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I
asked Patrick McCarthy to assign me to shoot a beauty and accessories
story, backstage at the Paris fashion shows. New York approved
the idea and this feature became a recuring assignment for several
years during show seasons. Karl Lagerfeld complimented me
on my "beautiful portraits," one day.
More
Paris WWD assignments.
About
the photographer . .
Steve Landis has travelled through many parts of the world during a career in professional photography incorporating the areas of photojournalism, fashion, beauty, and celebrity portrait photography for major publications for over 25 years. Steve has turned his life over to Yeshua the Messiah, (Jesus the Christ) and now primarily photographs weddings, family, actor, and executive portraits.
"I have been greatly blessed during my life and give the glory and thanks to Yeshua for a renewed life of peace and joy," states Landis.
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See
an enlarged
color shot of this model wearing this same outfit.
During
show week, I
would often have almost overlapping assignments. I would
often shoot a beauty and accessories feature, backstage at the shows.
This day, I was coming directly from a fashion show,
to Kenzo's design house, with my assistant, in order to meet my
editors, who had gone on ahead. Only in this case, they were
not merely my editors, but the bosses, Paris Bureau chief Patrick
McCarthy and Publisher John Fairchild. Everyone has their
Mr. Fairchild stories and I do too. This is a mild one.
We
announced ourselves, to the less than cordial French receptionist,
on the ground floor of Kenzo's building. She tells us to wait.
After several minutes I politely try to explain to her that
we are expected and I don't want to be late. Well, I don't
want to pick on the French, but, she basically ignored us.
I think I tried four or five times and finally, after it must have
been 20 minutes, they cleared up the misunderstanding (hers) and
we went upstairs. Here comes the good part. Mr. Fairchild
was so annoyed,with me, I suppose he thought I was just irresponsibly,
(not fashionably,) late. Already on his way out, to go to
another show, I tried to explain to him what had happened, to not
much effect. I asked if he had any instructions for the photo
I was about to do.
Fairchild
told me, "Well you are supposed to be so brilliant, you figure
something out, ... and don't give me any of that beautiful lighting
crap!"
That
made me feel ... good? Well, I'm not sure if good is the right
word, but in one sense I was relieved that I would be on my own,
and not have editors watching over me. I later figured out
that the receptionist had been told that an important appointment
(WWD — Mr. Fairchild and Mr. McCarthy, they forgot us) was
coming and they should not be disturbed. The only problem
was the head PR person did not realize that we'd be arriving separately,
and I don't think dared to ask Mr. Fairchild where the photographer
was. And the receptionist didn't dare disturb the PR person.
We
went to the nearby Jardin du Palais Royal to shoot with the model.
As I am ready to shoot I asked my assistant for my light meter,
to take a reading. He realized that he'd left it, with our
other gear back at the fashion shows. We had no time to go
back to get it. So I took a deep breath, and decided
that, based on Mr. Fairchild enthusiastic vote of confidence, I
had nothing to worry about. I calmed myself, I can't remember
if I prayed or not, but told myself that I knew what I was doing,
and through memory, I set my cameras. Many of you might wonder,
what's the big deal? This was before automatic cameras.
I was using a Nikon F. Even now, I use mostly manual cameras
which give you more creative control. Well my memory and instinct
worked out for the best, and I continued to work with W and WWD
for years to come .
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