Sep 28 2009
Mose, session 1
Two things about me:
- I like taking photos of people
- I’m socially anxious at times
I do this weird thing where, even though I have a bit of social anxiety, I like to put myself in situations where I’m pushed out of my comfort level. I guess it’s a mild degree of self-torture or something. So a year ago, I decided to combine this with my love of photographing people and I placed an ad on Craigslist offering free publicity photos to local musicians. I guess I thought it would be interesting to have someone other than my poor guinea pig Blake to pose for me, but at the same wasn’t really expecting anyone to answer my ad since I’m not a professional photographer and only do this for kicks.
However, one-third of a local Pittsburgh hip hop group replied and said they were game. There were lots of texts exchanged, and even one meeting with one of the members, Mose, but no dates and times for a shoot were ever cemented. Nearly a year later, Mose contacted me and was all, “Hey let’s try this again,” and even though he still couldn’t get the rest of the group to commit, I finally met up with him yesterday at Arsenal Park and helped him out with some publicity shots for his solo work.
Mose made the experience very pleasant because he’s extremely easy to talk with and I wasn’t all, “OMG I’m going to have a panic attack.”
I’m a secret smoker, and Mose shared his cigarettes with me. Seriously, I refuse to smoke in front of Henry even though I was a smoker for the entire first half of our relationship. I quit when I got pregnant. I didn’t become a “recreational” smoker until I started working full time 6 months after Chooch was born, and then became embroiled in the suicidal underbelly of a creative non-fiction class at Pitt. It seriously pissed Henry off, but it kept my fingers from finding the handle of a hatchet. Blake will blatantly smoke right in front of Henry, but I always try and hide it behind my back. It’s pathetic, really. Like he’s my fucking father.
There’s more to come! He was a great sport, and his music is fantastic so you should all check it out!
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11 Comments so far
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First of all- these photos are awesome. And for someone who does this for fun… you are REALLY talented. I love the way you see things, and just love what you do. You were able to capture so many different looks and feels with him.
Also- I like his music. If I was to ever be an actual rapper, I’d hire him!
Thank you! His music is really great. I told him that the next time his rap group, Jail Cell, play somewhere, that I’ll go. You should come too!!
These really are good nd not just because you aren’t creeped out and try to prevent me from e-stalking you all the way from Cali. I really like the last three the best.
I love you, Misty! E-stalk away:)
P.S. Your blog HATES me. I tried commenting on your spider post, and no matter what option I choose, I get an error. Actually, it’s not your blog. It’s blogger. Blogger’s out to destroy all of my internet friendships by preventing me from commenting on their blogs.
The second one is my favorite. No, the one with the guitar. Damn, you’re good. Why can’t you come to California and take pictures of me pouring pee? (jealous) I’d buy you a carton of smokes and take you to gay bars. SO Many handlebar moustaches!
Dude. I would have so much fun photographing you because I know you’d be down for some crazy, fake-blood pandemonium!
Oh! These are really great! I’m a sucker for black and whites, so I like those the best- the second one and the one with him and the guitar are my favorites. You maybe have another calling here, on top of your writing and art.
Thanks, but no “calling”! It’s just a hobby like all the others, but the only one that doesn’t stress me out.
The out of focus background really works well here. These ARE good!!
Mose reminds me of Troy Polamalu! EE!
Thank you!
Polamalu! He’s the only football player who doesn’t make me angry, so that’s a good comparison!