Sessions@AOL with Al Green
I got asked to shoot Al Green for another Sessions@AOL. My stubborn negotiations with AOL finally worked themselves out and the magnificent complexities of corporate decision-making gave rise to a photographer-friendly contract that I was happy to sign. The main concern was ownership of my images and the Work-for-Hire crap they wanted me to sign wasn't going to fly. If you want a little insight into how I stuck it out, I've excepted a piece of the past APA (Advertising Photographers of America) President Jeff Schewe's letter which reads, "Say no to circumstances that are bad for yourselves as individuals and the industry as a whole. Say no to bad contracts. Say no to exploitation. Say no to Work-for-Hire. Say no to Royalty Free. Saying no, in a professional but firm manner, is the surest way to command more respect." If you want to learn a little more about this, check out the APA's many valuable resources.
So anyway, there I was again, shooting Al Green after a few months of finding my own subjects. There I was again getting paid to take pictures. There I was again being pulled in different directions by the different folks who all have a vision of their own. "Shoot this," "shoot that," "we need a trade shot over here," "do your portrait now," "you have five minutes to do your portrait." It sounds annoying but in the heat of it all, it's right up my alley. I like the spontaneity of the Sessions work. I take a certain amount of pride in making good photos under conditions that are almost entirely out of my control. I jump right in and work it. If I am rusty at anything after my time away, it's editing. It took forever to winnow down my selects for AOL's photo editor. Something about sitting in front of a computer for hours just isn't as compelling as making pictures.
For fans and others alike, let me say that The Reverend Al Green ripped the roof of the recording studio during his performance and one-on-one he has a childlike giddiness that is infectious. Bravo Rev. Al!
Take pictures.
So anyway, there I was again, shooting Al Green after a few months of finding my own subjects. There I was again getting paid to take pictures. There I was again being pulled in different directions by the different folks who all have a vision of their own. "Shoot this," "shoot that," "we need a trade shot over here," "do your portrait now," "you have five minutes to do your portrait." It sounds annoying but in the heat of it all, it's right up my alley. I like the spontaneity of the Sessions work. I take a certain amount of pride in making good photos under conditions that are almost entirely out of my control. I jump right in and work it. If I am rusty at anything after my time away, it's editing. It took forever to winnow down my selects for AOL's photo editor. Something about sitting in front of a computer for hours just isn't as compelling as making pictures.
For fans and others alike, let me say that The Reverend Al Green ripped the roof of the recording studio during his performance and one-on-one he has a childlike giddiness that is infectious. Bravo Rev. Al!
Take pictures.
