There are some days when I realize that, while I’ve got this picture-taking thing sort of figured out, I’m a mewling babe when it comes to marketing, branding, all of those buzzwords. (Let’s not even discuss SEO). This was brought to my attention again a couple weeks ago, when one of my grooms mentioned he was a huge fan of Eli Manning.
“I’ve worked for Eli Manning, you know,” I said.
“What?!?”
At which point I realized, of course he didn’t. I never really mentioned it anywhere. So yes, I photographed a charity event for Eli Manning and St. Vincent’s hospital … um, six months ago.
In fact, I do all sorts of rewarding work for charities and non-profits, and I get to run across all sorts of interesting people. I tried to compile a set of photos of the celebrities I’ve shot, but to my surprised delight, it was WAY too large. But here are some of my favorites. I never had any particular interest for celebrity portraiture (let the scores of photographers who care fight it out), but these are generally people lending their time to a good cause. Plus, I figure it’s never bad for couples and planners to know that I have ample experience in the sort of venues where weddings costs hundreds of thousands of dollars (wink and nod).
So here are some shots, mostly photos you haven’t seen before, and why I like them. These aren’t always the most famous people I’ve photographed, just some shots I liked that I could find in a quick search. There are others to be found on the blog, most notably in this set of the Al Smith Dinner with McCain and Obama.
The Champ. Muhammad Ali. I love this one mostly because it’s Ali, but also because it’s sadly not easy these days to photograph him in a way that shows the inner fire that still burns inside him. Boy is it prevalent here, though. I also love the intimidated boy in the background, because that was exactly how I felt.
Here’s the thing about editorial photographers — we love backgrounds. And so here a chandelier in the mirror becomes a glowing crown on Obama’s head. No deep political analysis meant, but everyone will read their own into it. That very night, Obama made a joke about the imagery: “Contrary to the rumors you have heard, I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father, Jor-el, to save the planet Earth.”
No nicer guy than Smokey Robinson. The image on the left was used during the Kennedy Center’s celebration of his life.
The idealist in me likes seeing two political enemies laughing it up together.
An unshaven Stephen Colbert, and his Tek Jansen comic book. On the left, I told him “Stephen, show me your Comic Book Best Friend!” And he did. Fans of the show will get the reference.
Brian Williams and Katie Couric, with an obscured middle gentleman, wave at the Al Smith Dinner.
I’ve taken a lot of photos of the controversial Nobel Prize winner James Watson, but this one shows his personality, which is cheeky and eccentric to say the VERY least, and that he stands apart.
Kristen Johnston, from 3rd Rock from the Sun, has fun as the impromptu host of a charity raffle.
Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia, from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, ham it up. There is a story about Carson that I will save for the memoirs.
The indomitable Brooke Shields, at right greeting Kenneth Cole.
Darrel Hammond. One thing I like about this is that the blurred out on-screen version in the back kind of looks like the real Al Gore to me. But I’m weird.
At left, Eli Manning and his wife, from the charity event that started this post. At right, Nona Hendryx rocks out at the 25th anniversary gala for St. Vincent’s hospital.
And, though it’s on the other link, Mo Rocca did say this photo of him with Katie Couric would be his Christmas card, so I should include it here:
