Lemon Pepper Wings and a Prayer
I got an email on July 9, 2018, and the subject was pretty interesting "photo shoot in ATL for HIV criminalization efforts for cover of TPAN?." I saw the email, but was so incredibly busy that Monday afternoon I didn't get to read it right away. Then, life got in the way, so I didn't actually read this email until July 11th. (Lesson, keep everything, even email reminders, on your task list. I haven't perfected this yet, but I am actively working on it.)
I was thrilled to learn that I'd been referred to shoot a cover for a national magazine called Positively Aware. They were doing an issue on HIV Criminalization, and my name had been floated as someone to work with. I, of course, jumped at the idea. This is an issue I spend a lot of time on currently.
I spoke to the client, accepted the gig, sent a contract and felt assured, but still nervous. Of course I began immediately overthinking it. If you've spent more than a minute with me, you know exactly why. (Lesson, push through even when your unsure or nervous.)
The coordination of the cover seemed daunting, but the universe conspired to let me be great.
A post shared by Johnnie Ray Kornegay III (@jayrayisthename) on Sep 19, 2018 at 9:20am PDT
The location (The National Center for Civil and Human Rights) agreed to let me shoot inside the museum. CHECK
The models all agreed to the date. Hell, one of the models (the brilliant Robert Suttle) even agreed to get on a plane, fly to Atlanta, do the shoot and fly home the same day. CHECK CHECK
All of my equipment the day of worked flawlessly. CHECK
Most important, the client was pleased with the outcome. In fact, they gave a review:
"What makes Johnnie such a pleasure to work with are his ideas, initiative and ability to collaborate. He brings an enthusiasm to a project, exchanging ideas, following direction while offering his own ideas. What's more, he comes through in delivering the final product. Johnnie is an excellent partner to work with in the collaborative creative process."- Rick Guasco
Creative Director
Positively Aware Magazine
The cover is gorgeous! I hope you like it too. I said at the top of the year that I wanted to do more magazine work. In January my work was featured in WUSSY. In April my work was featured in DAZED. Now this.
Remember to push through, even when you're nervous. The reward is worth it.