love to talk, lol. Despite the language barrier, he took direction well and we was able to create some hot shit. I really enjoyed working with Carl and I can't wait to see more of him editorially and commercially.

Carl Anthony and photographer Tarrice Love

Carl Anthony Agapit photographed by Tarrice Love

RIHANNA'S RUDE BOY - BRANDON HARTLEY @ Wilhelmina LA

Brandon Hartley (photographed by Tarrice Love)

styling by MacGuyver

With a balance mix of masculinity and POW and a set of cheekbones that are razor sharp Brandon Hartley is one to watch. Brandon is based in Los Angeles and represented by Wihelmina LA. He hit me up during the summer thru facebook when he was going to be in NYC seeking representation. He has an amazing energy with a sick body. Check him out getting his grind on with popstar Rihanna in her rude boy video.

Brandon Hartley (photographed by Tarrice Love)

styling by MacGuyver

I totally enjoyed working with Brandon during his stay in NY and looking forward to collaborating with him more in the future.

me and brandon hartley

Brandon Hartley (photographed by Tarrice Love)

styling by MacGuyver

ONE MORE THING: 2 thumbs up to Brandon for having really nice feet. These guys coming from the west coast are making these NY fellas look bad from the ankles down.

... CAN WE UNITE AGAIN?

after listening to the latest leak from Niki Minaj entitled Roman's Revenge feat. Eminem just disappointed me. I think  Ms. Minaj is very talented and definitely at the top of her game. I think it was rather lame and unnecessary to do a diss record eve of her album release, especially against another fellow female mcee... another black female.
We are apart of an era when people believe it is "customary" to tear each other down in order to shine. I am just so tired of watching us cut each other's throats for crumbs while the real owners of media and entertainment reap the benefits. I just wanted people to see that it is possible to shine brighter and stronger...together.


featuring Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, MC Lyte, Left Eye, Nefertiti, Petra, and Me' shell Ndegeocello

I just wanted people remember when the female mcees came together and did music promoting sisterhood, unity and support for each other. Check out when sista mcees use to support each other.


Brandy featuring Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, and MC Lyte



Lil Kim featuring Angie Martinez, Missy Elliott, and Left-Eye


This is what we need again....