The Original JT Photography

For those that don’t know me, I’m 6’5″, 230lbs, size 15 shoe, “big black guy”. I’m very laid back emotionally very even and unaffected by most things. I thought the death of Michael Jackson was just another one of those things. When he death was announced, my first reaction was “yeah, I’m not all that surprised… there had to be #3 (Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett..)”

Well, today, that all changed. I had no plans or desire to watch the memorial but when I went downstairs it was already on the t.v. In less than sixty seconds my breathe became shallow and tears came streaming from my eyes. As I continued to watch for the remaining two hours I would continue to weep as if I’d lost a close friend or family member.

My original love in life was and always will be music. I spent a few years as a struggling, professional musician. While watching this memorial it finally sunk in that I was raised on The Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson. My sister, cousins… we had ALL of his records… and I do mean ALL! Simply put, he was family.

I’ve seen recent post where people say things like “I feel no remorse for someone who hurts children..” We all are entitled to our opinions but I think that saying Michael Jackson was an easy target for scandalous, money hungry, vultures would be an understatement. Sure he wasn’t “normal”. Normal people never have to endure what he endured… I’m sure I’m just preaching to the choir and reiterating so i’ll leave it at this.

Michael, you will be missed.

I spent the day working. But, sometimes work is a lot of fun. I was shooting  a scene for Amy Reid. It was also a pool party. I dont want to give any juicy details away before Amy releases the film but I’ll work on a set like that any day. The two highlights of the day were: 1.) Amy’s new puppy “Chewy”, an 8 week old pit with all the swagger of an full grown dog. He was adorable and absolutely hilarious!

2.) Tanner Mays, honestly, you’ll have to se the video to get the scope of that experience. She was also adorable and absolutely hilarious (with a side of annoying) but in her case it wasn’t intentional.. if ya know what I mean.  I think she’s a sweet girl though.

I got to hang with Ashli Orion, who I adore but hadn’t seen in close to a year. She’s grown into quite the amazing performer. Also, had a lot of fun joking around with Kiera King.  I shot first Kiera months ago, she too has grown into quite the vixen.

Half of my day was spent in the pool with an $15,000 video camera in my hands. There were a few close calls when my foot slipped and with people splashing water but over all the camera survived unscathed.

I cant remember the dudes name but one of Justice’s boys came over and went to town on the grill!!! Wait a sec, I just remembered that there was a gang of king crab legs that I never touched! OK, now see, that’s the down side of working!!

So, here’s my first blog for the new site.  I promise they will get more interesting with time.  Right now I’m really just typing and throwing out whatever comes to mind. I’m still trying to figure out all of the features of this blog app.  That, reminiscing to Kraftwerk’s  Its More Fun To Compute off the ”Computerwelt” album (amazing album in retrospect), battling carpal tunnel and playing with Hendrix, my five month old, teething, seventy-five pound, Great Dane puppy, who at this very moment is in full puppy mode and biting my feet while I try to sit and type.

Today was a pretty good day, I went down to the LA convention center for Erotica LA convention.  I got to catch up with some old friends, meet some new ones and see a few hilarious characters. I guess my status in the industry is declining because I had to pay to get in – something I was reluctant to do.  But, if one job comes out of it then it was worth the $12 parking and $35 admission fee.  Soon as I get in line a couple comes up to me, tells me that they have a spare ticket and would sell it to me for $20, saving me $15. Woot woot!! This is a sign of good thing to come… at least that’s what I’m selling myself.  Fox Magazine’s photojournalist at-large Jeff Hudis meets me at the entrance and immediately introduces me to Bobbi Starr, I’d never met her but she was quite a doll.  Jef and I mill through the crowd, oogle a few of our favorite girls and ponder who are all these GWC s!!!??? That’s a whole other topic – one that I WILL address on a later date.  Anyway, first person I run into is the every comical CJ Wright.  I haven’t actually seen CJ in a good year or more but we pick up like two old friends who were on a box cover together. LOL

Most of my time there was spent hanging out at the Justin Slayer booth with Marie Luv – such a cool girl.  I have the pleasure of shooting a g/g scene with Marie and Julia Ann on monday. That is gonna be some HOTNESS!!!  ;-)  Also, I finally met fellow Fox photographer and colleague Shel Black. Seems like a good guy.  I think we may be collaborating on a few projects in the near future.  Quick mentions/shouts to Tori Black(miss your crazy ass), Jessica Bangkok (love that smile), Nato(diggin the fro! lol),  Nikki Hunter (miss working with you), Rane Reveere (hope your feet feel better), Phoenix “Crazy Train Marizzle” Marie(call ya on monday), Kylee Reese (very impressed with the charity thing! VERY, VERY cool of you), Darryl Hanah (call you on monday too!), Ann Marie Rios(let’s make it happen)

I’m gonna stop and come back to this. I need to eat, take a dump, ice my arm and all that good shit……. see ya’ll a little later.