DONT SLEEP ON US: Fashion Photographers

The fashion industry is designed with a white male point of view as the template. We don't see many people of color or women shooting magazine covers, editorials, or major fashion campaigns, especially in America. These are the things that become apart of fashion history. They can set a photographers career to financial and iconic success. There are plenty of photographers of color who create the images that build the careers of models who go on to have lucrative careers. We also create the imagery that inspires other artists without the support system of the major players and often times for very little money. On the higher levels of fashion, its as if we don't exist.... we are not in the room when big money and opportunity are on the table. People of color and women need to be in the room if you really want to see diversity and significant changes in the industry. Look at how much life Edwin Enninful and his diverse team has breathe into British Vogue.
I decided to compile a list of photographer friends who I know personally and professionally over the years who deserve to be highlighted for their amazing vision and contributions in the fashion industry. We are all working so hard to be successful in this industry and it starts by being in the room.

The fashion industry needs talented individuals like us in the room...with a seat at the table. We inspire each other to be great.


TARRICE LOVE
instagram @i_am_tarricelove
website: lovewasherelab.tumblr.com

   

ITAYSHA JORDAN

instagram @itayshaphoto
website: www.itayshajordan.com

 

GREGORY PRESCOTT
instagram @gregoryprescott
website: gregoryprescott.net

  

TYREN REDD
instagram @tyrenredd
website: www.tyrenredd.com

WILLIAM LORDS
instagram @williamlords
website: www.williamlords.com

 

PHOTOG J
instagram @the_photographer_j07
website: buy his art here

 

MAYA GUEZ
instagram @mayaguezart
website: mayaguezart.com

 

SEAN WATTERS
instagram @swatters
website: https://www.seanpwatters.com/

  

WILLIAM ELLIOT SPRINGFIELD
instagram @williamspringfield
website:  www.WilliamSpringfield.com

 

FREEDOM by Jussie Smollett

check out the new music by Jussie Smollett...

Jussie Smollett @jussiesmollett

photographed & styled by Tarrice Love - @i_am_tarricelove

hair by @johncotton3

grooming by @nilmuir

assisted by @geremyalexander

Download m4a OPENLOAD: Jussie Smollett – Freedom [iTunes] 

Download m4a PURPLINX: Jussie Smollett – Freedom [iTunes]

https://goo.gl/images/A9s84P

Jussie Smollett @jussiesmollett

photographed & styled by Tarrice Love - @i_am_tarricelove

hair by @johncotton3

grooming by @nilmuir

assisted by @geremyalexander

THE "REAL" TARRICE LOVE EXPERIENCE

When I came to NYC, I left my friends, my family, and the comforts of creating images with people who trusted my ideas and allowed me the freedom to create whatever my mind could come up with. I came to NYC to create art that inspires the next generation and change the way the world see people of color by celebrating our beauty. I also wanted to be able to make money living my dream.

There are a lot of really good photographers in NYC, so I knew I had to stand out and create images that were different from what the other photographers were doing. I had to make art they could only get from me. I wanted people who worked with me to be forced to see themselves in a different way. I wanted the people looking at my work to see and feel something different. I wanted them to appreciate craftsmanship and have respect for what I do as an artist.  I had to give them an experience they could only get from me... #therealtarriceloveexperience.

Somewhere along the line, I started limiting my creative visions and doing work I felt was safe and fitting in with what models and their agents said that needed from me. I wanted them to be happy, so I gave them what they said they wanted instead of being creative and trusting my own vision. I started creating images that look like stuff they already had and reinforcing the ideas they have of themselves. I became bored and started losing my confidence, my drive and became easily distracted by the stresses of life. Even my close friends stopped following my work...saying that it was just technically well done and pretty. I will never forget Tyra telling Robyn on the 1st season of Americas Next Top Model that "...pretty is boring."

Having a conversation with photographer Rick Day and talking about growing old and dying in front of the computer retouching boring ass shit, made me think about my life in NYC. I've  made a lot of sacrafices to be here. I made a commitment to create art that means something to me. I didn't come here to create work that is boring and forgetable. I left that conversation and came home and rearranged my workspace. I needed to feel like I was in a new environment. I got a new computer (the old one broke and is still in the shop).  I started reading all the wonderful books super agent Jason Kanner at Soul Artist Management has given me to help become re-inspired. I want to start back working with people who I trust and trust me that are ready to create images that go beyond their portfolios and content for their social media. I want to be taken out of my own comfort zone and do some epic shit.

I have made too many sacrifices to waste any more time on basic shit that makes us forgettable.

WE WEAR DRAWS TOO: DASOUL UNDERWEAR feat. Steve Oback at BMG Models

model: Steve Oback - @steveoback

(BMG Models NYC)

ph. Tarrice Love - @i_am_tarricelove

I am a black photographer that has always used my platform to show support to people of color in my community. Most of the models i photograph bring designer underwear to be worn in their photos for their portfolios. These photos are shared all over the internet on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and their representatives websites and blogs. Its FREE viral advertising that we are providing for these brand. Most of these brands are white owned and feature mostly white models in their advertising and packaging. They don't visually represent colored people as if we don't we buy and wear their products. Our demographic is overlooked and underappreciated. They really don't have to because we are doing it for free. Everytime we  post an image wearing their logos and  branding, we introduce these brands to our communities and advertise with no compensations. Alot of these brands pay internet/ social media influencers top dollar to feature them on the sites. If we are lucky, they might send us some free underwear to use in our work to advertise to our community. 

model: Steve Oback - @steveoback

(BMG Models NYC)

ph. Tarrice Love - @i_am_tarricelove

In America, people of color make up an increasing spending power of over $913 billion dollars a year. I decided if i was going to allow branding and logos to be featured in my imagery, I use this opportunity to show my support and introduce a designer underwear company that is black-owned. There are lots of talent designers of color who make great products but dont have the resources these mainstream brands… they need the support and exposure.

model: Steve Oback - @steveoback

(BMG Models NYC)

ph. Tarrice Love - @i_am_tarricelove

Menswear designer Andrew Nowell is also the designer of DASOUL UNDERWEAR for men (https://dasoulinc.com). Recently brand ambassador, fitness model/actor, Steven Oback Johnson stopped by the lab. I have seen lots of images of models wearing underwear on my social media timelines. It was my 1st time seeing a model wearing DASOUL underwear. It was my 1st time physically seeing and touching the product.The fabic felt great. It is a blend of nylon and spandex that is stretchy and comfortable. The contour design is perfect for guys that have more thighs and glutes than the average guy featured on underwear packaging. My momma would say these underwear are for "grown ass men" who eat cornbread, lol. I wanted a pair for myself….I have  decide to use  my branding power to support black owned businesses who actually have me and customers like me in mind.

model: Steve Oback - @steveoback

(BMG Models NYC)

ph. Tarrice Love - @i_am_tarricelove

MODELING 2017 (#returntothesupermodel ...please)

The model arrives. (usually late).
They come through the door (with phone in hand).
They sit down (with phone still in hand).
I ask for their portfolio. the model goes to their packback and pull out and ipad or tablet.
or
They go to their photo gallery on their phone.
I make small talk... ask them questions about themselves... trying to get to know them.
They give me short answers (never looking away from the phone in their hand).
I start telling them about myself but if they seem completely disinterested, I just stop talking.
I walk over to the shooting area and say okay lets get this done and over with....
The model walks over and brings the phone with them so they can see it when it lights up.
They put on the 1st look and stand facing toward me with both arms to their side waiting for instructions.
I'd turn on the  music and  proceed to give direction.
Their phone lights up or makes a buzzing noise.... they run over and pick it up, text a response, and return it to the table. They'd  return to the  x on the  floor and  resume their "Rolodex" of posing.
They put on the second look and repeat everything that happened in the first look.
We're done!
I act like  it was  a great shoot and pretend like i love the pictures.
They grab their phone and their bag and proceed to walk out the door with a half-ass thank you and  goodbye.
I lie down on the couch and listen to them walk down the stairs and think "That photoshoot felt like bad sex....blah and not worth mentioning...blah!."

Shooting models use to be fun.
I love working with new people and getting to know them and allowing them to get to know me. Models would come through the door with all this great energy and I would immediately understand why they were in demand. They were familiar with my work and  excited to see the #realmagic we'd create together. It was a collaboration where we shared ideas and shooting was an experience for everyone involved. It was an opportunity to build, connect, and create unforgettable images that would last beyond all of our careers.

When I worked with models before, it was very personal for me. I'd get a chance  to try new ideas and  techniques. They model would get to see themselves in a  different way and  have images that helped them stand out at castings. I was sharing my gifts and artistic talent with people who would become my friends. In 2017, shooting models feel like they are placing a fast food order at a drive thru window. They want images that look like other models  or images that reinforce the way people see them already. Its become very impersonal.

Its not always like this...but i'm experiencing  more shoots like this and i am trying to adjust to this new way the fashion world is operating but its not easy for me. Its  hard to create inspiring work with people  who don't seem inspired.
Can we #returnofthesupermodel .....please? they loved being in front of the  camera or at least made the  photographer and  the  team love being around  them. They were connected and engaging. Models today are more involved with their phones than whats  happening around  them. They arent interested in befriending  the photographer and the  team... they just wanna be in and out as quickly as possible. I'll never forget what top model/ actor Toby Sandeman from Soul Artist management said  to me. "its  not about booking jobs, its about REBOOKING jobs. Its about connecting with the  team to make them want to work with you more and more and more..."
Its impossible to do that when the model has their face buried in their phones.