In the early days of my photography career (1975-1989) I was very influenced by the beauty in Richard Avedon's and        Francesco Scavullo's photography. For years, I exclusively studied Scavullo's lighting styles and black and white photos. Beginning with the exposure of the film, to the hand processing of the negatives, and ultimately to the printing of the master prints, the black and white work was a real art. Because of that, I felt I excelled the most in my black and white photography and printing. Here I'd like to mention another dark room master printer and technician, Joe Meadows from Seattle, to whom I attribute my dark room expertise. Without his watchful eye and guidance I could not have achieved the quality in the beautiful black and white work you see here.

In the 1980s, there was no digital photography, only high end digital imaging workstations used by big publishing houses and color separation companies.

In 1988, Francesco Scavullo came to Seattle for a one-man photo gallery showing in Pioneer Square. I was thrilled for the chance to meet my mentor whose work I admired and studied for so many years. On a mid week evening, I visited the gallery, and by chance it wasn't very busy as on the weekends. I introduced myself to Francesco Scavullo as one of the biggest admirers of his artwork and an avid photography student. We spoke for over an hour, and when the gallery was about to close for the evening, I invited him to visit my photography studio and show him my own work. To my surprise, he agreed to do so and we drove there on the same evening. Scavullo and I spent an hour looking at my black and white prints, mounted  around the 2.000 square foot studio.  My black and white prints ranging in sizes of 24x36 inches and 30x40 inches showed him that I did indeed study his photographic mastery. That evening Francesco Scavullo offered me an assistant photographer's position. Here was an opportunity I could only dream of-working with a world famous photographer.

The timing was also a turning point in my career since I wanted to branch out of photography and begin working with digital imaging technology. I was torn between what was an unknown area and what was a sure successful career with Francesco Scavullo. The greater challenge for me was to see if I could make a career in a new industry-the digital imaging. And so I pursued my career goals.

MORE Links about FRANCESCO SCAVULLO

http://www.scavullo.com/

http://www.scavulloeditions.com

http://www.brazenhussies.com/public_html/goodbye/scavullo.html


Biography


FRANCESCO SCAVULLO was born on Staten Island in 1929 and raised and educated in New York City. He began his career as a professional photographer in 1948.

Acknowledged to be the dominant photographic influence on American fashion and beauty, his photographs have graced the covers of magazines such as Rolling Stone, Life, Time, Town & Country, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Mademoiselle, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Max, et al..

His commissoned portraits include Grace Kelly, Elisabeth Taylor, Barbara Streisand, Kim Basinger, Michelle Pfeiffer, Madonna, Diana Ross, Mary Kay Ash, Gloria Vanderbilt, and many others.

Scavullo has published five books: Scavullo on Beauty, Scavullo Men, Scavullo Women, Scavullo, and his latest, Scavullo: Photographs, 50 Years.

Residing on New York's Upper East Side, he is currently working on a book of nudes.

Permanent Collections

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York
Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas