My little Mamiya is pretty unpredictable and it seems to have a mind of its own more often than not. After the first few rolls of film and some advice (way back when...), I decided that it was better to get multiple photos of my subject just in case. These two photos illustrate how I may get something totally useable and something a little interesting and or fun. The image below has the same affect as one of my favorite shots from the series seen here. This brown beauty was captured after leaving Korto Momolu's 2012 F/W fashion presentation at The Bryant Park Hotel. It was a fun event with lots of great people watching and flowing cocktails.... Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

Digging through my NYC Analog Street Portrait Series archive, I found a few gems that I've neglected far too long. Time is getting the best of me.... New York fashion stylist: Elena Moussa - The hair, the glasses and the Aztec influenced sequined dress make for a fun day on the Lincoln Center Promenade. Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

Beautiful. Natural. And. Black... Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

Dwight Eubanks of Real Housewives of Atlanta fame spotted near Bryant Park moments before Korto Momolu's 2012 fall/winter collection at the Bryant Hotel... I asked him for a few quick flicks and he started working his angles in his mink.... Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

Living Black Barbie spotted at Lincoln Center: A little long hair. Seriously popping eyes Lips bussin Vintage silver dress Vintage fur All good. All good boo! Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

For no reason other than laziness, I had been holding on to a few rolls of film with a Kung Fu grip. Every week for months, I’d promise myself to get it processed but it took 8 months for it to finally happen. I didn’t feel like driving way out to my usual small camera store, so I did the unthinkable and went to CVS for film processing. The horror!  When I dropped it off, the cashier seemed a little unsteady & I just hoped this young guy did not mess up my rolls. Well, he didn’t and I got some great stuff that I’m excited to share, FINALLY! Here’s the first in the last of my NYC Analog Portrait series and I’d like to say that it gets better from here. This photo of Eva Marcille Pigford of America’s Next Top Model fame was taken back in February 2012 just before I left for LaGuardia. She was leaving Lincoln Center and surrounded by photographers. I kinda pushed my way through the crowd and said “hey boo, can I get a few snapshots.” She said "of course, boo," and she posed down for me. Then she disappeared into thin air. It was awesome! And she looks fucking great! Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

She may be part gypsy, part Negress, part accessory lover but she's all New Yorker. I asked her for a photo and she dropped everything on the ground almost immediately. It was funny! Maybe I should be doing video as well as part of this series…. Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

I was on my way to a show in NYC when I spotted her. I said “hot shades.” She repeatedly shouted back. "Resurrection! Resurrection! Resurrection!" She was quite excited and animated. Later that day, I learned that she was actually referring to Korean designer Ju Young Lee’s Resurrection line of fashion accessories. I’m slow but that’s OK. One of the first shows that I ever photographed at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (2010) was Concept Korea where I became familiar with Lee's work. You can see the images here. Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

I get requests often from agencies, individuals etc asking me for permission to use my photos for various projects. More often than not, the request come with the following line "I don't have a budget but will give you credit." When I read that bit, it's a wrap. I don't need credit, I need cash! Why are people so crazy to think that I will offer free product for them to use to get paid off of? Maybe I'm the crazy one? Yesterday, I got the request below from architecture firm, Diller Scofidio + Renfro & I started to cuss when I read the last paragraph! See for yourself:

"Dear Tafari Stevenson-Howard, I am contacting you from Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the architecture studio that designed the Lincoln Center Redevelopment in New York. We are currently designing a book in collaboration with Lincoln Center covering our work on the campus from 2003 through the present. The first edition will be a run of 5,000 books, with an expected publication date of December 2012. We have found that the Revson Fountain at Lincoln Center has been a focal point for pictures posted online and we would like to feature this phenomena in our publication. We are interested in one of your images of the Revson Fountain on Flickr and would like permission to use it in our book. The image would be small, approximately 2" x 1", alongside images by other Flickr photographers, and we are requesting the reproduction authorization of this work. It is found here: www.flickr.com/photos/bygbaby/6952930643/?? The book is being produced in house and due to our limited budget and the limited run of books being produced, we are unable to provide you with pay or a copy of the book. If you do allow us to use your image could you please provide me with how you would like to be credited? We look forward to your reply, with kindest regards. Sofia Balters"

My was response was:

"Hello Sofia, Thanks for inquiring but I am not interested. The time, effort, creativity energy and cost of my camera equipment that I used to create this image is worth more than photo credit. I'm an award winning photographer, Getty Images contributor, style icon and US citizen that has bills to pay. Should you be interested in purchasing this photo, I'd love to talk more. And yes, this offer is insulting! Best, Tafari"

Who are these people? And did they Google my name before they sent that request?

Feels funny posting this photo considering the spring time heat wave that we are experiencing in the Midwest. But, I will not be fooled! I fully expect it to snow at least once more before April 4th. Mark my words! Anyhow, I bumped into Scottie Walden at Lincoln Center last month as she casually strolled across the plaza being stopped by street style photographers. Because of my careful eye & attraction to great neck ware, I was drawn by Scottie’s fur boa! It took a basic pea style coat from 0 to 60. And I’m not just saying this because my scarf game is legendary according to the New York Times. OK, I will not bring up the New York Times thing anymore. But don’t hate on me. Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

Sometimes great things come from artistic mistakes but  as a Virgo, I try to present everything in an A1 fashion.  Recently, I mentioned in a previous post how I was bummed about having the battery die on my Mamiya while I was out & about NYC. With a dead battery, I was left to guess my exposure settings & of course Im not running around with a light meter etc... I’m actually really feeling this portrait in a major way but I’m not one to blow my own horn. Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

It’s not often that you get to see a statuesque Tanzanian beauty strolling around NY waiting for a close up so I was lucky to bump into model, Miriam Odemba recently. I attempted to talk to her but her manager/sister said, "I do the talking for Miriam."  I was like damn, really? Never mind then. I’m not into having an intermediary when trying to talk my game in the streets. Nevertheless, Miriam gave me a moment of her time & it was the right time although it was not the nighttime. Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.