The Stunning Frances Rivera

This past Sunday, on August the 14th, I had the incredible pleasure of photographing Boston's most stunning news anchors. But let me talk first about how it all happened. I like to on a regular basis look at people that we see everyday of our lives and what they would be like to photograph them even if they aren't "A MODEL", but could be one.

For me as a person because of my age and maybe experience that I have been through I have set a no limits precedence. Meaning I will never say, "Oh they would never photograph with me. So why bother asking." Until I get an answer of "No, Sorry". That is when I stop. But if you really want to work with someone then there should be nothing stopping you.

So a few months ago after joining twitter and many of the other social networks I decided that I really wanted to photograph Frances Rivera. I watch her everyday on Channel 7 in Boston and she is like my break in the night. Sit back for a half an hour between work I'm doing and just relax listening to the news. So I thought to myself how cool would it be to photograph Frances. She's incredibly stunning and just has such a sophisticated demeanor. Mind you this was based on her apparence. She has a keen sense of fashion and so what is the worst she will say, NO? I added her on Twitter or I might of already had her on Twitter and then also emailed the news station about possibly doing a photo shoot for me.

I waited a little while and then I got the nicest email from her. Saying how honored she was that I would want to take her picture. I didn't expect that at all. I was expecting, "Are you crazy, everyone wants to take my picture, so get in line." But No Frances was and is the sweetest person. She was absolutely flattered that I would want to take her picture and so we set up a date.

In the meantime I emailed her my web site and a lot about me so she didn't think I was some psycho stalker or something.

Over the course of about two months we went back and forth about dates. Her schedule and mine were pretty crazy at the time. Then one day I saw she had posted on Twitter and Facebook that she was moving to New York. I was heart broken. I was thinking, "Just my luck. She isn't going to want to do the photo shoot any more." I had emailed her and she was still so very excited. So by now we had a date in the books and a time.

She wanted to have her picture taken with a view of the Boston Skyline to show people how much she cared about all the years she worked in Boston and how much she appreciated all the people that watched her on a daily basis. She loves Boston! It's been her home for over ten years now.

So on a somewhat beautiful Summer Day we met on Memorial Drive. I really didn't know what to expect. As up to this point we still never talked or met. It was all emails back and forth. I was expecting the same "Professional Frances" to show up and we'd shoot a few pics and she would be on her way.

So we both got there a little late but she was the one that was very apologetic. It was like I was doing her a favor but really she was the one doing me a favor. We both parked and I was in awe at what a truly sweet, kind, down to earth person she was. It was as if we had known each other for years. She instantly offered to help carry some of my photo equipment, which I was totally shocked by. Who was I? Or I should say how lucky was I. Frances and I ended up finding a great spot on Memorial Drive overlooking the city she loves.

We  talked about everything from things going on in our lives to talking about our kids. It was incredible because you forget now that this is the stunning newscaster you watch every night to just a beautiful person that you are photographing.  And of course we talked about her move. She's leaving Boston to be closer to her family and to do more of what she loves, talking to celebs and talking about fashion. Who wouldn't want that job?

I was thinking originally that she would want to shoot for a half hour and be gone. Well two hours later we finally got the shots that we both wanted. She had told me that it will always be a memorable week for her because of all the incredible people she has met in Boston and the outreach of fans and support about leaving Boston and now she really appreciated me being apart of that week in which we did a photo shoot showing her love for the city. For me personally I'll never forget it because the woman I watch every night on TV turned out to an incredible person in real life. It's hard in life to find people that you really click with and could talk to on a regular basis without worrying about how you are going to be judged. Frances turned out to be such a "Real" person. Genuine, kind, laid back with no fake strings attached. She kept on thanking me for doing the photo shoot But I can't be more thankful to her for someone that has very little time in her schedule to spend some of that with me to help me out with pictures for my portfolio. She is truly a gift.

I just want to add that I'm the one that is always the crazy thankful one. Racing home just to thank the person that I photographed. By the time I got home, Frances sent me a text to thank me for taking the time to photograph her. That just shows you what kind of a person she is. INCREDIBLE!!!

I thank you Frances from the bottom of my heart and hope we will be friends for many years to come. By all the messages on Facebook you can tell that you will be greatly missed but know that we are all rooting for you in New York and can't wait to hear about all the new exciting things you are going to be doing in your new adventures in life.

Unselfish Kindness of a Photographer

Last Thursday night I got invited to Ned Devine's in Boston by Kim Ring, President and owner of Ring Communications. Kim was organizing an incredible fashion show for hundreds of people. The fashion show, entitled, "The Prodigy Fashion and Trunk Show" was for Santi DeOleo who is the President and Founder of the Modus Collection Clothing Line. 

There were many photographers present at the event. We had the pleasure of photographing celebrity guest models Mike Giardi, Anothony Sherrod Blakely, and Mary Paoletti from Comcast SportsNet, 

Tyisha Fernandes from Fox 25 News,  




and Chanty who played Karen, Christian Bale's girlfriend, in the Oscar nominated movie "The Fighter".


Also modeling for Modus Collection was Jessica Baybutt, Brittany Rose, Pasi Knuutila, Chris Amirault, Rebecca Ring, Monique Borges, and two incredible B-Bop MTV dancers. 

The night was supplied with incredible Music by DJ Cesar Barros who kept everyone wanting more. 




And we can't forget the person responsible for making every model look absolutely incredible, Debra Macki and her crew of talented Hair and Makeup artists.

But the main reason, on top of what an incredible night and event this was, for me writing this blog was because of an incredible photographer, Brina Healy. Photographers have a hard enough time keeping track of their own images never mind what other photographers are doing. Brina did what I call the ultimate in unselfish behavior as a person and as a fellow photographer. I was leaving the next morning for North Conway and wouldn't have time to post produce my images. That night, after the event, I got home and sent Kim all my images as fast as possible without cropping or touching the images at all. Total Raw images. Brina knows all the work that can go into exposure correcting and cropping and making your photos look incredible. 

So while she worked on her images she also did a few of mine that I was deeply touched by. The incredible unselfish behavior of a fellow photographer should never go unnoticed. On top of everything she did she also took the time to give me copyright credit. Above are the before and afters. So I want to personally thank Brina for taking the time to make me look good. It meant a lot to me and felt the need to write this blog to spread the good word of kindness. If you are ever looking for a Headshot, Event Photographer, Actress, Vocalist please contact this incredible unselfish person. She can be reached at 508-345-8832 or email at mousepumper@yahoo.com.

I also want to thank Kim Ring again for all the incredible hard work she did to make this an unforgettable event for all.

To see images from the fashion show check them out on Facebook.  "The Prodigy Fashion and Trunk Show"

Thanks,

Russ

www.RussMezikofskyPhotography.com

Facebook: Russ Mezikofsky Photography

First Time Blogging About Me

I've started blogging to of course create a voice for my images. I'm a photographer that believes in taking pictures of what I believe is beautiful in this world. A lot of time we go through life and we don't stop to look at all the beauty that surrounds us. My hope in life is to capture enough images so that I can finally make a living doing what I love to do and say to everyone that I've never worked a day in my life.
I find you should photograph as much as possible even if you don't have a subject. Reach out and find one. There is plenty around us. A lot of time just changing your lens can get you into a whole new world. Depending on my mood and subject I love to shoot with my 100mm macro lens to see the details that you usually wouldn't see unless your eyes were implanted into the object.
The beauty is there you just have to find it, light it, and shoot it. Eventually you will create a portfolio that you are sure to love. I find many of my family and friends just love to have them frames as presents. Change the color to a nice Sepia and it can make all the difference in the world. Good luck with your shooting and finding what you believe is beautiful in your life.
Thanks,

Russ