"PREP" STAR

As we grow, we evolve..., we face challenges, and hopefully we pass on those skills that we too have learned. Life it seems is always about this balance. Ying and yang; life and death; beginning and end, teacher and student. A never-ending circle that ensures that the lessons learnt are taught and the mistakes of the past are not re-lived. So whilst most people were beginning to plan their Christmas parties, (and it does seem to start earlier each year doesn't it) or become weighed down with the plans that the natural renewal processes of this autumn season brings out in us; I found myself looking back at "my year in review" and thinking ahead to the projects of next year. (Like working with Tiger Lilly, you know I love you girl.)

It was at this time that an old friend (and protege' if you will) asked me to do a test shoot with him. I remember the gangly lad that I met years earlier. I remember the promising poetry that he recited and over time had seen him grow into the rather colourful, preppie young man that he is today and said, "sure how can I help." This is how the PREP STAR shoot came about. Hot on the heels of and in complete contrast to the HENCH HOMME shoot (which we're still editing) and amidst the singular work that went into photographing the wonderful accessories of BEADS BROTHERS;

the PREP STAR shoot was if you'll pardon the pun, old school.

No make-up artists or stylists. No assistants or behind the scene videography. Just me, a camera and an eager model. Blessed with the same location for an extra night and with lights etc still in place Ashley came down and professionally went through the paces even though he had to rush over straight from work and all I had to spare were a couple of hours from 8pm till midnight at the location. The results are what you see here and in the links above. A great model, a great shoot and a great time was had by all.

If nothing else, I hope I will be remembered as fondly as I remember the woman I credit as giving me my start. That formidable designer that gave freely of her designs for a school fashion show, to the young gangly lad that I was then. Here she is in a clip from "the Basia Show" talking about her incredible line that was inspired by and in tribute to

1st Lady Michelle Obama...,

the force that IS.... CLAUDIA PEGUS.

She was my first entry into fashion (working in her boutique); my first major shoot (on location in Mustique); and one of my first major assignment as her stylist/photographer for Caribbean Fashion Week 2001. In so many ways she was the mentor that prepped me for this industry. I hope I've done her proud and passed on the torch in prepping this young model.

World, meet Ashley Kha'n.

click here to see more of the shoot

HENCH HOMME THANKS

I Was Totally pleased with the effort that everyone made at the shoot. Both in front of and behind the camera.

We worked with a great group of guys, both professional and amateur models and the behind the scenes team we all 'par excellence'. Special, special thanks to Kaew who ROCKED OUT with the make-up and a big hug to Chris for putting us in contact with her. Ian, it was soooo cool to work with you again, and my 'brothers' GAVIN and KAMIL, you guys can do NO WRONG.

New to the team Nathan who's pictures are featured here for 'behind the scenes', and Dalila (we missed you girl, but know you were with us in spirit). Danny who found us a great space and helped us move Heaven and Earth to change it from a studio flat in Brixton to a workable space for GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS.

Special thanks to BEADS BROTHERS for their great accessories and to my amazing models:

Chris, Sam, Leslie, Derreck, and Zim.

All heads are now bent while we edit all that we got. Wait for it...., it's gonna be HENCH!!!

FASHION VICTIMS/ HENCH HOMME!!

Wow!! TWO GREAT SHOOTS

A great bunch of models!!

Hot on the heels of my last shoot entitled FASHION VICTIMS which starred a female model from Tokyo and a male model from Mumbai, i lucked upon the idea for another shoot entitled HENCH homme.

So with the first set of images barely finished with the editing, tomorrow is already geared up to be another great shoot.

Five Great Brothers all with something going on wheter it be a new barber shoppe opening; or them running a successful import/export business. Maybe they are a model I featured before that just got the centre spread of a well know magazine; or a celebrity trainer to the stars. Maybe it's a new face that you might have seen around before , that maybe haven't been captured by my lens just yet. Whatever it is though HENCH homme is gonna be HOTT!! With another pair of brothers that are actually brothers (BEAD BROTHERS) providing accessories and with styling and clothing provided by my brothers-in-fashion 'Hh' is gearing up to be a great shoot. I'm MEGA excited which is probally why i'm still up. Okay, time to hit the sheets. It's gonna be HENCH!!

BHM: BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2009

Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in the month of February. The remembrance originated in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson as "Negro History Week".

In the United Kingdom (UK), Black History Month is celebrated in October. Various guides are printed detailing listings of Black History Month events held throughout the UK. The largest of these guides, ROOTS, will this year be distributed prior to and at the Black History Festival. Taking place between October 9-11 2009 on Potters Field Park, alongside City Hall and Tower Bridge, the The Black History Festival will be the highlight of Black History Month celebrations in the Capital, and the biggest event of its kind ever held in the UK. Roots also contains in-depth interviews and editorial features on topical diversity and equality issues. The Official Guide to Black History Month, published by Sugar Media, Ltd., produced 100,000 copies nationwide in 2008. Indications are that it will not be published in 2009 through lack of funding.

Black History Month sparks an annual debate about the continued usefulness and fairness of a designated month dedicated to the history of one race. Critical op-ed pieces have appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer ^[4] and USA Today. ^[5]

Some African JESTINE radical/nationalist groups, including the Nation of Islam, have criticized Black History Month. Some critics, including Morgan Freeman, contend that Black History Month is irrelevant because it has degenerated into a shallow ritual,^[6] and say that it serves to undermine the contention that black history is American history. (wikipedia)

In my view, history is not just some archetypical event of the past. And so too neither should be BLACK HISTORY. It must continue to be relevant, or it will be forgotton. 'HISTORY' is being made TODAY. We see that in the wave of events that we are experiencing in this our lifetime. From a black man in the Whitehouse to good news in the form of 'Milestone' in the ongoing battle for a cure for AIDS. We must look not only to the events of a 100 years ago; not only to those dates and battles taught to us in class; but also we must pay careful attention to the work being done all around us. And not only by people in the news either. How many brave firemen fought to save lives this year? Or doctors battle disease on a daily basis? Or good mothers fight to raise their children on their own? Important people surround us. We need only to open our eyes.

This year I'll be marking the event with a series of commercial art posters. Images of both my own personal history and family side by side new, hopefully iconic images I'll be photographing over the course of this month. Take this journey with me as I discover during this month:

MY OWN BLACK HISTORY.