“I’m a photographer too!”

The Oscar’s last night reminded me of a story, shared by Stevan, one of our producers. As it goes, he was in a bar and happened upon on a conversation with a nice fellow who apparently was also a working photographer. Stevan did what many of us do naturally, which is to look for clues that we are talking to someone who is at our level professionally or someone who simply talks a lot. No alarm bells were going off…this fellow seemed straight up with consistent references to equipment, style, workflow, what have you.

Stevan was enjoying the exchange and began to think he had happened upon a new relationship that could become valuable professionally as well. This new friend spoke of his focus on celebrity photography and began to name drop, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep, Kevin Spacey and on and on. Suddenly, he remembered that he did have his portfolio in the car, would Stevan like to see it? ‘Sure!,’ Stevan exclaimed…that is excactly what he would like to do. His new friend returned a few moments later with a portfolio/photo album under his arm and placed it on the counter. He began narrating the back story as he showed incredible pictures with amazingly good accesss to top celebrities.

It was obvious this guy was looney tunes however.

Every picture contained celebrites just as promised…but these incredible pictures were obviously captured in someones living room. He had been taking pictures of his television set. No attempt to crop out the TV or improve the quality…this was straight up….creepy. Now what do you do? Stevan had a choice to make- confront the guy with the obvious issue or simply extract himself from the situation as quickly, politely (and safely) as possible. Was this a set up? There was an urge to look for hidden cameras. To brace for the big reveal that must happen next. Nothing happened. So there he sat, looking at pictures of this guys TV set…page after page as this ‘professional photographer’ earnestly shared his innocent(?) delusions.

Congratulation to all the winners from last nights Oscar ceremony. Perhaps you are now a fresh addition to his prized portfolio.

Robb