Tuesday, September 28, 2010

HER MAJESTY.....re-introducing ISAMAR GONZALEZ

Isamar Gonzalez (photography: Tarrice Love)
styling: McGuyver
headdress by Me/ McGuyver
all accessories designed by Isamar Designs


The first time I saw Isamar Gonzalez was 12 years ago in  Heavy d's Nuttin' But Luv music video and again in Sweet Honey by Born Jamericans. It was  my first time seeing "real" models in videos and I thought she was goooorgeous. She was the black girl with "the big hair." I never thought in a million years I would have had the opportunity to meet and work with her.


music video - Sweet Honey by Born Jamericans/ Delicious Vinyl

photographed by Thierry LeGoues


She sought me out thru the networking site Facebook to assist me on a few of my photoshoots. I was so nervous that i wouldn't respond. One day I came home from work and got on Facebook and she hit me on the chat asking me when was I gonna call her...... I honestly didn't know how to pronounce her name and I didn't want to butcher it plus I was kinda afraid to meet someone I actually use to draw when I was in college. She told me to "call now!" and try....so I did. We instantly hit it off and set up a session.




Isamar Gonzalez (photography: Tarrice Love)
styling: McGuyver
dress made out a t-shirt by Me/ McGuyver
all accessories designed by  Isamar Designs


I was a little nervous and intimidated to shoot her in my cramped little space. Supermodel Isamar has worked with some of the most amazing photographers and fashion icons in the world. I was hoping that experience of working with me would equal her expectations. She made me comfortable and feel just as relevant and special as those photographers i grew up admiring. Being in NYC and not having access to space, clothes and connections has heightened my insecurity and has made me lose confidence in my work and abilites, but working with Isamar made me feel so inspiring and proud. I love the images we created and look forward to working with her on more projects.



Isamar Gonzalez (photography: Tarrice Love)
styling: McGuyver
all accessories designed by  Isamar Designs

She looks as amazing as she did when she first started modeling at 17 and was wonderful to work with and I think I captured her energy and spirit perfectly......

Friday, September 17, 2010

FASHION feat. OMAR KENNEDY @ Boss Models/ Next Miami

Omar Kennedy (photography: Tarrice Love)
painted gloves: Tarrice Love
assisted by: Shyloh Wilkerson


People always have something to say. One of the things most of them seem to say about my work is that it is artistic. Many feel it is too artistic to be considered fashion photography. I  want to know if my work is considered to artistic to be fashion, then what exactly is fashion photography and it is fashion today considered art? I decided to do a photo series that paid tribute to fashion involving body paint. Omar Kennedy of Boss Models and Next Miami caught the China bus from Boston to shoot with me. He booked a job in Boston and got the bus as soon as it was done. He arrived in Brooklyn at almost midnight.

BTS(behind-the-scenes):


I was inspired partly by the Louis Vuitton/ Stephen Sprouse "graffiti" print and the body paintings artist Keith Herring. model and friend Shyloh Wilkerson stopped by to help and finally meet her facebook friend model Omar Kennedy.



Omar Kennedy (photography: Tarrice Love)
painted gloves: Tarrice Love
assisted by: Shyloh Wilkerson



FASHION IS AN ART FORM THAT COMPLIMENTS GOD'S GREATEST CREATION... THE HUMAN FORM.

Omar Kennedy (photography: Tarrice Love)
painted gloves: Tarrice Love
assisted by: Shyloh Wilkerson

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

introducing MARYBETH DUPAIN @ Next NYC

Marybeth Dupain (photography: Tarrice Love)


I met Marybeth Dupain during one of my visits to NYC back in 2006. I did a test shoot with her when she was starting out. Since then both of us have developed to be much better than our begining work. She has done worked for Abercrombie and Sephora and other clients all over the world. I was happy to have her return to the front of my lens ....... she is gorgeous and I really enjoy working with her and look forward to a continued working relationship. Its amazing when a model can step in front of a camera with no makeup, no elaborate hair, and no designer clothing and still produce beautiful images....

Marybeth Dupain (photography: Tarrice Love)

Marybeth Dupain (photography: Tarrice Love)
styling: Marybeth & MacGuyver aka Tarrice Love

Thursday, September 9, 2010

HOT NEW FACE: ROB EVANS @ Major Model Mgmt.


Two months ago, the last thing Rob Evans was thinking about was modeling let alone creating a sensation walking the Givenchy Spring/ Sumer 2011 Men's show in Paris. He was in Oxford, UK training at his local boxing gym maintain his amazing 6'3 physique. So far modeling has allowed him to walk in shows in Paris and an already impressive collection of magazine editorial work .


He's in the Big Apple ready for NY fashion week. Not being the ideal showroom size hasn't discouraged Rob or made him feel the need to starve to death and comform to the industry current skinny boy standard - he's opt'd to be the exception..... actual man size. Everyone was telling me "he's huge" or "all you really can do with him is underwear stuff." I set out to prove otherwise. 

When Rob arrived to my place in Brooklyn, I decided to untilize my "MacGuyver" skills. I took him to one of those Fulton street fabric stores and bought some black wool and decided to construct him a cocoon coat. This beautiful hooded cacoon is featured in the selection of images in this post entitled THE DARK KNIGHT. I also got more amazing fashionably stylish images coming soon. ROB EVANS IS A SUPERSTAR.....mark my words. :)
Rob Evans (photography: Tarrice Love)
Rob Evans (photography: Tarrice Love)
Rob Evans (photography: Tarrice Love)
Rob Evans (photography: Tarrice Love)
Rob Evans (photography: Tarrice Love)
coat: MacGuyver aka Tarrice Love

Monday, September 6, 2010

introducing REMI ALADE CHESTER @ Vision/ LA - Re:Quest Model Mgmt. and Gadal Model Mgmt.

Remi Alade-Chester (photography: Tarrice Love)

From the first moment I saw Remi Alade Chester, I knew I wanted to photograph those perfectly chiseled ebony cheekbones. I contacted his mother agent  Graham Edwards from Gadal Model Management in Barbados to set things up the next time Remi was in NYC. His face is majestic and his body is perfection - his personality was icing on the cake.... excellent to work with. I enjoyed working with Remi and I look forward to working with him again. 



Remi Alade-Chester (photography: Tarrice Love)

Remi Alade-Chester (photography: Tarrice Love)

Sunday, September 5, 2010

introducing model/ actor EVANDER HOLYFIELD JR.

I recently had the pleasure to work with model/ actor Evander Holyfield Jr. (the son of boxing great Evander Holyfield) I met him a few years ago via Internet. We kept in touch. He recently moved to New York for an internship and to further pursue his modeling and acting career and we finally got him up in here to shoot w/ me.

Evander Holyfield Jr. (Photography: Tarrice Love)


Evander Holyfield Jr. (Photography: Tarrice Love)


After the shoot we looked through the images, the biggest smile came over his face... he was so happy and that made me feel good. Shooting him made me realize the power imagery has in making people feel good about themselves. I make people beautiful..... that makes me feel good about what I am doing.

Monday, August 30, 2010

STEPHEN CHRISTOPHER for FASHIONWASTED: another fashion blogger

Stephen Christopher (Photography: Tarrice Love)

I shot fashion stylist-designer/ blogger Stephen Christopher - responsible for FASHIONWASTED. Fashionwasted is a amazingly exciting blog that covers hotshit in the fashion world. Its like a inspiration board - combining fashion imagery and music.....on  a blog.
I was introduced to Stephen Christopher and his blog through Ohio-based photographer - Photog J.  When he came to NYC to celebrate his birthday, he stopped by my studio for a session with me. Check out his blog and check out his pics.......hotness!

 
Stephen Christopher (Photography: Tarrice Love)

Stephen Christopher (Photography: Tarrice Love)

Monday, August 16, 2010

ARTEROTICA featuring a few pieces by ME


WHEN: Wednesday August 18th ,from 7pm-12am
WHERE: Madame X, 94 West Houston btwn Laguardia and Thompson (www.madamex.com)
Music By: DJ Rimarkable

To RSVP: Dinna@sybariteproductions.net



You can now follow ArteRotica on twitter (just click) 

ArteRoTica is a monthly event created and produced by, Sybarite Productions, Inc. In collaboration with curator and photographer, Alaric Campbell, ArteRoTica exhibits the works of carefully chosen artists whose art represents the various forms and expressions of eroticism. Taking place at Madame X, in the heart of New York’s West Village, from 7 p.m. – 12 a.m., the event features erotic displays of art - from photography, to fine art, to performing art. New York tastemakers and art critiques are invited to this exclusive event to witness the hidden, and not so hidden, talents of New York. The continued goal is to bring exposure to the artists and Sybarite Productions Artist Development Center. All monies raised are donated to Sybarite Productions Artist Development Center, serving the young adults of all 5 boroughs of New York.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE.....

Friday, August 13, 2010

THAT FACE: GER DUANY@ Boss Models


I shot Ger Duany for a magazine editorial when I first arrived In NYC. He was amazingly striking and the power of his presence was undeniable. It was the first time I had ever photographed someone sooooo dark. He is one of the most beautiful men I have ever photographed and I hope to work with him again...soon.

Ger Duany for Pulse Magazine (Photography: Tarrice Love)

Thursday, August 12, 2010

...say it loud, I'M BLACK AND I'M PROUD!!!!




I was born in the 70's and was a child in the 80's and throughout my developmental years blackness was celebrated. We had Gordon Parks shooting for Vogue and Life magazine (still waiting for the day when a black photographer shoots the cover of the American Vogue). He opened the flood gates capturing black life on the silver screen with gems like The Learning Tree and Shaft. Other films followed like Oscar nominated Lady Sings the Blues and Claudine which introduced the world to the beauty of Diana Ross and Diahann Carroll. Every little girl in my neighborhood wanted to be Tracy Chambers aka Mahogany and all the lil dudes wanted to be Superfly.

 


Every black family I knew had stacks of Ebony, Jet, and Essence magazines on their living room tables. All my friends had tearsheets  from Vibe and Source ( and lets not forget the jet beauty of the week, lol) covering our bedroom walls.


On curtain  weeknights our entire house was on lock down for Good Times, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, The Cosby Show and A Different World - I smile when I think of the days when BET did us proud with Donnie Simpson and Video Soul, Teen Summit on Saturdays, and Cita the cyber-host.


Every Saturday night  me and my brother glued ourselves to the tv to watch ....SOUL TRAIN. It had the coolest fashion, the best music, and  everyone seemed to be having a good time. They made being black cool ( like the Gwendolyn Brooks poet WE REAL COOL)

above: model Pierre Woods @ NY Models sitting in front of the italian version of the movie poster for Gordon Park's film  A Learning tree

One a fashion standpoint, we had Willie Wear/ Willie Smith who was the first black designer to win a bunch of awards before his death. We also had Patrick Kelly who was both the first American and the first person of color to be admitted as a member of the Chambre Syndicale in Paris. He was an exciting designer who continues to influence fashion today.




I grew up in the middle of the supermodel craze - and a few black ones emerged - Naomi, Veronica, Beverly Peele, Tyra.  Tyson Beckford totally redefined what a black male model is suppose to look like to the point where most of the black male models today look like they could be his little brothers. Their presence made me feel like the fashion world was open to someone like me.




Today I think black people have lost that sense of pride and dignity they had back in those days. I grew up feeling really good about being black and felt happy about my life. I embraced the music, art, culture, fashion and food  that made my life different from the  "white life" I saw on television.

I think imagery is powerful. When you don't see a representation of yourself reflected in a positive way, It send a very powerful message.  It was powerful enough for me to want to use art as a tool to celebrate  the beauty I see in everyone who steps in front of my lens.

I merge all the elements that influenced me  from my life growing up as a young, southern, black man and present them in the images I create. The generation I grew up in inspired me to want to see blackness as beautiful. It is disappointing that Today's generation is mostly about fitting in, making money, and being apart of the system and expressing its point of view instead of using your resources to express and celebrate your own point of view.

I SAY IT LOUD..... I'M BLACK, AND I AM PROUD!