All of this is to say that I have had the chance to photograph New York musician SIRPAUL once before. I had asked him if I could do behind the scenes shots as he worked on a music video back in September 2010. It wasn't really a formal shoot. I was just sort of documenting the video production. He agreed and it was fun and I got some interesting photos.
Then SIRPAUL asks me if I would shoot some female models for him. He works in the beauty industry and he would like some shots of his work for his resume and such. This would be a new experience for me and I was scared and I have never worked with professional models or female models before and I wanted to say no, so I said yes. When all was said and done, SIRPAUL had handed me an amazing opportunity to work under really wonderful conditions with really beautiful woman who looked even more beautiful due to his talent as a hair designer. The shoot was remarkable. I was able to come up with images I had only dreamed. He was happy. I was relieved and happy...and my confidence went up. So much so that I even agreed to photograph a television personality in his home to do promo shots of him to be seen on television and anywhere else he wanted them plastered...and I even took money to do it! (I have never taken money for any of my shoots in the past. So, this was a big deal.) I finally felt like I could do this.
So, now...SIRPAUL and I had been talking through the winter months about doing a shoot together that would feature him. We planned for the first nice weekend we could get weather wise and we made it happen.
The results of the shoot have made me so happy and proud. The photos are intimate and fun and moody and tough. All taken within 6 hours of each other. Different locations around Manhattan. Different ideas and approaches. They all add up to a great set of shots of a guy who it is impossible to take a bad picture of. SIRPAUL had some great outfits that spurred ideas. He worked so hard on getting shots to look better. He was so generous with his time and ideas. He gave me 100 percent of his focus...and even carried a prop chair or an equipment bag when we would change our location. SIRPAUL was incredible...and he makes me want to be better at this whole photography thing. I still have a long way to go.
I want to thank SIRPAUL for being a great model and subject. And to thank him for always giving me the nudges I need to take the next step. He makes doing the scary things fun and safe. I owe him a lot of gratitude. He has long had my respect.
I also want to thank Bruce Miller and Michael Parisi for helping me on the shoot. They are always supportive of me. They are the best.
