HENRY WATKINS featured on VOGUE ITALIA WEBSITE

I woke up this morning  and went to the Vogue Italia website to see who was the featured black model in the Vogue Black section edited by the iconic Bethann Hardison and was completely surprised to see Henry Watkins. I remember a few years ago, George Brown (booker at Red NYC) hit me up and asked me  to do a test with new face Henry Watkins. I instantly liked his  fresh All-American look and after seeing him in person, I really liked his personality. Most new models come into my shooting space seem blank and empty .... not Henry. He was very smart and funny.... i instantly saw "superstar" in him.

Since our collaboration, Henry has walked runways  for Calvin Klein, Givenchy, Emporio Armani and countless other designers all over the world. Hes also done campaigns for Benetton and American Eagle. He even appeared on the reality series Model City.

With the fickleness of the fashion industry,it is real nice to see the work we did together continues to hold a presence in his presentation to the fashion world. This past fashion week, WHY NOT Model mgmt., his agency rep in Milan used one of my images on his showcard.

Everyone go check out Henry's interview on Vogue Italia - VOGUE BLACK . Its a major compliment that Bethann chose a few images of mine to appear in the Henry Watkins gallery.

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO INTERVIEW

fashion editorial: LOST WEEKEND featured in AMMO MAG

check out my editorial featured in AMMO MAG styled by Javon Drake. I worked with Javon before with model, Pierre Woods and fashion blogger Jinna Boo and we got along great. This time we teamed together  for an online magazine called AMMO MAG.  -

below are some of the outtakes as well as a few shots from the editorial. CLICK HERE to view the full editorial

photography: Tarrice Love
Fashion Editor: Javon Drake
Art Direction: John Woodland Jr.

location: ALOFT Hotel/ Harlem
Fashion Assistant: Thandie Gweshe
Models: Jeremy Rosado (Boss Models), Evander Holyfield Jr. (Ford), 

Chris (Q Models), Shamik (Idenities), Marcell Harris (Major)

 

the editorial was shot at the Aloft Hotel in Harlem. the rooms and hallway space weren't large enough to utilize the lighting I had anticipated so I had to rely on the lighting available .... which was difficult. This was my chance to show people that I could do something besides shoot in "controlled" lighting circumstances. I untilized the colored filters in photoshop to experiment and give a different mood to the pics. I hope people like the editorial...I know I am very happy with the way this turned out.

OMG! THAT FACE: MATTHEW COATSWORTH @ Soul Artist Mgmt.

When I opened the door I was blown away at how gorgeous Matthew Coatsworth was. Thanks Jason and Andrew @ Soul Artist Mgmt.  for sending him to me. :)

ACTOR/ MODEL/ RESTAURANTEUR THIERRY PEPIN @ Major Model Mgmt.

I remember Thierry Pepin when he was the guy in the ads for the Ralph Lauren fragrance Romance. I tore the ad out of a magazine and added the image to my wall collage at home in Memphis. I would have never thought I would have the opportunity to work with him....now I have.

Canadian model and actor, Thierry Pepin, use to own a popular restaurant in NY called “T-Poutine”, which served Canada’s national dish — poutine. Poutine - a mixture of French fries, cheese curds and hot gravy - is making it onto menus alongside typical American fare like cheeseburgers and chili dogs.

check Thierry out in the recent  Body Heat commercial....

He cut his hair to give himself a new look and the agency hit me up to photograph it. 

introducing ASHLEY DUVERNAY @ Photogenics LA

I met Ashley Duvernay when he was living in NYC in 2007. Last summer he relocated to California and he is currently represented by Photogenics in Los Angeles. He was in town visiting family and these are some of the images we shot for his portfolio.

With a face that bares a striking resemblance to the late Michael Jackson, Ashley has a beauty thats unforgettable. He also has an amazing body  and a laid back personality that always makes him a pleasure to work with.

 

 

introducing KORTNEY WILLIAM @ Trump Model Mgmt.

With a unique look and a personal style thats all his own, designer/ model Kortney William is definitely someone to watch. He is currently the only male model on the Trump Models roster.

Kortney William (photographed by Tarrice Love)

styled by Ataui Deng

Groomp by Ataui Deng

Kortney Hopkins does more than just model. He is also a fashion designer with a t-shirt line called I INSPIRE. Look for the website soon.

LAURENCE MCCREA @ Next Model Mgmt. IS DOING BIG THINGS

CONGRATS TO MY BOY, LAURENCE McCREA @ NEXT MODEL MGMT. FOR LANDING THE  NATION-WIDE GAP CAMPAIGN. 

I was walking home from work and passing the Gap flagship on 34th street and saw Laurence's face leaping out  of the window. I was so proud to see him working on this level. I remember when i first spotted him on modelmayhem and chose to work with him and develop him into a good model.   After I posted him on my blog, he started getting good responses from photographers and industry people. It was those images that attracted his mother agent who helped him get representation with Next Model mgmt.

He's appeared in GQ and Esquire and now the Gap Campaign. I look forward to seeing him develop more into the supermodel I have always thought he could become. 

 

Teedra Moses R U 4 Real

i am feeling this song and video at the moment.
Teedra Moses feat. Drumma. I actually attended to University of Memphis with Christopher Gholson aka Drumma, who has become one of the leading music producers today. He has worked with a host of hip hop acts that include Young Buck, Jeezy, T.I., Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, Nelly, T-Pain, Gorilla Zoe, Drake, Gucci Mane, Ludacris, Plies, Young Joc, Rick Ross, E-40, Rocko, Paul Wall,Lil’ Jon,Travis Porter. .....and the amazing Teedra Moses.



check out TEEDRA MOSES @ http://teedramoses.org/news/

When I was in college, my ice-itsocool.com website use to be an online magazine and Drumma was one of the models whom I photographed for it. He also did 2 of the instrumental tracks that appeared on my website. It's really great to see hometown talented people work hard and become successful Grammy nominated forces to be reckoned with.  check out his blog - http://www.itsbeenofficial.com/  and you can also download music from his official website - http://drum-squad.com/

this was his "compcard" i made for him that was featured on my website.... seems like a lifetime ago, lol!

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL featuring ATAUI DENG @ Trump Mgmt.NY, Elite Paris/ Milan

I have had the pleasure of working with Ataui Deng @ Trump Mgmt NY and Elite Paris/ Milan. I think she is amazing and from the moment I first met her, she left an instant lasting impression on me.  She is definitely one of those women who has "it" factor. She is a balance mix of commercial and editorial. She has appeared in countless editorials for top fashion magazines as well as campaigns for commercial clients like Macy's (with Andre Douglas). I am especially happy and honored to know that our work together is featured on her compcard and contributed to her successful season in Paris. I love working with Ataui and look forward to more projects with her soon.

here she is featured on Fashion TV :)

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Ataui is poping up everywhere....

she's even on the side of buses .....LOL!

THANKS MS. HILL - WHENEVER I WATCH THIS I FEEL UPLIFTED....

IT'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH and in honor of Black History Month I will do a positive post every week to enrich, celebrate, and inspire.

NEW FACE: RAEL COSTA @ FORD NYC.

The first time I met Brazilian Rael Costa I thought he was strikingly beautiful.  Yes, BEAUTIFUL - he was beyond being handsome. He was recently featured on Models.com as MOTW (model of the week).  I had lunch with supermodel Pierre Woods the day we were shooting and he stuck around to assist me with Rael. He was flying back to Brazil that evening and we had to make it quick.

He couldn't speak English well so he did a lot of smiling and nodding. :). He was the first person I shot that had a language barrier but it had no affect on his performance. He was amazing in front of the camera and seem effortless in his connection with the camera. Maybe its a Brazilian thing, but he just seem to have a seamless understanding about his body and his eye contact. Thanks Dorian @ Ford Direct NY for sending him to me as my first test with you..... he was magic.