Micro memoriam
The death of Patrick Swayze, Michael Jackson, Dominick Dunne, Senator Ted Kennedy and others had made me newly aware of the value and career depth of taking portraits and having models sit for studio series of images. Whether or not you ever use the suite of pictures is immaterial, the usage of the shots may one day be relevant.
 Just ask that guy who took the last shots of Marilyn Monroe. if you Google ‘Bert Stern” you will see his name automatically fills with the Last Sitting and Marilyn Monroe. that was one sitting in a career of them. Nobody knew those photographs would become the defining image.
A courtesy sitting of an up and coming actor may yield career gold. Those shots maysome day be of relevant value. The young and beautiful face before a career of experience settles over it may be in demand in this media hungry world sooner than you think. This may seem overly cynical to some, yet is basic career advice to an artist. Career portraiture is the professional device of many famous artists.
Mario Testino has  been ushered into the pantheon of greats by the weight of his signature portfolios of Princess Diana. Even AntonyArmstrong-Jones made a photography career out of portraits of his wife (Princess Margaret) and the Royal Family. Pictures of family or friends of famous people will always have value in the media age we live in. A well composed image in good condition may be a career maker.
To establish a career in photographic portraiture, volunteer your portfolio and offer to work with young actors and artists. Look for opportunities to find people who are unique and ambitious, or simply those who catch your eye. Mount your portraits in a separate area online and actively cultivate an ability to work with live models as the subject of the photograph.
Today, a poetic black and white shot of Patrick Swayze heads the masthead of major news portals online. Celebrity photography is indeed all about access. But actively looking to make images that are model photography that is subject portraiture will enhance any photographer’s skill set.
