To reminisce a bit, one of my favorite photo assignments has to be the one where I was asked to photograph Vester Marshall for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (before its extremely unfortunate demise). This was a fairly routine assignment for a routine feature (photograph a Seattle person once involved in sports, a feature the P-I called “Where Are They now?”). Here’s the photo – read on for the “behind the scenes” story:
So, I was sent out to Belltown (a section of downtown Seattle known for its artsy ways) to photograph Mr. Marshall. Here’s an excerpt about my experience from a blog I kept while I was at the P-I:
“Turns out, Vester was a former Sonics player in ’74 and is now an ordained priest, yoga instructor, artist and herbalist…
And he’s AWESOME! He takes me up to his little L-shaped studio in Belltown and it’s amazing. I walk into a cloud of incense smoke and find the place totally packed to the gills with weird stuff on the walls…like saxophones for instance. His counters are jewelry display cases, though he displays a multitude of other things besides jewelry in them. His bed is covered in a rich red comforter, and he’s got tasseled pillows all over it. He’s such a chill dude and very happy to be photographed. So I’m immediately at ease, as is he.
I take some shots in his place, and then he asks if we can get a shot of him with the space needle in the background. Ohhh, sure, why not. I’ve got time – this is my last assignment and it’s only 1:30.
So we walk around Belltown looking for a good vantage point. On the way, we’re walking and talking (and people are staring…this guy is TALL – he must be close to 7 feet tall!…plus, he’s eccentric…wears a long velvet coat with shiny buttons, a 4-string pearl choker, a wide brimmed black hat, dark sunglasses and has a carved cane…yeah. It also helped that I was walking around with 2 huge cameras. We didn’t draw any attention or anything…nahhh..)
Anyway. So, we’re walking and talking when I see a bright yellow wall. Bing!!!! Yellow wall! He’s wearing all black! There’s a cool window thing! What great contrast!
So I have him stop and chill in front of the wall while I stand in the middle of the street to get the shot. (I ask him to kindly let me know if I’m going to be hit by a car.)
And it’s great! I LOVE IT!
We do the space needle shot, but it’s not nearly as interesting.
We head back to his place where I grab my bag and thank him for being such a great subject. He’s thrilled and asks for a hug, so he gives me a big hug and kisses me on the top of my head (because he’s so TALL) and says, “Ok, sweetie! Thank you so much! You’re a fantastic photographer! It was wonderful to meet you! Good luck!”
That was SUCH a great day. He was so sweet and my editors at the P-I went crazy over my photos. Turns out, they love yellow walls, too. :) Anyway, it’s fun to share the stories behind my favorite photos. Be on the lookout for more to come! Or, let me know if you’ve got a favorite photo and want to hear the story behind it. Trust me – there always is one!
In the meantime, I’m looking forward to my portrait session with Valerie in a few weeks – should be great!
Cheers,
-Kristine
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My dad worked at the P-I in as a “linotype specialist,” a now extinct position. His father began and owned a weekly newspaper in Ronan, the Ronan Pioneer. Dad took it over, but sold it in the 1970′s and went to Seattle and the P-I. He has passed away. http://www.woodsidepress.com/LINOTYPE.HTML
Dad graduated from the University of Montana in Journalism in the early 1950′s. Now my daughter, Jessa Loman Linford, is at U of M as a senior photo journalism student and plays for the Lady Griz. She did an internship at the Missoulian. She spent last summer in Kyrgystan working for a program called “International War and Peace.” Glad it was last year since there is uprising going on there now.
Anyway, LOVE this photo and the story behind it. I am following your Facebook page and blog. You are an inspiration to me and I am sure to so many others. Thank you for sharing and best of luck in all you do.
Thanks Merle! Such kind words – thank you! I’m very flattered! That’s so interesting about your dad working as a linotype specialist for the P-I. That’s one thing that I’ve always loved about newspapers – they seem to be such a family thing. It breaks my heart that it seems that they’re slowly slipping away. But who knows what will be next – hopefully it’s big, bold and beautiful like newspapers were in their heyday. That’s wonderful that your daughter is involved in journalism as well. It sounds like she’s already had some wonderful experiences! Thanks for following my posts – I always welcome comments and feedback! I wish the best to you too!