Mr Irving Penn

Can I share my Irving Penn story .......... First I say this with all respect for Mr Penn and his amazing contribution to Photography and imagery. Also as most of you know I'm not the greatest writer... hello I'm a photographer I look at the pretty pictures:-)

When I moved to New York, my friend worked at Clinique and started giving me some test assignment to help me pay the bills and get adjusted to life in Manhattan.

She had an idea for a new ad campaign, to enlarge make up smears and make them look like modern art, Very simple ,Very Graphic.

We shot them together in my apartment in the village until 3 am. I have funny pics of us, as we shot the messy make up blobs. Anyway, I handed over the final film, she scanned and mocked up advertising comps for a presentation and it was a HUGE success! They looked so cool, especially at that time because all the cosmetic company still life ads were the bottles and containers and not nearly so creative to include the actual product.

She informed me at the beginning and I knew the finals would be shot by Mr Penn because he was under contract with Clinique. I was so excited to shoot the test and be that closely tide to Mr Penn, who's work I had admired and respected since .....14 yrs.. old.

Well , I walked into the Clinique's office a month or so later to have lunch with my friend, everything there was crazy and everyone tense. I remember the Creative Director smiling at me as he shut his door yelling into the phone" I don't care that he doesn't do reshoots, He will reshoot them or we will be forced break our contract and run what we have"

Over lunch I was given the story, that Mr Penn shot the campaign. The presentation was received with very little enthusiasm from the board of directors. I was told they asked what had happened to original shoots?

So, my friend said it was the worst days she had at work (up to that point ) when Mr Penn agreed to reshoot the images. She had to bring my photos, which were blown up to 16x20 and hang them on his studio walls to copy!

I was blown away. I still feel very privileged and honored that Mr Penn knew my work ...... even if he probably hated me for it.

So much of his Photography has influenced me ... the frozen peas, the tulips, the cigarette images, the shot through the screen, the V wall portraits and the earthly bodies series. I think what I respected the most is that he was a photographer, whether that be still life, fashion, food or portrait. He embodied, to me that a great and true photographer was not the object in front of the camera but the light, crop and energy that surrounded it.

Thank you for portraying and leaving us your perspective of the world and your time with it

with my respect

Rest in peace

Reed

Deck Inspiration

I love the view from our deck in Los Angeles. For the longest time I have been stumped at what to do with it . Not until I decided to get ride of our shabby chic couches did Patrice chime in and say ..... "You know what, it would be great to put these out on the deck ! We will never find more comfortable deck furniture and besides they are in such great condition !" We are in Southern California as well , Outdoor living is what Los Angeles does best. We had the couches cover in a crazy strip from Sunbrella . Patrice picked originally, I was a bit out of my comfort zone ... you know I like simple and white .. but upon seeing the finished pieces I fell in LOVE .. Its so different from what I ever imagined the deck to be , It is now my favorite place in the house and offers me endless opportunity to explore new possibilities with the world around me .

Smokey sunset from the fires

PBTeen Covers

Here's a look at some of the Pottery Barn Teen covers I have worked on

Out now :-)

Ladies and Gentlemen.... Heeeerrrre'sssss GRACE !!!!

Grace was amazing show!

I don't think there is anyone like her today who has surrendered themselves so much to ART.

She is a true muse.

I am inspired and grateful for her.

La Roux @ Cafe Du Nord

Went to see La Roux , UK Electro-Pop sensation at Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco Great Concert in an intimate venue . I took a shot at some concert photography ... very exciting .

Also had fun meeting her after, Thank you Roman and Gary !!!!

BTW... Loved her shoes the new Metallic Dior!

Market Street.......... Mark

I met Mark in San Francisco. He is another Friend of my friend Roman. Mark has worked on some amazing architecture projects in San Francisco . I could really appreciate the modern way he approaches classic pieces.

Mark is wearing Kenneth Cole shoes,Kenneth Cole, shirt: Hugo Boss, Jeans: Kenneth Cole ( however I am not a Kenneth Cole whore) with Mykita eyeglasses, ID Bracelet given to him for his high school graduation. Timbuktu messenger bag.

His good friend Michael at Salon on the Square has cut my since 1983!

Some of his favorite spots in San Francisco are Ted Baker, Kenneth Cole, Hugo Boss for clothing . He is loving Zuni and Absinthe right now for dinner... they are both within walking distance from his apartment and Cresta's Twenty Two Eleven Club, it is a small dive bar on Polk Street with great music and bartender

Is there a story behind this outfit?

I have gravitate toward this look lately since I dislike trips to the tailor when I find clothes that fit I tend to wear them to death...

What is your motto?

Hope springs eternal.

What is your most marked characteristic?

My calm and humble Midwestern demeaner.

What are you listening to musically?

I have been listening to podcasts of trashy club music like "Boombox Delights", dance mixes on "Danceateria" and of course the The Carpenters.

What books are you reading?

Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclist are Changing American Cities, and Appropriate: The Houses of Joseph Esherick, (city planning and architecture geek)

Who is your favorite artist/composers/painters/poets?

I am a big fan of the Abstract Expressionist painters Jackson Pollack, Franz Kline, sculptors Calder and Noguchi, and local artist Ruth Asawa. My favorite composers tend to be early 20th Century American's Samuel Barber and Aaron Copeland.

June 2009 NewsStand

Veranda June 2009This was a really fun story to shot with Veranda. 

I met Suzanne Goin on a shoot 2 years earlier, at that time her restaurant Lucques was already a phenomenal success and she was working on a new project A.O.C. Wine Bar now, another staple in the culinary word. She is such an amazing and talented person and both restaurants are a must when visiting Los Angeles.

House Beautiful June 2009

This house, I shot for House Beautiful, was so cozy tucked away along the coast in Malibu. It had the most beautiful view of the ocean and sunset. It felt like being on your own island, hard to believe we were so close to LA

Better Homes & Gardens June 2009

This story I shot in Manhattan Beach , CA for Better Homes & Gardens. 

Amazing cottage and the home owner ,Erin Curci, makes the most beautiful reclaimed furniture. You always meet interesting  people on this job which I love .

Fit Pregnancy June 2009

and Fit pregnancy! Always fun !!!! 

Molly Ringwald was so great that day and I really enjoyed shooting her for the cover. No celeb. secrets/dish to tell ... she was really down to earth, normal and a good sense of humour. 

I also worked on several smaller stories which dotted the issue. I scanned the Style page I worked on as well as a pelvic exercise story for after pregnancy. Always learning new things :-)

Hayes Valley

I met Jamie through my Friend Roman in San Francisco . I love her casual ease with  personal style  and natural beauty plus she is hilarious.

Jamie is wearing a dress is from Zara with Vintage Gucci flora print scarf, quilted black bangle from Forever 21, and wooden bracelet by Chanel with shoes from Repetto. She recommends  Mikey at Vidal Sassoon for Hair

Some of her favorite spots in San Francisco are Nida for clothing , Bar Jules to dine and Tank Hill for a night filled with stars .

Is there a story behind this outfit?

It is a transition into spring outfit.

What are you listening to musically?

Jorge Ben and Beach House

What books are you reading?

The Ossie Clark Diaries

Who is your favorite artist/composers/painters/poets?

Tahiti Pehrson and painter David Hockney.

Hispaniola Unite

Hispaniola Represent!

Patrice and Roman in SF 

lets lunch ....Le Comptoir Du Relais

A dear friend and fellow Photographer Beatrice  invited me to a Fantastic Restaurant 

Le Comptoir Du Relais

The food was spectacular ! Here are some fun shots on the fly of our meal... Maybe It would be exciting to document more meals . Eating Vegetarian in Paris is an interesting experiment.... I find it fascinating their approach , not the usual grilled zucchini eggplant and peppers ... they think more seasonally and organic

Seasonal Grilled Farmer's Salad

Oeuf Mayonnaise

escargot ............

then ICE CREAM :-)

Berthillon Glacier !!!!!!

Ok I am just a little excited ....

It was amazing 

Saint-Sulpice Chic

I met Clémentine at Hervé Chapelier in Sant Suplice . I was drawn to her elegance and beauty but I loved her sense of humour

Clémentine is wearing Arthur and Fox suit, cashmere sweater with vintage Swiss army watch,Holland and Holland,and Guibert leather bracelets.

She loves to go around the corner for tailoring ,Across the street for Manicure / Pedicure and a block away from home for Dry cleaning and has her hair done by a girl friend who comes to her house. 

Her favorite Paris haunts are le Bon Marché, it's practical for clothes,  Fernand for traditional French cuisine and  ride's twice a week in Fontainebleau so she is not a night owl.

Is there a story behind this outfit?

Comfort

What is…

Your motto?

Keep a stiff upper lip.

Your most marked characteristic?

Amiability

Your likes…

What are you listening to musically?

Mahler, Georges Benson

What books are you reading?

Japonaises la revolution douce and Diana Mosley né

 Mitford

Who is your favorite artist/composers/painters/poets?

Mahler, Debussy, German impressionists, quattrocentists, Eluard

Kitsuné .....Paris

In Paris at the Kisuné store I ran into Raphael

Raphael is wearing Boston Jacket by Kitsune, T'shirt by Petit Bateau x Kitsune, Jeans Classic by Kitsuné,with Pocket square Acne, Belt Acne, Pin (Golden Fox) Kitsuné .

He loves Diamant for tailoring , Atelier Cattelan for shoe repair and Royal Pressing for Dry cleaning. 

Raphael had some great recommendations  for Paris, definitely  Kitsuné  , La Bourse ou la Vie , great neighborhood french family restaurant and Curio Parlour was a fun late night salon.

Is there a story behind this outfit?

Actually, no. I work at Kitsuné and  woke up late that day, so I just took easy things, a white "T" and a pair of jeans, easy boots and the pocket square, for a little more dressy touch.

Your most marked characteristic?

Eyes, I think. Well, I don't know in fact.

What are you listening to musically?

At the time, a lot to the Kitsuné Tabloid By Phoenix. Otherwise and randomly, Yma Sumac, Erikah Badu, Verdi, Eartha Kitt, The Rapture, Micheal Jackson (mostly 80's), Nina Simone, Meshell N'degeocello...

What books are you reading?

Currently, nothing. As fav', there's (french titles), L'enfant qui devin fou d'amour, L'Amour aux temps du Choléra...

Who is your favorite artist/composers/painters/poets?

Verdi , William Blake

2009 Paris

While in Paris I came across this great graffiti.

 It sparked me to begin a project .

It may not seem but I have a phobia of just walking up to someone to photograph them on the street ... If its a job .. No problem ... but for a personal project its very hard for me. I wanted to try and overcome this and thought......

  I have meet so many wonderful people in my travels with such great tips about there cities and I am a huge fan of the Sartorialist . Why not  do portraits of my acquaintances with their tips ? 

Lets see how this goes 

La Tour '09

Such a beautiful Spring Day in Paris and La Tour Eiffel was calling to me to visit.

I thought I would test out the G10 and bask in the Magnificence of the day