Back in January, when the weather was still much colder than now, we came up with the concept for this. Kevin needed to create a single image of him that would then be used on his new website. We had 90mins together in the streets of Bricklane. The shoot went smoothly and we went, on the fly, through about 5 or 6 setups. Good communication all along. And we effectively worked together to create the one image that would fit the brief.

After the shoot, and a first run through, Kevin and I created a set of under a dozen shots to choose from. At the edit stage, it’s important to take a bit of distance and re-focus. And in the end, the final image we went for is here:

And you can check his website on here: http://www.kevinleo.com – where this image is used.

BACKGROUND: “Massive artist, mercury nominated – few uk rappers have such a influence on UK Black music. Plus he is one of my favourite artists so the piece is close to my heart. Listen to the Album ‘Special Kind of Fool’ .and  a couple of extra tracks from previous albums. he has worked with De la soul, Arrested Development amongst others.”

here are some good videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfDKQTrJBnU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mJzWXD7vho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdvJCYtIVv0

CONCEPT: Intimate.. drinking tea… sitting at table of a typically English cafe. Maybe eating a platter of Sausage and Mash. Some candids and a couple of photos of the interview.

RESULT: With the feature from the interview, in here, on beatnik Online! You can check out more about TY on his website and follow him on Twitter. Put the volume up!

So I joined Beatnik Online, a wonderful adventure to me, a place where I am free to express my creativity and explore new ways of portraying people on the music scene. The team is young and motivated, passionate and very simply put: Extremely good at what they do!

And guess what: IT IS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!!

So far, 2 features I have shot are online, Click on the links for the review:

Dam Funk:

Maverick Sabre:

There should be much more to come as the magazine is just launched. But since all I have been doing lately is not suitable for the blog, I thought i’d update you all on why the quietness!

Last thing, for those who haven’t already, follow me on twitter so we can connect and I can update you of all the news and interesting stuffs to come!

this is a little unusual but I got a slot on the 4th Plinth in Trafalguar Square. It’s this coming Friday (9th Oct. 2009) between 7pm and 8pm. For more info, read on there: http://www.oneandother.co.uk – Thanks to my Girlfriend Ilana, it was her initiative (as always, she has the best ideas!)

Now, since i’ve been really lucky, it falls at the exact time of the weekly live show on Sky arts and will be streamed live (like any other “performances”) on the One And Another website as well as on sky arts. So there is a chance I’ll be interviewed as well! Me! Interviewed!? lol

Let’s really hope for no rain. Imagine the laugh! All soaking wet, for an hour up there on the plinth!

I will be doing a few things up there.

• I’ll be taking photos, of course, of you people and the surrounding! At the end of the day I am a photographer! And I will be using a very old medium format that used to be used by press photographers in the late 1940′s. It’s a Graflex Speed Graphic Press camera, and looks every little bit old like… really old! It will be my first use since a good friend of ilana’s mum gave it to me. And it produces massive slides almost the size of an A5!

• We’ll be doing a sing along on the song “Smile“, also known as the Charlie Chaplin song… Thx to ilana, cause i wouldn’t know how to organize that myself! So come along and learn the words, we’ll be singing our heart out! and follow her on twitter for the latest info about her upcoming events!

• I’ll be promoting a project put together by Jeremy Cowart called Help-portrait. The idea being to find people/charities that could do with free quality portrait and give them the photos for free. It will take place on the 12th December 2009 and this will be my attempt to get as many people involved as possible! We need photographers who are willing to give their time for free. We need Locations! Photographic Studios, empty rooms or any cool place we could use on the day. Of course, all that for free! And we’ll need people to photograph: charity, youth movement, people in need… Anyone in need! I even got a T-shirt made for that which i’ll be wearing on the day!

Here is a little video to explain all about the Help-Portrait project:

For more info, here are a few links:

The One and Another website, to catch the streaming live: http://www.oneandother.co.uk

The help portrait website: http://www.help-portrait.com

The help-portrait community website to get involved: http://community.help-portrait.com

the place I got the T-shirt made: http://www.eastlondonprinters.com (thx to Brian, you’re brilliant!)

My twitter (if you want to spk to me while i’m up there!):  http://twitter.com/romainkedochim

And to spread the love, you can email or tweet and retweet this post using this shrot url: http://bit.ly/3wxPjJ

EDIT: a little review on londonnet as well http://www.londonnet.co.uk/news/2009/oct/smile-flashmob-heads-4th-plinth-trafalgar-square.html

We took Kate to a lovely spot not too far from home and started with some lovely natural portraits and then moved from location to location:

Kate, what can I say? Brilliant!

And people, stay tuned for more to come…

Hope you guys enjoy it!

Thanks To Liran for his amazing attitude and smile and for making it so easy!

More to come soon!

More info about Rachel:

PRESS

“shoo Records a fresh and uplifting music label, based in London. For its first release you’ll be served with a track called ‘Mood for Love’ by Vic Miranda feat. Rachel Huggins and a vibrant remix by High Spies (USA)” Sandra Lastrel, Stereooxid Records/Shoo Records.

BIO

Rachel is a singer, songwriter & musician from south London and has just completed the process of recording her debut album. The collection is of produced tracks and live recordings featuring some of London’s finest musicians including Alcyona Mick (Piano) and Andrew Mclean (Drums). It also features a duet written and performed with Kevin Mark Trail. Her main instruments are Piano and Voice. Her musical style is grounded in gospel, soul and jazz.  Rachel aims to be a successful British recording artist as well as a writer to the stars and has been fortunate to have one of her songs recorded by Leona Lewis who went on to winning 2006’s X-Factor competition.

SHOWS

Rachel has performed with many artists including: Kevin Mark Trail, ELOVA, Jonas, Lea Lea Jones, Ilana Lorraine, Selvin Thomas and Alex Holland

Rachel has performed at many venues including: The Halo Bar, HMS President, The Pigalle Club, Jazz Cafe, Sound and The Scala.

To hear songs from my forthcoming album please click on any of the links below.

http://twentyfirstcenturylovestory.blogspot.com/
www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/100752
www.myspace.com/rachellisahuggins

And if you liked the artwork for her album, you can check out her designer, BrandNu.

Now, let’s get to the photos:

In an attempt to enhance a little my portrait portfolio, I would like to offer a free portrait session to the first say… 5 people commenting on this post! You only need to tell me that you are up for it, and when is it that you are free for an early morning session! It’s usually around 7 or 8am for a little over an hour. Oh, and you need to be in London  I suppose, or not too far :)

So go on, take advantage of this. There is no trick of any sort. This is pure bartering! I get a free model (probably mostly friends ahah) and you get free photos! I’ll provide you with a selection of 5 to 20 shots (depends on what comes out best!), in full size, ready for print. I can also print them for you if it makes things easier.

To see what I am offering, check the shoot with Roxane and the one with Caroline (akon as well?). The idea is to stick to that sort of thing, plus maybe a few 3/4 and full lengh shots.

Btw, first one who has taken the offer is Rachel Huggins. She is a good friend of Ilana and I, and is a wonderful and amazing artist herself. Her new album is coming out really soon, you can check her out on myspace. So Rachel, get ready for next week!

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Love to all.

EDIT: No more room, all is booked. I will post some result as it comes. Thanks to all the respondants and see you all soon!