Last week, while on vacay in NYC I had the awesome opportunity to photograph Janella. What made it awesome was that she’s a great person & it was her birthday, working on the Brooklyn Bridge & then getting a mini tour of Brooklyn during the course of the shoot.

I told Suite Suzy that working with Janella was the best shoot I had all summer. It was totally easy going, not too hot & we laughed all the way through it.  I cannot work & be serious without laughter!

Janella is totally a Brooklyn girl & describes herself as an intense but free-spirited workaholic (a union representative who LOVES her career).  She also says that she is a bit much (but she’s cool with that). She’s happy,  loves to laugh, and makes the effort to be a good friend to really good people.

I say that, she’s just all that!

Since Janella is all things Brooklyn, she wanted to incorporate her city in the shoot, so the Brooklyn Bridge seemed like a natural location choice.

My one concern was that people would be all over the place on the bridge but that was far from the case. People that walked past cleared the way & even complimented my model. That was pretty cool.

This may sound crazy but I really felt like I knew what I was doing when we were on the bridge. I was in a very nice zone!

After we wrapped at the BB, we headed to the Brooklyn Museum, which is MASSIVE! Outside of the museum are some great backdrop features that could yield some very diverse images. Shit, it was almost like being in a candy store.

Oh, I have to mention that Janella & I both had assistants on the shoot. Olivia was my right hand woman working the reflector, swapping out lenses for me & making sure I had water.  Janella was assisted by out mutual GREAT friend Renea! Without Renea, my last two shoots in NYC would have not been positive.

Renea certainly helped Janella throughout the shoot but moreover she was the on-set comedienne. Her impersonations are totally classic. At one point, she gave me a brain freeze laughing at her Iman voice impersonation. That shit needs to be recorded!!!!

Anyway, as we got ready to wrap, we stumbled upon a reflection pool at the museum & my imagination got a little wild.  Before you know it, Janella was in the middle of the pool & from there, my favorite shot of the day was born.

It was a well spent & productive 3 hours!

Post shoot, Olivia & I met up with the rest of the family & had a great lunch at Junior’s where I had a corned beef & pastrami sandwich. Yes!!! I ate beef & it was damn good!

I tried sangria on my 2nd trip to Barcelona, SP many, many years ago (98′).

I was on a 3-day layover and hanging with my fellow flight attendant buddies, Nitza Rodriguez, Gladys Montisenos & Jorge Carballo who was our self-appointed city tour guide.

On this one particular day, we did a little shopping, people watching & tons of tapas eating. It was perfect! As the sun began to set, Jorge found a little restaurant for us to have dinner.

The restaurant was quite small yet charming & I remember all of the marinating octopi & squid in this case & dangling lights hanging from the ceiling.

Jorge, Nitza & Gladys all had paella & I recall it smelling & looking WONDERFUL but since I cannot eat shell fish, I settled on a chicken dish. The chicken was pan-fried in olive oil with garlic & I swear to this day that it was the best chicken I ever had.

Most importantly, Jorge ordered a pitcher of sangria. When it came to the table, I asked what it was (I was young & not as international & sexy as I am now). When Jorge explained, I was like sure, pour me a glass up.

Well, several glasses later I remember us getting in a cab & me waking up in my hotel room with no sheets on the bed.

After that night out dining, laughing etc, I was hooked on sangria!

Sangria goes with any meal if you ask me but it’s PERFECT on hot summer evenings when enjoyed with friends.

My recipe is fail-safe & certainly a crowd pleaser. If you try it, I hope that you will enjoy.

Ingredients:
- 3 bottles of red wine (Doesn’t need to be super expensive. I used a mix of Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 3/4 cup Sugar
- ½ cup Cherry brandy
- ½ cup Grand Marnier
- 2 Apples sliced (granny smith & pink ladies are perfect)
- 1 Orange sliced (I prefer navel)
- 1 Star fruit sliced
- 1 Lemon sliced
- 1 cup Strawberries

The Jump Off:
- In a large pitcher, mix your liquids & sugar until the sugar is dissolved
- Mix in all of your fruit & refrigerate over night.
- Before serving, your sangria give it a good stir then enjoy glass after glass.

Factoid:
Sangria was introduced to America at the 1964 World’s Fair in Ney York City.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to photograph friend, radio host of Cocoa Mode (XM169 The Power) & DMV area yogini; Shawna Renee.

Shawna & I met 2 years ago when were both in my BFF’s wedding & we’ve been friends ever since. Actually, I was a fan before I was friend but that’s a long radio listener story.

Anyway, Shawna was in need of some new photos for some exciting new projects, so she hit up yours truly.

My original idea for a photo back drop feel through like a mutha. It’s amazing what how 3 locked doors can destroy plans.

Fortunately, Shawna, was very flexible so we made a quick revamp & the rest is history. During our session, we set up shop on the Detroit River Walk, Millender Center & the Dequindre Cut. It was a quick, sweaty & thirst filled 3 hours.

I’m not sure who said photography was easy because it sure is not! With that said, I’d like to send a special shout out to my baby Olivia who assisted me during the shoot.

One of these days, when someone writes my autobiography, I will talk about how I got Shawna to do the butterfly & why she rode my back during the shoot. It’s about that hard work I was just talking about.

Anyway, I’m tired & need to sign off. The weekend was AWESOME but now I’m feeling it.

If you follow me on Twitter of Facebook, then you know that I’m planning on being at New York Fashion Week this fall.

As I said, I’m PLANNING on being there no matter what! My application to photograph has been submitted to IMG & the plan is to work with my home girl, ace boom cool & style-watching partner Asia Willis of The NYLA Report.

While I sit & wait for a yes or no, I’ll be dreaming that I was chosen to work some of the hottest runway shows with a fun team of style/fashion journalist led by Asia.

So if I am not chosen, I will still be in the city with an obviously reduced schedule of events. I plan on just being out & about doing street photography & wrapping up my Analog Portrait series.

Which ever jumps off, it will be a great opportunity & I plan on having a ball because I have chosen to see the silver lining. But, I so want to be chosen.

Speaking of being chosen, just 24 more days before the voting for the Black Weblog Awards are closed for voting.  If you have not already voted, please consider choosing me for the best photo blog.

Your vote can be cast here for “Tafari’s Mindspill” (best photography blog on page 4).

If my blog is chosen for the best photo blog, I will post a video of my doing my happy dance while doing my bitch scream. I know you want to see that so cast a vote!!!!!

By the way, I got my little apprentice Olivia to help me compose this shot. She’s great but hardheaded around my equipment. I guess she’s a lot like me.

And… you will see more of this chair. It’s my new “gentlemen’s chair” that I won in an auction. I saw it in the window 3 months ago at DuMouchelles auction house & I had to have it. One month & 1 bid later, it was mine. Sadly, it fits nowhere in my home but I will find a way to make it work!!!!

See-line woman. Dressed in green. Wears silk stockings. With golden seams. See-line woman. See-line woman. Dressed in red. Make a man lose his head. See-line woman. See-line woman. Black dress on. For a thousand dollars. She wail and she moan. See-line woman. Wiggle wiggle. Turn like a cat. Wink at a man. And he wink back. Now child. See-line woman.

The photo above is of one or my long time & dearest friends Yvette Tamaika combined with my new favorite typeface Afrobeat, which was created by Spanish designer Giuseppe Salerno.

I stumbled across Afrobeat on the Kiss My Black Ads blog & fell in love immediately. You see, I’m a font whore! A font whore who has been know to drop a few hundred dollars on face types only to regret it later. Well regret it until it appears in a project where it looks totally awesome.

Inspiration:

“The pounding tribal rhythms of Afrobeat music is expressed through this psychedelic brand new font, Afrobeat. Every letter becomes art as every letter is elegantly placed side by side, like music notes, creating music for the eyes.

Afrobeat is a musical style performed by many African artists such as Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti, Antibalas and many more, which is a fusion of jazz,funk, and psychedelic rock, originating from the 60s and was based on the political movements of Nigeria.”

It takes a lot for me to splurge on a typeface & it’s been a while so I’m in a good space.

Are you a typeface whore of junky? What your favorite & what’s the most that you have paid for a font. Don’t be afraid to speak, you’re amongst friends here.

I’ve known Keturah aKa Dr. Jeffries since my high school days. If you know me then you know that it’s been a long time. A LONG time.

Now that I’ve dated myself…..

Photographing Keturah and Ray was a pleasure as we made our way around the Cranbook House & Gardens laughing while trying to keep cool.  Sometimes I wonder if I should be having as much fun as I do on my assignments like I do.  I guess it’s a sign that I really enjoy what I do even when working with a banging headache.

Keturah & Ray’s sweet baby girl Riley will be here in a few weeks & they are so ready to love her. It was evident.

Driving away from the session, I thought to myself that Riley will be one spoiled little girl & lucky to have a doctor in the house. How awesome & Huxtable is that?!?!

You can see more from my session with Keturah & Ray here.

On my recent trip to NYC, thanks to a friends referral (THANKS Renea!!!!), I was able to pick up NY area actor Christine America as head shot client. Love my friends!!!

Christine & I talked maybe twice before actually meeting & we clicked. I love when that happens!

We settled on meeting at Battery Park, which was pretty interesting. I say interesting because I showed up maybe about 30 minutes early & actually just sat at a bench & watched the tourist be tourist.

It was quite seeing people be so excited about the city, taking pictures & boarding tour buses etc. I guess because I love watching people I found it more amusing than maybe I should have.

So, during my session with Christine, all I did was laugh & sweat. She’s quite the comedienne & it was soooooo hot out.

I teased Christine for having a ready-made electric smile & she kept bringing it making my job smooth. Going through Christine’s images was a joy, because I just saw so much to work with & that smile was popping.

It will be great if she can attract some acting work with this fresh batch of head shots!!! My last headshot client has been hot ever since I did her head shots. She actually landed a VERY nice role in a movie staring Gerard Butler where she has some hot & heavy scenes with him.

Anyway, I’ll be back in NYC in a month & I’m hoping to pick up more business. I just don’t know how to go on vacation without incorporating a little work to balance out my fun times.

Looking forward to my lovers road trip get-a-way this weekend to celebrate my 11th wedding anniversary along with BFB & The Good Dr. Long, who will be celebrating their 2nd wedding anniversary.

During the trip, we are doing nothing specific so I’m hoping for tons of random goodness.

I know one thing, Suite Suzy & I are looking forward for adult time together! Kids are a challenge in the summer time & its certainly time for a break from these crumb snatchers.

While in NYC, I plan on photographing elements the city in 36 frames with my Mamiya/Sekor 500DTL camera. My theme is somewhat determined but I will see how it flows once I get on the ground running. Stay tuned!

On another photography note: I have a scheduled photo shoot with a NYC actress, which should be pretty cool. From our initial conversation, I know that she will be quite fun to work with. Get money!

I know I said I was gonna be on a lovers road trip get-a-way but a brotha has to make some cash!

Photo history:
Taken with my old iPhone 3Gs on top of Rockefeller Center, processed in Adobe Lightroom.

Remember little Kellen? Well, he recently turned one.

In Korean culture, the one year birthday or “Tol” is historically very significant.

Way back when, due to Korea’s climate, and many childhood illnesses, childhood mortality was extremely high. Many children unfortunately died within their first year of birth.

After the age of one, the survival rate improved, which made this a significant moment for the child & their family.

Tol has two meanings in Korean. The most common meaning is a child’s first birthday. It can also be used as a generic description for birthdays: Chut-tol (first birthday), Du-tol (second birthday), Seo-tol (third birthday), etc.

According to my favorite online source; Wikipedia, A boy would traditionally wear: pink or striped jogori (jacket) with puple or gray paji (pants), striped durumagi (long jacket), a blue vest printed with a gold or silver pattern or a striped magoja (jacket), a jonbok (long blue vest) with a gold or silver pattern, bokgun (black hat with a long tail), and a tarae-busun (traditional socks).

And as you can see, Kellen was a #1 Stunna!

Thanks Brandon & Kathleen for trusting me helping you to preserve Kellen’s special moments!

You can see a few more images from my session with Kellen here.

Bravo Bravo is THE hottest annual [charity] event in Detroit hands down.  I love working Bravo Bravo because you get the best of all worlds; beautiful people, good food & non-stop exotic libations. Did I mention non-stop exotic libations?

This year’s Bravo Bravo theme was “Destination Fashion & I partnered with Asia Willis of The Nyla Report & Margarita Barry of I Am Young Detroit, to capture some of the hottest looks rocking in the halls of the Detroit Opera House.

I wonder if I can get Asia & Margarita to do a hot mess of Bravo Bravo next year. The hot mess that you see is so fascinating. Like very fascinating!

Anyway, check out The Nyla Report for this year’s hotness.

When Monica Blaire is on stage, you are always in for a soulfully energetic show & last night at Bravo Bravo was no exception.

After Monica’s performance, we talked briefly & she said they weren’t ready. I laughed because no one is ready for Monica because she brings it hard & different every time!

I love watching her grow as an artist & performer. She is really making shit happen & represents the Detroit creative scene very well.

If you are not following her on Twitter you should! Word on the street (Twitter street) is that she is about to drop a new mix tape. Cop that!

On amother Bravo Bravo note, stay tuned for a post that spotlights some of the hottest looks from one of Detroit BEST parties of the year.

Sometimes you just need a friend to listen and not really say anything.