I wanted to share with you guys these photos I took back 2014 of Rick Ross. For those who don't​ know, Rick Ross is a rapper, turn label​ owner, turn entrepreneur, turn millionaire​. Probably why he thought getting a tattoo that reads, "Rich Forever", under his mouth was a good idea. If you're​ into Hip Hop like I am you probably have heard of him for being a big intimidating​ guy who has gotten to the top of the game by any means.

I got the gig cause my boss at the time needed a photographer to help him out with a random freelance photoshoot he had just landed. I was super pumped when I learned that I was shooting a high profile celebrity​ and celebrated it for about a ten minutes until I learned I was shooting in 2 hours. As someone who had never had to shoot and/or direct anyone other than a family member or friend​, ​I began to get a little scared. I suddenly​ run to all of my equipment​ and light up my set. I begin practicing with my test subject, another friend ​and start saying random commands​ as I shoot. Really I just wanted to practice what I would be saying to him so that he doesn't​ think I'm​ just this 20-year​ kid that doesn't​​t know what he's​ doing. Looking back to it, that probably was an accurate​ statement.

Finally, Ross arrives behind a large group including managers, stylist, security, publicist​, and a barber. Evidently, ​you could feel his presence​ as he walks around​ the room and greets everyone. He gets to me and shakes my hand as he learns from his manager that I will be taking the photographs. He didn't​ have much of a reaction but wanted to get started right away. From that moment I felt like I was of to a bad start.

I immediately​ start snapping my camera​ and pointing at the monitor I had put up so he can see my raw work. I try directing him a bit and telling him what I thought would be cool, but it seemed like he couldn't​ hear me. I think he could, he just didn't​ want to hear me out. I'm​ used to that being the younger guy on the team. He then wants to plug in his music and blast it as he smokes​ inside of our studio. There wasn't​ much budging from our​ team on that since we smoke a lot too haha, but our​​r boss wasn't​ too happy about it at the time. So he lights it up!

I start to relax as I realized that he has done this before thousands of times with all kinds of photographers. I also realized that you need to create a vibe around your subject to make them feel comfy, somewhere they can try stuff and feel themselves out. From that moment on I decided to let him warm up to me as he enjoyed his music. So I snapped...

and snapped ...

In the end, ​the client loved the photos and so did Ross. In fact, ​he loved the photos so much that he later on​ wanted them for his personal references aka his Instagram​. I sent them out to his manager and never heard from them again.

Looking back on the experience it​ got me my foot in the door as far as being able to take studio photos of a high profile artist and gained my 22-year-old​ self some much-needed​ confidence.

Fast forward​ to now, I've photographed​ and filmed a ton of notable​ artist for commercial​ projects. Truly​ I just want to continue to create and have found Steemit as a new form of art for me since I've never blogged​ or shared​​ much of my work in this kind of way. Hope this was enjoyable to y'all​ and will continue post more on here as I get the time.