When I was in grade school, a school photographer once told me, “My, you DO seem to like the camera!”  That was code for, “Get off my stool, kid.  I’ve got a line of other brats waiting outside.”  Imagine my shock, disappointment and disdain when I found out he was only taking ONE picture.  I had brought several outfits along with me.  Looking back, maybe the ascot and smoking pipe were a bit jaunty.

I have never met a camera I didn’t like, provided there’s good lighting, flattering angles and someone who knows what the hell they’re doing behind the lens.  (Otherwise you end up looking like Sarah Jessica Parker.)  Take my dear friend Mindy “MoJo” Myers.  The photo bug bit her when we were in high school.  I was the editor of the yearbook and she was the photo editor.  Together we weaved a tapestry of pictures … many involving crimped hair, banana clips, mall bangs and parachute pants.

Mindy and I remained friends through college where she went off to California to learn the ways of the West.  Every time she came back, she was infinitely more cool and more hip than when she left.  I yearned to be around her.  Us creative types needed to stick together.  She went on to become a well-known photographer in the Midwest … one with a great eye and dynamic sense of self.  Visit www.mindymyers.com to see what I’m talking about.

When Mindy offered to take some new headshots of me, I leapt at the opportunity.  No, I literally leapt on her.  “Get OFF me, you oaf!” she yelled.  After years of being around photographers I knew that was also code for, “Yes, you’re hella-photogenic, Michael, and I’m lucky to take your pictures.”

I picked out 3,200 different outfits to wear — which was eventually narrowed down to 800.  Mindy looked at me blankly.  She selected five ensembles and promptly set fire to the rest.  Well, she IS the professional.

We got started around 5:30pm.  I thought it was because the late afternoon/early evening sun would flatter my visage.  Well, that and it had been pouring most of the day, Mindy noted.  I asked MoJo several times to make me look thin and pretty.  “Here!” she said and handed me a glass of wine.  30 minutes later I was thinner and prettier.  Mindy was right!  “This ain’t my first time at the rodeo, princess”, she said as she opened me another bottle of Chardonnay.

I could not be more thrilled with the pictures.  First of all, I look light years younger than I do in real life.  And considering I’m still telling people I’m 35, that’s important.  Second, since I adore Mindy we joked all the way through the shoot.  I knew Mindy was ridiculously talented, but had never seen it in action.  And Mindy had only heard how vain and shallow I can be, but quickly became privy to it.

Thank you, MoJo for helping me look my very best and for being patient that afternoon.  I know when you threatened to impale me with the C-Stand you were only kidding.