Jay-Z
Puff Daddy
Barack Obama -44th U.S. President
David Patterson 55th Governor of New York
Eric Adams 110th Mayor of New York City
President Barack Obama Pt 2
Cedric The Entertainer, Tracey Morgan, Anthony Anderson
Jussie Smollett and Bryshere Y. Gray From Empire
Cardi B Sean Paul Dj Prostyles Juelz Santana 2017
Bryshere Y. Gray, Raven-Symoné, Jussie Smollett
Joseph Sikora (Tommy), Omari Hardwick (Ghost), Rotimi (Dre) 50 Cent (Kanan) From Power at 50 Cent Birthday Party 2015
Anthony Mackie Angela Basset Courtney B Vance
Kelis and Ashanti 2007
Beyonce 2007
Mr DL Hughley
Rev Al Sharpton and Chris Rock BTS From the Movie "Good Hair"
Floyd Mayweather
Morris Chestnut
Amber Rose
Swizz Beatz Alicia Keys 2009
Jay-ZThe outside pic I talked about in the previous pic. There were maybe 3 or other photographers getting pics inside. So, I wanted a pic no one else was going to have or going to get. I asked him can I get one more for the road? He obliged and that's all she wrote.
Puff DaddyA diddy party is one of the ultimate experiences. My "Rabbi" F.J. and I did so many Puffy/P Diddy parties, it's hard to remember which one is which. I'm going to say 2008 at Mansion For his B day party because according to the metadata, this was taken with my Nikon D300 and that was my camera from 2008-2010. This may or may not be the infamous night where almost everyone got free ciroc bottles. More on this at a later date. Stay tuned.....
Barack Obama -44th U.S. PresidentThe Story: I was doing an afterwork party for a team that will later become known as The JI Group. I approached a group because the looked real good and having fun. They allowed it. They asked to see the photo. For some reason, they were amazed by how colorful and crisp it was. Keep in mind, no one was taking pics with their phones and there was no such thing as a selfie back then. When a real camera took your pic, it was special back then.One of the people at that table was so impressed, he hired me on the spot for something he was doing the next day. He told me, get a better haircut and a suit and meet me at the address that he wrote on the back of his business card. At 1st I was like, I'm not going to show up. I felt dissed by that haircut comment. (lol) Also, I was listening to some public relations person I was hanging with at the time. She always said never make it seem like you are too easy to obtain or get access to cause that lowers your value. I almost followed that advice. I'm also chance taker. SO I took a chance and showed up. It's not like i had anything else better to do at 5pm on a Friday.It was a restaurant in the time warner building. I get interviewed by security in suits (which turns out to be Secret Service) get asked my political affiliations and how do I feel about this and that. I must have answered everything correctly because I they gave me a pass and let me up.I walked in the room and It was like some kind of secret illuminati type meeting. (I Kid you not.) I met with the guy who hired me on the spot the day before. He told me to get everyone in the room, But make sure you pay special attention to that man right there, he is going to be president some day. I didn't know or recognize the man so I said in my head "whatever" That man turned out to be Senator Barack Obama and oddly enough, he really did become President. ( I know right. Who knew)This meeting was so covert and secret that I couldn't even disclose, share or acknowledge that I took these pics until after he announced he was running for president which was almost a whole year later. As I write this, the date is 1/10/2017. Right now, This President is addressing the country for the last time. In 10 days, President Trump is taking over. That leads into the next picture which tells a funny story of fate between Obama and Trump.
David Patterson 55th Governor of New York
Eric Adams 110th Mayor of New York City
President Barack Obama Pt 2So I was only supposed to work 2 hours for the Time Warner Meeting. So Mr Smith (the guy who hired me) Asked me to do one more event with him. So I got invited back to take to take more pics. YAY! What makes the story of this photo so interesting in contrast with today date (1/10/17) this photo was taken at a party in Trump Tower and Trump is now replacing him. It was in some guys apartment. I just remember the guys last name was Boykin.( I wish I kept better notes). During this party, he gave a very good speech and that is when i actually believed, damn. maybe this guy can become President.
Cedric The Entertainer, Tracey Morgan, Anthony AndersonWhen I was at Cooper Union For the Advancement of Science and Art, one of the professors I always seek advice from gave me a good gem. "The purpose of the photographer is not to take the photograph, but to compose it and put it together and make it work. That is exactly what I did with this. I saw them around each other on some passing by and hi type convos and and had to put them together. I didn't ask. I told them. I need to get this. I'm honored they did it for me.
Jussie Smollett and Bryshere Y. Gray From Empire The show debuted January 2015. I took this March 2015. The show was the hottest thing that year. You couldn't tell a cast member of the show they weren't hot. So hot that they had a soundtrack release party for them. That's an amazing thing because by this time, soundtrack and album release parties were dead and extinct. The industry was not investing in those kind of parties at all after 2011. A lot of the cast members where at the party. I caught these 2 together in the Q & A they were having in the green room.
Cardi B Sean Paul Dj Prostyles Juelz Santana 2017
Bryshere Y. Gray, Raven-Symoné, Jussie Smollett Continuation from the last photo. I made my way on the stage for the performance. After they did a great job, I wanted to get them together before they all separated. If i remember, Raven reposted this on her instagram.
Joseph Sikora (Tommy), Omari Hardwick (Ghost), Rotimi (Dre) 50 Cent (Kanan) From Power at 50 Cent Birthday Party 2015Power was the other hot show for 2015 besides Empire. While everyone compared them, I saw no reason why these shows had to be pitted as competitors. They couldn't be more different and it's not like they came on at the same time. Anyway, this night was a lot of fun and these good gentleman cooperated. You can tell by the photo, they are having the time of their lives and it's a good time for them to be alive. Can't ask for anything more from anyone.
Anthony Mackie Angela Basset Courtney B VanceNotorious Movie Release Party
Kelis and Ashanti 2007
Beyonce 2007
Mr DL Hughley
Rev Al Sharpton and Chris Rock BTS From the Movie "Good Hair"
Floyd Mayweather
Morris Chestnut
Amber Rose
Swizz Beatz Alicia Keys 2009
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