GOTTA GET ME A PAIR OF LVL XIII

Seandon Roberson was  one of the  first  models  I worked with I moved to New York. Even though he's no longer a model, he still will flex and pose for my camera. He is currently the Marketing Director for an awesome  new line of luxury footwear called LVL XIII. After seeing one pair of the shoes up-close, I asked  Seandon to bring a few  pairs  for me to photograph for this story.

LVL XIII (pronounced Level 13) is a luxury shoe brand founded by Antonio Brown—a former accountant who worked for a luxury doll manufacturer, the Alexander Doll Company. LVL XIII represents a luxury lifestyle brand that specializes in high-end shoes that utilizing top grade leathers and exotic skins.

This unique collection of footwear has caught the attention of celebrities like musicians Chris Brown and Jason DeRulo, who wore a pair on Good Morning America, rappers Nas and Jim Jones, supermodel Tyson Beckford, and athletes like New York Knicks player J.R. Smith and Kroy Biermann of the Atlanta Falcons. Actors Nick Cannon, Tracey Morgan, Jason Sudeikis, Chris Tucker and Tristan Wilds have been seen in them too.

I tried on a pair and they made me feel like i should be on stage .... like a superstar. :)

for more info about the shoes you can contact Seandon at sean@lvlxiii.com. For shoe purchase online lvlxiii.com or carbonbazaar.com

...MY SHIRT AND TIE SH*T! feat. Nate Gill @SoulArtist Mgmt.

model: NATE GILL (city models/ soul artist mgmt nyc)

ph. Tarrice Love

styling: Tarrice Love

 The  moment he stepped into my studio I understood  why so many clients hire him. Not only is he flawlessly good-looking, but Nate Gill has an energy that lights up a room. He was one of the nicest models I have had the pleasure of working with from Soul Artist Mgmt.

He's done campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Abercrombie & Fitch, Y3, DKNY, and most recently Dsquared2.

He's walked the runway for Dolce & Gabanna, Etro, Versace, Givenchy, Vivienne Westwood and Calvin Klein.

I was  a little  intimidated to work with a  model that had been  photographed  by so many of my favorite photographers, but Nate's personality put me at ease. It was my first time working with him, but it felt like I was working with an old friend.

photographer Tarrice Love feat. nate gill @ soul artist mgmt. from tarrice love on Vimeo.

model: NATE GILL (city models/ soul artist mgmt nyc)

ph. Tarrice Love

styling: Tarrice Love

For my 1st shoot with Nate Gill I decided to play it safe and shoot some  classic, clean, and simple style images. I was nervous and I didn't want him to think I was a weirdo. Looking back, I wish I hadn't gotten in my own way and done something artistic and crazy. He has the personality and look to pull off almost anything. We definitely haveta make something awesome happen next time he's in town. 

The thing that surprised me the most about  working with Nate was him telling me that in his 5 years of modeling that our shoot was his first time in front of the lens of a black photographer. I was complimented and  disappointed at the same time. It really made me realize how much more work me and other black photographers have to do to break into the circle of photographers that models like Nate Gill normally work with. I am thankful to have the support of Soul Artist Mgmt. and  models  like  Nate Gill to help make my journey towards success a little bit easier.

Nate Gill appears on season 2 of Revenge and  you can check him out on netflix.com 

PORTRAIT: AZMARIE

Three years before appearing on Cycle 18 of America's Next Top Model, Ashley Livingston, better known as, AzMarie stepped  in front of my lens and with the collaboration of makeup artist Crystal Clark created some timeless, beautiful images. After ANTM, I got a phone call from AzMarie letting me know she would be in town to film a movie and work on her album and if i would be interested  in reuniting to shoot again. HELL YES!!!

After sitting down with AzMarie and she  informed me of her plans to concentrate  mainly on her music and acting, I decided to keep things simple and capture images that were more true to who she really is.... so she could use the images to promote her future projects.

Along with working on her upcoming album, AzMarie  has joined the cast of  gay tv drama DTLA: Downtown Los Angeles as the role of Ricki, the girlfriend to Melanie Griffith's character Kimberley.

I love the simplicity of her beauty and the complexities of her personality.....it merges well. In a sea of models who look like clones of each other with "blank canvas" personalities, AzMarie is one of the coolest  and most interesting models to have stepped in front of my camera.

introducing: CAESAR STOVALL @ Red Citizen NYC

I met  former Army paramedic turned model Caesar Stovall at the beginning of the  year on modelmayhem. We would chat on skype about our ambitions and our planned photo session. He came to shoot with me from a small town in Virgina. In person he was more than another one of those light skinned, pretty, mixed-raced boy that towered over me like a tree.... Caesar had that "it" factor..

I really didn't like the pictures from this session because i hated his hair so we reschedule a second shoot with a better hair cut. On the day of our re-shoot, he signed to Red Citizen NYC and booked an exclusive with Givenchy fashion show. His booker  had other plans for him that didn't include shooting with me - so the shoot was cancelled. He took me to lunch instead to show his thanks and appreciation for me taking the time and special interest in working with him and being his friend. He told me that it was the pics I took of him that caught the eye  of his booker at Red.

Caesar Stovall's walking the Givenchy runway show last season created a lot of buzz for him to work with leading photographers and designers  in NY. He's even had a write up in the New York Times. I am excited for him and happy that all his hard work and sacrifices are starting to pay off. I expect bigger things  for Caesar and I wish him continued success.

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 :)

E

Ataui is poping up everywhere....

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

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