I was in international press Nirvana, also known as the Relay H shop of the Avignon TGV train station. Carefully, I approached the January edition of Architectural Digest and began to gingerly flip, flip, flip. “What if she had decided to go ahead with it and just had forgotten to tell me?” I barely let myself wonder, breath baited, scanning quickly, disappointment looming large…no. It was true…close… but no cigar!
What on earth am I talking about? Well, a few months back I received an email from Betsy Horan, the Photo Director of AD. She had interest in some of my photos of L’Isle sur la Sorgue that might be of use for her January issue. Wait, my photos? We are used to dealing with photo requests around here…but for Remi (and as there has been some confusion as of late, let me clarify that the photos on this blog are indeed taken by me, what he does is a whole other level of kitty and kaboodle altogether). How I had blinked in surprise at her email for several seconds in surprise and then split out into the biggest smile. Remi was so proud. And it is worth mentioning that in our small exchange, Ms. Horan could not have been nicer. Further proof as if we needed any that quality rises.
So today’s little Hide and Go Seek was the final confirmation of what I already knew, that the photos were a no go…this time! But how incredibly excited I was to have been contacted. Really and truly.
Well, I will keep moving forward in the right direction…
…but bundled up (our sweet visitor from Australia has been swathed in a puffer) because despite appearances this ain’t L.A. and Baby, it’s cold outside!
Have a great Weekend everyone!
Ooh! ps. I am experimenting a bit with putting comment approval and word verification back on as the spam is getting out of control. Hating it? Don’t mind at all? Any thoughts are welcome…
So…no cigars to hand out this time, but she has noticed you! You must feel so proud of that! I love your photos. To me, your images are not so much journalistic as poetic. You notice details and have a sense of colour and unusual light. Keep going!
Cheers,Deborah – Melbourne
Heard this one today: you can't stumble if you're not moving.
Oh wait, that doesn't make sense.
Anyway, regarding AD…these things have a way of taking a loooooong time, as you know. You might hear from her a year from now.
Until then, keep movin' Sister!
Bonne Weekend!
(continued…)
Just for the record?…..I wrote some VERY polite, sweet, and pleasant, "Thank you for this opportunity" letters to everyone-involved. I should add that all of those letters would leave my family, friends, and anyone who knew cranky-me even moderately-well rolling their eyes. The letters worked, though. I've had two assignments since then—-granted, on far less high-profile publications, but they paid just as well and didn't entail any silly fuss.
I DO wonder why you don't have a website just for your photography, just as surely as Remi has for his work. I'm not entirely sure that Herve and I would necessarily have bought three of Remi's pieces if we had to scroll through Remi's musings/writings/etcetera. Art Directors, as a very general rule, aren't particularly interested in reading when they're shopping. Trust me; I've learned that the hard way.
In any case…..congratulations, once again. Do I need to repeat my self and say, once again, that I don't see why you should feel anything but excited to be able (as you obviously are) to wear about five hats at any given time?
Admiringly,
David Terry
http://www.davidterryart.com
Dear Heather,
well, first of all…congratulations. I'm lucky in that my first outing into illustration was with the Washington Post Book Review (this was when I hadn't even remotely considered doing this for a living), and the first time my pictures were seen in public was when I was given my first one-man show in a prominent gallery (the owner approached me at a danged barbecue and simply asked if I'd have a show. I told him that was an odd question, since I wasn't an artist). In any case, I simply skipped all the trotting around with portfolios for years, dealing with agents, and begging gallery directors/owners to please just take a LOOK???
In your shoes?….I'd simply concentrate on (and heartily congratulate myself on)having just (and quite successfully) jumped that very high wall ("barrier", more precisely) that divides the folks who are known entitites and those who, however talented, frustratedly remain "invisible" (the word a middle-aged, female pal of mine used recently in regard to herself and her work; I intend to use some clout, pull some strings, strike some bargains,and get her a show, as I've done for others in her situation. Of course, then she'll be on her own…out of the pond of anonymity and into the very shark-y ocean of competitors).
In any case, you've worked for years as an actress (not an utterly different world from that of writers, artists, and photographers), so you probably don't need me to go all Polonius on you at this time. Suffice it for me to say congratulations (and I completely agree with "Suze"s wise comment: "These have a tendency to grow into full-grown shade trees". The fact remains that editors, art directors, and casting-agents don't (with the exception of the genuinely pathological ones, who do exist) actually LIKE/ENJOY telling people that there's no work or place for them. Your job (and I've certainly learned this over the years and any number of supposed "Your BIG Break!"s that didn't exactly jell) is to write a VERY nice letter, thanking the specific person for the opportunity, so that he/she pleasantly recalls you as the person who didn't make them feel bad about one of the less pleasant aspects of his/her job. They'll be calling you back someday….I promise.
Even now, and at this stage of the game for me?…I have an email from a prominent author (her two first books spent a combined three years on the NYTimes bestseller lists, the subsequent three have all been on it, the multi-million dollar movie's been made of one of them, etcetera) asking if she can meet with me to discuss the cover for her upcoming book. Since I like her and her work, I decided to be honest with her…..telling her not to get too excited over my "agreeing" (like I'd argue?) to work with her. It was just 18 months ago that another renowned author (who'd won the Pulitzer prize the previous year) was terribly happy that I was amenable to doing an upcoming bookcover (I don't know why folks seem to act as though I were granting a favor, when this is what I do to pay the mortgage and buy dogfood). I ended up in p-r-o-l-o-n-g-e-d negotiations, discussions, and endless emails with the Art Director of Penguin International….and THAT (after three months) ended up with nothing whatsoever of mine appearing on the cover of any edition. Basically, the whole idea, and quite despite the author's considerable clout, got caught up in an obvious, territorial turf-war between the UK, Australian, and USA art directors…one which neither the author nor THEIR boss seemed able to settle without incurring some serious damage (and consequent professional debt) to any number of egos. Welcome to the world of publishing. As I've known for years, it's a lot like high school (except that you don't get to graduate until you're at least 65, and that's IF you've been successful enough to have saved up retirement money).
(to be continued….)
Oh Yes, ditto what Robin said and Suze too!
Gros Bisous de la grande pomme!
Yup – been there a few times myself…but not AD. Wow! You should feel great that she called you in the first place. It will happen soon enough.
Everyone here loves your blog, your photos…your indefatigable spirit! So – don't worry about it. At all!
Linda
That is so exciting, Heather. I think your photos are pretty spectacular. You go, Girl. You'll get there!
Yes, my dear, keep moving forward. These seeds have a tendency to sprout into full-grown shade trees. Next time!
Have a beautiful weekend, H.
That is exciting and not surprising – I'll bet we'll see your photos in a magazine soon enough! I'm sorry for the disappointment, but I guess twas not to be at this time – I predict another offer will come along this year! A little sign, though, from the universe, that you are doing good work and people are noticing – in case you had any doubt! Love from one of your biggest fans! : )
Hello Heather:
Gee, shucks, fiddlemejig [or some such]. Indeed, insert a suitable expression of deep disappointment which we certainly have for you in this situation. Have been there, but not with photography, got the tee shirt and, like you of course, have picked ourselves off the floor and carried on. Who needs these people?
Kellemes hétvégét – and open a bottle of wine!