Adventures with Lady Di – What Rock ‘n’ Roll Looks Like
I Photograph Rock Stars…
Yes, Greg Watermann, you do.
Last Thursday, Lady Di and I ventured out to A&I Hollywood for the opening reception of the Greg Watermann Photo Exhibit “I Photograph Rock Stars.” Greg Watermann has a fairly strong following in the rock ‘n’ roll world from both the bands he photographs (Linkin Park, Slipknot, System of a Down, etc.) as well as the fans that get to enjoy these photos of their favorite bands, not to mention all of his peers in the field of photography many of which also showed up to show their support.
I tend to make it out to events like this with less frequency these days due to my sometimes crazy schedule, but always make an effort when my friends are involved. I still probably go out more than the average person, because it usually is my friends that are involved. If there is anything any LA resident knows it’s that LA is incestuous and it’s usually the same people who over and over make things happen (I’ll elaborate on this someday but not today).
Upon arrival it quickly became apparent that Dallas, TX would be the theme of the evening as Lady Di (a Texas native) instantly recognized an old friend named Steve that she hadn’t seen in years who also happened to be a member of one of her favorite Dallas bands. Steve is officially the first person I’ve ever met that lived in Antartica.
Although almost everywhere we go we are bound to know some people, this evening was no exception and it was nice to run into old friends instantly. There is nothing worse than being stuck at something that feels stuffy where everyone is trying to be overly cool and no one is having a good time. The lyrics “A room full of plastic smiles and an empty glass,” from “The Situation” by now broken up Ventura band The Return come to mind. Doesn’t that sound more like a nightmare than a night out?
We proceeded to grab some drinks and didn’t realize until midway through the evening that we had to purchase drink tickets to drink since the bartenders never asked us for any. Lady Di and I have a knack for many things like being ushered into secret rooms and for unintentionally befriending bartenders everywhere we go (time has proven that’s not such a bad thing as this equals free drinks, although we never ask for them), and this event was no exception as they tried to arrange a post-event hang out which we awkwardly laughed our way out of.
After doing a walk-through and taking a look at all of the photographs and watching a video featuring Watermann’s work with System of a Down, we quickly were back in the thick of a reunion and waxing nostalgia as a couple more of the members of the Dallas band Steve was in were spotted (they were all getting together to lay down some tracks this past weekend for a new project Steve has embarked upon), which included the drummer and one of Lady Di’s favorite people Joe Fulginiti. Joe also happens to be part of the A&I Hollywood team along with one of my favorite people in LA, Jason Costanzo, who because of busy schedules I rarely see despite the fact that he lives a couple of blocks from me.
A&I Hollywood regularly puts on photo exhibits at their Highland Ave. gallery such as the L.A. Nude 20 year Anniversary, which featured live nudes mingling through the crowds while showcasing photography from over forty photographers including Dennis Hopper, Douglas Kirkland, and Herman Leonard. I unfortunately had to miss this event when it happened as Brandy (BB) and I were putting on the “Unconventional” Fashion Show in Culver City in conjunction with Indie Collective and Seed Clothing that same night. The best part of the A&I Hollywood events is that A&I owner Baret Lepejian designates a charity which will be a recipient of any proceeds from each event. Baret is usually present at each of the events gregariously mingling with the crowd. If you happen to run into him, ask him what he likes to collect, and if you’re lucky you might get to see the actual unique items. I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone who collects what he does and doubt Lady Di had either.
It was a fun night filled with random multiple run-ins like The Woods owner and another of my favorite people Michelle Marini, AM (who is playing Spaceland with his new band Mondo Domingo this Saturday May 16), among many others.
Best dress of the evening award goes to the girl wearing this BeBe Studded Trapunto dress (retails at $249) that we would’ve never guessed was a BeBe dress. This was a perfect dress for the nighttime occasion just rock ‘n’ roll enough with the studs, gunmetal, and diagonal zip design completely avoiding the “stripper” look which I did see a couple of girls sporting.
I had actually almost forgotten all about this dress but happened to catch the Kellie Pickler “Best Days of Your Life” video and am pretty sure this is the same dress Taylor Swift is wearing in it.
It was a fun evening full of good people.
Please visit Greg Watermann’s official website www.gregwatermann.com to view his photographs. This exhibit will continue at A&I Hollywood from May 7 – June 10 and then at A&I Santa Monica from June 18 – July 24, visit www.aandi.com for more information.
You can also read more about the opening reception itself here.
Inside Photography with Photographist Jessy Plume
Jessy Plume is the talented eye behind the lens of a majority of the TRAffIK photos…you’ll know a Jessy Plume shot when you see it. Trust us.
Click here for a Q & A with Jessy.
Q & A with “Photographist” Jessy Plume
“Photographist” Jessy Plume answers some questions regarding her technique, favorite subjects to shoot, and her first camera.
Q. When did you realize that you wanted to be a photographer and why?
A. I think it was in high school, around 16, I realized there must be a reason I spent all of my time in the darkroom instead of class. I just couldn’t get enough information about it (photography). I studied fashion mags and photo books. It’s the only thing I was really crazy about back then.
Q. What was one of the first photographs that you saw that really spoke to you and why?
A. Kate moss at 15/16…. Not sure why she just looked so amazing in that Photo
Q. What was your first camera and at what age?
A. Hmmmm. Tough one, I have kept them all. I’m thinking it was my Bronica 645 (medium format)….. I used a lot of others before that but it was the first I actually saved up for and was MINE all mine!
Q. Do you recall the first picture you took?
A.The first picture I took with actual ‘lighting’ and a ‘professional camera’ was of my best friends Liz and Sara, still have it.
Q.What has been one of your hardest to put together shoots? How about your craziest?
A. The toughest jobs are the ones you really care about and are worth shooting, but have no budget for;
Hardest- Sex Cobra (band) In the desert in July-ish 120 degree weather… I thought I was going to vomit the entire time, heat stroke is a bitch.
(Sex Cobra – all photos by Jessy Plume - click on photos to enlarge)
Craziest- Love Rebellion…. So much to shoot in so many locations with so many people involved in so little time!!! But soooo worth it!
Q. Not everyone feels comfortable in front of a camera, how do you make your subjects feel comfortable enough to get a great shot?
A. I’m not sure how to explain how this happens… It’s a chemistry, I guess, I have been told numerous times I’m a great director, I always find it funny when people tell me this cause I don’t see myself that way necessarily… I just love the process and once it has begun its just about changing it /narrowing it down until you get what you are looking for.
(photo for H.Studio by Jessy Plume)
Q.When working with a subject/person for the first time, how do you prepare?
A. I like to sit and brainstorm with them, get to know their ideas/personality.
Q. What are your favorite things/people to photograph?
A. I sort of ‘fall in love’ with almost every person I shoot, I obsess for a bit then the next thing comes along. I do continuously however love shooting musicians.
Q. Do you have a favorite camera/piece of equipment?
A. My filters… My favorite cameras are my favorite because they are pretty not because I use them all of the time.
Q. Do you have a certain technique or style that you feel sets you apart from other photographers?
A. I think I do. People always tell me I shoot like ‘film stills’ Im not really sure about that or how I’d even describe my work, but again I think all of my work has a similar/ specific ‘look’.
Q. Where do the ideas and inspiration behind your photos come from? Is there a place you go to to get inspiration?
A. Location wise it is definitely the desert. I have two folders on my computer as well as two scrapbooks…. One of each is titled Amazing Photos one is titled Horrible Photos. I like to look at both to remind me of who is better than me and who I ‘think’ I am better than. Not in general just in instances… Once in a while I’ll see an amazing photo and wish I shot it, sometimes I’ll see a terrible one and think about how much someone got paid to do that and be bummed.
Q. Do you have a preference for black and white or color?
A. It really depends on the shot, I would have to say no. I like it when things look ‘gritty’ no matter what hue/color.
Q. Would you say that you look at the world in a different way than most people?
A. I don’t think I am in any place to judge how anyone sees the world. I think my pictures have ‘a look’ to them and I see other pictures I identify with or am inspired by, but I don’t think of it as necessarily ‘different’.
Featured Photographer – Jessy Plume
A native New Yorker, who self admittedly tends to “fall in love” with almost every subject she shoots, Photographer Jessy Plume is a rare combination of childlike wanderlust crossed with a wise old soul. Upon meeting her you quickly become aware that she gets it. You may not be quite sure just yet of what “it” is, but you are certain she does. You are probably right.
The photographer who counts Joyce Tennison, Avedon, Anabel Vasquez, Tom Waits, and David Lynch as inspirations and people she looks up to expresses no hesitation to go against the norm or think outside the box when it comes to her photography. She is also often guilty of making a habit of getting away to places where she has no cell phone reception.
photo by Jenn Ryan
Plume who first realized photography would be her passion at 16 years of age, now counts Alexandra Von Furstenberg, DANSR, Elmer Ave, H Studio, Love Rebellion, as well as many other designers as clients. The MassArt (Boston) and Art Center (Pasadena) alumni has also quickly become the go to girl for many LA based bands who want to work with someone who can capture the true spirit of their band’s image and sound.
Nikon and Canon are what this self-described “typical Gemini” prefers to use professionally, but still indulges in using film for personal projects or when the budget and/or concept allow for it. Plume also intimates, “My Holga is always my go to when I’m feeling like I need to get away from all the BS.”
When asked if she feels she sees the world differently from other people Plume responded “I don’t think I am in any place to judge how anyone sees the world. I think my pictures have ‘a look’ to them and I see other pictures I identify with or am inspired by, but I don’t think of it as necessarily ‘different.’ ”
Jessy Plume’s work can be found at www.myspace.com/masadamaya and www.jessyplume.com.
Check back for a Q & A with Jessy next week.
Also all visitors of TRAffIK will get to witness Jessy Plume’s work on a regular basis as she is who captures much of the sights that you will see featured on this site.