I SHOT LISARAYE!

This image stands today as one of my most iconic images given its widespread recognizability in urban hollywood. Warner Bros. negotiated a usage fee to dispay it on the set of LisaRaye's Sitcom - "All Of Us" produced by Wil and Jada Smith.

I remember shooting this image in my home studio all the way back in 2000 when I was still a bit unsettled around the popular types. LisaRaye remains a friend of mine today as she enjoys her marriage to Mark and her life in Turks & Caicos as the "First Lady"!. They recently launched the Turks & Caicos International Film Festival in Atlanta and T&C.

LisaRaye is a beautiful woman and a talented actress who continues to show appreciation for her god given gifts through acheivement in life. I was introduced to LisaRaye and Lynn Jeter(her former Publicist) at Lynn's Office by my good friend Dame Lee who I gave a ride there. He was supposed to play in a Celeb. basketball game that LisaRaye was making an appearance and speech at. I ended up trailing with them for the entire day and had my firs shoot with LisaRaye a couple of weeks later when the subject image was captured.

I hope to have her in front o my lens soon. We shot several time over the years as I worked closely with her on her image campaigns. You go Girl!

Tech Note: This image was shot on Kodak 100SW 35mm Slide Film with a Nikon N90s fitted with a 80-200/2.8 Nikon Lens. I used one 300W Novatron with an umbrella and a light orange gel taped over the dish of the strobe. A gold reflector was used just below the cameara frame to balance the overhead angled stobe. The iso was set to 25 and the film was developed "normally", ie, two stops of overexposure. You know, glamor! It's Hollywood baby!

Dexter Browne
3232945594
brownephotography@yahoo.com
www.dexterbrowne.com
www.myspace.com/dexterbrowne

I Will Always Remember You RICK [James]

I will always remember you Rick. I remember the first time we met. You just had your medical heart device installed and you were recovering at Cedar Sainnai Hospital just down the street from the Beverly Center. We were supposed to shot that day but of course you were incapacitated from your recent stroke, or were you? You called me this same day to let me know of your resulting circumstance which prevented you from showing up. You said that you were mad that you couldn't be pressing on with your projects. You invited me to your hospital room and of course I raced there to meet the man I considered to be the greatest ever. I arrived and saw you enjoying some conversation with your wife Tanya(now x-wife). You greeted me with the enthusiasm of a young man and I greeted you with the enthusiasm of a young boy - I am still your biggest fan! You knew how much I loved you and you lived up to everything I had imagined. You invited me to unveil my tucked camera then showed me one of the greatest performances in front of my lens, even in your moment of weakness. You stayed in touch with me and arrived at my house a month later so we could finally do a shoot our way. You gave me the full Rick and I was speechless. You really gave it up on the last two exposures I took. The shot with the joint and the shot with your back turned to me. You invited me for several Sundays to cook curry chicken for you, your family and friends. You invited me on other occasions when you just wanted someone to talk to. You spoke to me of the several religions you studied. You sang and played your guitar live for me in your room to "Hollywood"! You introduced me to everyone as if it was I introducing YOU to one of my friends. You gave me much insight about the world. You had me taste your signature sangria before you passed it around. You were always kind and accomodating to my family and friends. My oldest daughter, Lexi, always finds a way to bring your name up. She remembers all your parties. She was two. I have three daughters now. You made some posters of the shot with the joint we made in Marina Del Rey and you signed it: "Your bro forever"-Rick James. I am your bro forever and I will always remember you Rick. I speak regularly with Ty [daughter] as our friendship grows stronger and her music soars higher. You would be so proud of her. Hell, it was because of her that I met you. I spoke with little Rick a couple of times and I try to keep tabs on Taz who is quickly becoming a man. He is hanging with his grandparents and loren. I spoke with "Little Rick" a couple of times and I have faith that he will find his way in this world. Loren and your godson Ryan got engaged. I will put one up at the wedding for you. I met with Penny and Teena to discuss a proposal a couple of months ago. They are healthy as ever-strictly vegetarian. Teena's [Marie] album is doing well of course. I went to one of her concerts on Father's Day and she spent a lot of time talking about and thanking you RJ. Everyone from Old Navy to Chevrolet to Jay Z are bumping your songs dog. You sir, will truly enjoy eternal life. Rest in peace Rick. I will always remember that I observed a lot more in you than the empty gossip that the media may sometimes suggest. You were not perfect but then, who is? You must have been great to have so many haters. You must have been great to make so many hits. You were cold blooded yet kind hearted. I remember how you changed the energy in every room you stepped into, and of course, the world forever. I am sure Mary is still a good friend of yours. You snatched Hollywood by the balls Rick James. I had the honor of viewing and listening to the many files of your recorded history as we prepared some stuff for your estate - produced by you of course. Ty dropped by a couple of months ago and blessed me with a rip of your latest songs so know that show is still going down baby! I have to run for now Rick but know that I will keep you up what's going down. I will always remember you Rick.

P.S. I just started an online TV Network called MyDBTV.com. It is kinda like YouTube and MySpace mixed. I will explain later. You will be proud of me Rick.

Your Boy Forever
Dexter Browne

3232945594
dexterbrownebox@yahoo.com
www.dexterbrowne.com
www.MyDBTV.com

I SHOT VANESSA L. WILLIAMS

Back in the year 2000, not too long after I arrived in LA from Houston, my friend and make-up artist Stacey Gibson showed Vanessa some of my work and arranged for me to shoot some images of her[Vanessa] and her new daughter with Rick Foxx - Sasha. I was exteremely excited. For many years I admired Vanessa's courage in the face of adversity in addition to her undeniable talents as an A-List entertainer. I had driven past Vanessa and Rick's home a couple of times so I knew where it was. I gave myself enough time so I would get there on time - I couldn't afford to f**k this one up. Vanessa gave me and my assistant Keith Collins great energy for the entire shoot. She even offered us a glass of wine before the shoot. It was Christmas time. We got some great photos of both Vanessa and Sasha and this turned out be an annual affair when Vanessa got her Christmas cards ready. My annual visit to Vanessa and Rick's home lasted four years while Rick played with the Lakers. I miss the entire family including the kids who I would have a chance to witness develop over my years of service. I will always remember. Thanks Stacey. Thanks Vanessa. Thanks Rick. The exposure on my work truly benefitted from my work with Vanessa and Rick.

I shot the attached photograph after I daringly asked Vanessa to lay on her stomach on top of her dinning room table. I liked the window light adjacent to it but the table was too heavy to move. The light really showed the color in Vanessa's eyes.

Tech Note: The image was shot on Kodak 100VS 35mm Film with a Nikon 90s 35mm SLR, 80-200/2.8 lens set to 200. The film iso was set to 25 with "normal" development. I had to use a tripod due to the slow shutter speed (50) resulting from the low falsely rated iso of 25. I was simply overexposing the film two stops for less skin detail. The VS on the film stock stands for 'very saturated". I agree!

Forgive my spelling, I type faaaaast!

Your friendly Photographer
Dexter Browne

brownephotography@yahoo.com
www.dexterbrowne.com
www.myspace.com/dexterbrowne
3232945594 - Telephone

I SHOT BOBBY SIMMONS (Milwaukee Bucks) TODAY

Today after shooting Mike Bibby of the Sacrament Kings, I had to haul ass accross town to photography Bobby Simmons and his son in his Condo. They got settle quickly and I cracked off a couple of black and white digital images that they were very please with. I primarily shot closeups because Bobby just had arthroscopic surgery on his ankle and had it elevated on a large foam block to aid recovery. When I got done shooting, I decided to incorporated the injured foot into the composition while Dad and son seem to be enjoying a moment. I liked this shot most. Get well soon Bobby. Your wife and son are great people.

Your Celeb. Photographer
Dexter Browne
brownephotography@yahoo.com
www.dexterbrowne.com
www.myspace.com/dexterbrowne
www.mydbtv.com
3232945594

I SHOT MIKE BIBBY (Sacramento Kings) TODAY!

Today I had an assignment to shoot NBA Superstar Mike Bibby of the Sacramento Kings. I was given a total of 8 minutes to "catch a moment" that would serve as a good publicity shot on some of his upcoming projects. I always go simple so I had Mike remove the fancy designer sweat suit top and photographed him in his white T-Shirt. I had to do all of this just outside the Beverly Wilshire hotel where he was staying but this has become a common scenario for me - odd places with little time - the life of a celeb. photographer. Mike and I spoke briefly about his Mom's (and mine) Trinidadian heritage and before we knew it, time was up with about 25 shots in the bag. I have included one for your viewing pleasure.

PS: Larry King stood just next to me while I was shooting Mike but I resisted the "papparazi" urge in me even though I got a great profile look that would have stood the test of time. Who knows, maybe one day. After the shoot I had to run to Bobby Simmons' Condo to shoot him and his Son. Check out the "I Shot Bobby SImmons" Blog following this one.

Your Friendly Photographer
Dexter Browne

I SHOT SHAUN ROBINSON (of Access Hollywood: NBC)

Yesterday I shot Shaun Robinson of Access Hollywood/NBC at my home in Los Angeles and it was a delightful experience. Besides the obvious beauty of Shaun is her sense of confidence and humanity. She was excited about travelling to Africa later this week to interview Oprah about a new School opening there. Shaun's Mom attended the shoot and added an energy of class and elegance to the room. Good luck on all of your endeavours Shaun and thanks for the interview (for MyDBTV.com) and the chance to have you in front of my lens, vs. in front of my tv dinner table. I will always remember.

Your Boy
Dexter Browne
www.DexterBrowne.com
www.MyDBTV.com
www.MySpace.com/DexterBrowne
brownephotography@yahoo.com
323-294-5594