Late Night Alumni

I can honestly say I worked my ass off this summer. Infact, I think this is the hardest working summer I’ve ever had. Between filming for the video diary, filming and co-producing the interview stuff with Kenya, putting together a top-secret project for D based on the In My Stilettos brand, helping my peoples put together his online magazine project, catalog work, and also finding some time in between all of that to run my own company full of circus-like stuff, I can say that the cries of me being creatively burned out and being “bored” with things really was put to the test and worked me over too (pause).

But all in all, no complaints at all.

I know I mentioned that 2010 would likely be my last year doing “all of this” but the likelyhood of that happening isnt a guarantee, infact I actually might continue on, although I’ve said to others that I’m likely done because I want to return to a regular lifestyle & daily routine like everyone else. I’m starting to see why athletes have to be dragged off the field before they finally decide to hang things up for good. When you feel the energy doing something you like to do, and as long as the people are appreciative and requesting of it, then I guess there’s only but so much you can feel about wanting to leave – it’s like an artist retiring despite still making chart-topping albums…at some point, the reaction from the masses will kick in and sitting at home wont be the same knowing you’re seeing others who are doing what you were doing but arent doing it at a high level that you know you can.

In other words, if the people want it, why not continue to give it to them?

I’m also excited to announce that I’m going to be working on a “one-off” documentary-style short film (that’s used very loosely right here LOL) of Glamours Edge that will be filmed far away from NYC, and will NOT be based on anything in my life, but rather based on the lifestyle of a photographer who’s not one of the usual “geekazoid” dudes. I’ve been very fortunate to have lived the lifestyle I have for the past 17 years without much change – in my 7 years in this business so far, I’ve been lucky enough to have met and hung out with some of the most celebrated models in urban america, the fashion world, all of that. Yeah sure, my reputation is always “what people heard” but those who know me beyond the gossip knows that I value my lifestyle because I get to be who I am, I dont have to change for the sake of perception, and furthermore, I dont answer to anyone but my higher calling and myself and just do my job as asked. Right now I’m still in the early stages, but if all goes well, early 2010 is the release date for that. I’m more excited about this project than anything because I think it will allow the average viewer into the life of a photographer who’s not one of the usual bookworms who has no life. I was sitting with my good friend Kimmi after we did some community service work the other week and we were mentioning things going on professionally with us, and she said “you probably get alot of…..” which I think is what most people think of photographers who work in the fashion/modeling world, and its understandable because I used to think the same thing too until I got in the business, LOL. Now granted, I’ve been thrown ALOT of !@# my way over the years, some from names you wouldn’t ever believe (if you’re in the modeling business, especially the black modeling community), but at the end of the day, I wouldn’t re-visit anything, although I do feel flattered to have even lived what I’ve lived. I’m just happy to be showing a side of things that is generally not seen and always assumed.

Other than that, just the usual usual. I’ll have alot more to talk about after the return trip from across the water, as there’s alot of things going on that are about to heat up MAJOR.

Some photos from going to see K’s play “Dying to Live” over by Lincoln Center just over a week ago, as well as stopping by Havana Outpost to chat with Lizzey, Grace, & Judith amidst the rain that was fighting to come down the entire time.