Let me first say that this post was originally going to be made a few months back, however the temperament of our nation’s political climate seemed too volatile and I was worried that it would detract from the point of the article. While this blog does contain political figures, I hope that it can be read not as a viewpoint on politics, but an approach towards photography.
As all these shoots do, it began with a phone call, this one from The New York Times. On the line was the photo editor asking me if I would be interested in photographing Arizona governor, Jan Brewer. A woman of much controversy, Governor Brewer has made headlines for signing bills that had angered many, and is known for a rather infamous picture of her pointing a finger at President Obama as he walked off Air Force One. On a more personal level, I have actually lost work from clients that were boycotting AZ in light her signing of SB1070.
When I hung up the phone, memories of the infamous photoshoot that Jill Greenberg did of John McCain came to mind. For those that don’t remember it, you should Google it. In short, Jill did not agree with Senator McCain’s political views and wanted to make him look bad without him knowing. She set up a lighting scheme to uplight him and make him appear scary, and so when he came to be photographed, he would never know what had been done until the photo came out.
It was a moment that set the photo world back years, all for the attempted gain of one photographer. We as photographers are nothing without the trust of our subjects, and when that trust is broken we are nothing more than paparazzi with a studio. Yes, the option is yours, but it is Pandora’s box if you choose to mislead someone in an nth degree of passive aggressiveness where you not only waste the subject’s time, but screw them over in the process. When an ulterior motive replaces respect, turn down the assignment and keep your integrity.
So back to the photoshoot of Governor Brewer… yes, she publicly disrespected our President, and yes she has cost me many jobs. However, it is my job to be honest, not just for myself, but in this case my client, the New York Times. So with all the preconceived notions I had entering the day we set up and were ready to go early. Then she entered, and to my crew’s and my surprise was very polite and extremely excited about the photoshoot. We shot for a short while, even though we knew that we had the shot within the first two minutes. We talked life, we even talked politics. I was honest and she respected my views even though we didn’t necessarily see eye to eye. We shook hands, thanked each other for the time and life went on.
At the end of the day, all that matters is the client and your character. Work hard, and be respectful, and this career will be one that means the world to you.
…. OK, so with the lesson of this blog aside, I know you want a good story from the shoot, so enjoy….
The photo I was shooting of Governor Brewer was a full page and needed to have text on each side of it, so my client had asked that her hands remain at her side or crossed in front of her. As I love to do, I had set up a tripod and cable release and talked to her as I shot (a throwback to Avedon). At one point she says to me, “I feel so weird with my hands having to be at my side or crossed, I feel like I should be pointing at something.” Speaking what I probably should have just thought, I replied, “Ma’am, I think there are already enough photos of you pointing.” Everyone on set including my crew and her advisors went dead silent, and then, starting with the governor herself started laughing hysterically.
A Shoutout: I want to send a congratulations to the Arizona State Sun Devils football team, not only for winning the Territorial Cup against U of A, but for doing so with class and character. It takes skill to beat a team of U of A’s caliber, but it takes class to walk to midfield after winning in order to shake the hands instead of gloating… well done guys.
Thank you. As a resident of the state of Arizona, whose political views may or may not align with yours or the Governor’s, I want to thank you for showing such integrity. There have been so many obviously Photoshopped photos of her in the local papers that make her look awful. The total lack of respect shown by those on both sides is part of what is tearing our country apart. As one who works with the media, you should know not to believe people are the way they are portrayed to the public by the media. I love that you shared Jan’s joke about her pointing at something. It’s obvious she has a great sense of humor. Very nice photo. I’m sorry you lost clients over this.
Great story! Ultimately our responsibility is to respect the trust our clients place in us.
nice pic, GREAT pointing story.
way back when, just after Avedon’s Rolling Stone Magazine series of political portraits was published, I was working in a small gallery that was showing some of those images. he was there, and i asked him how he elicited the poses and expressions from his subjects. and he said, just as you alluded, that he had the camera on a tripod and he’d be talking to them, and just when they looked as i did, listening, he tripped the shutter.
some people don’t give him enough credit. pulling off the kind of dramatic images he created using only a white seamless is very difficult.
i was shooting a nobel prize-winning scientist a few years ago… well, now that i think of it, more than few years ago, because it was on film… i showed him a polaroid and he said that he didn’t like it, that instead of sitting he should be standing. “i haven’t this much trouble with a subject since i photographed streisand,” i said (actually have never photographed streisand, but she’s known to be difficult.) “F#*@ You,” he exploded, causing my editor’s jaw to drop to the floor, and then, in the style of banter that is familiar here in New York City, started laughing.
not as cool as your story, but amusing.
i guess you’ve heard the photographer Platon spin his yarns about photographing the world’s leaders?
thanks again for the blog entry.
DQ
Blair, thank you for putting this in writing. Political views aside, the Greenberg shoot you referenced made me quite sick to my stomach thinking of how it would damage the credibility of all working photographers. Photographing powerful and important personalities is difficult enough and trust really is key. To believe that artistic license gives us the freedom to bend or break that trust for the sake of pushing one’s own personal dogma is truly sad, immature and counterproductive.
Great photography as always.
Blair, there are many post on many forums about what defines a professional photographer. Some use income some point to quality of work. But in my opinion your actions represent the definition of a true pro.
Thank you
a very good photo of her, which isn’t easy from what I see on TV. She should hire you as her personal photographer. The Times didn’t put a gun belt on her did they? Her pose was perfect for it.
Great blog post mate, you know your photography defines you in more than one way. Sadly integrity, and trust are also hard to come by these days so after reviewing this post I now know a lot more about the qualities of your character. Keep up the great work!