Cleveland Magazine Interesting People 2015

Once again, it was Cleveland Magazine’s issue of the Most Interesting People. This year instead of a group photo, we photographed three people in three separate shoots. We have a chef, a news anchor and a football player. The process of scheduling for three individual shots is a lot harder than just one big shoot.

First we photographed Ben Bebenroth: a farmer, chef and owner of Spice Kitchen + Bar and Spice of Life Catering Company. Ben came ready with his farm boots and chef coat in hand. Ben's  home sits on 13 acres of land in Cuyahoga Valley which also is a farm. Ben talks to Kim from Cleveland Magazine about his home, business and family as we got started.On camera Ben holds a few vegetables and knives as props and we have a few laughs. Within minutes the photo needed  has been captured.

Our second shoot was with news anchor Jennifer Jordan from FOX news. Jennifer came in looking beautiful already, just off an early broadcast. Kristen Miller the Art Director had arranged wardrobe for Jennifer but she also brought a few dresses in case they were needed. I helped Jennifer with her makeup and hair. Then there were three dresses to photograph her in and it would be determined later which one would be used. FOX news also sent out a news camera to spotlight her shoot on their program. Jennifer was excited about this shoot and I think she did great.

Our last shoot was with Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer. This was going to be done the day before "THE DECISION" was to be made on whom would start the game against  the Colts Johnny Manziel or Brian. Our shoot was going to be done at the Browns training facility in Berea.  Once we arrived and got checked in we were shown to a very small media room outside the lobby area. Eric Mull set up to do the photographing. 

 When Brian came in he looked sharp in his suit that the magazine requested him to wear. We did some introductions and as Brian was on set Eric said “I had a lot of friends offer to come with me so they could meet you"." People like you.” Brian snickered and relied “Well I am not too sure about today". I looked at Brian's eyes they seemed to be welled up a little. I felt as if he wasn’t taking this decision lightly.

The shoot  was about 15 minutes long and Cleveland Magazine was all in favor of Brian being on the cover no matter the decision. I had joked that there might be a re-shoot of Johnny on Friday. Kristen replied” It will be Hoyer”. The Browns did keep Hoyer for that game but would start Manziel the following week. In my eyes, I am Team Hoyer and he has earned the right to be on the cover because Brian is the hometown guy and this year he has been very interesting. 

Cleveland Magazine’s Most Interesting People

  In November I received a call from Cleveland Magazine’s art director Kristen

Miller. I was asked to be part of the cover shoot for the magazine’s January issue.

Of course I said, “I am on board.” The cover was spotlighting 5 of Cleveland's Most

Interesting People: artist Sarah Kabot, FOX 8’s Allie LaForce, Crop’s Chef Steve

Schimoler, Turnstyle Boutique’s owner Terrilynn Amos, and Joe Haden from the

Cleveland Browns.

  The morning was going to be on a tight time schedule, so I asked my cousin

and hairstylist Stephanie Johnson to assist with the hair. Even though on shoots I

typically do hair, I wanted to make sure I had proper time to give to each person

and would not have to rush them through. Stephanie was a pro, as always, and

everyone’s hair looked great. With four people in makeup, we awaited the arrival

of Joe Haden. Once he arrived, the girls from Kilgore Trout swung into action to get

his wardrobe ready as I performed my makeup magic for Joe. YES, sports stars can

wear makeup but not a lot- trust me. Joe needed just enough to add polish to the

photo about to be taken by Eric Mull.

 This cover was the first in the history of Cleveland Magazine, in which 5

people would take part. The look was to be edgy, like a Vanity Fair cover, and I love

the results. Everyone was in good spirits. In fact, Joe Haden posed for photos with

the staff after we were done. I encourage you to pick up the magazine and read all

of their stories. It is very interesting to read how much Clevelanders are marking

the map with their careers.

  About a week after this shoot, I was told James Franco’s (Spiderman, 127

Hours, and Eat Pray Love) grandma was coming in studio for a photo. Mitzi drove

herself to Eric’s studio and walked up with her cane and a book of photos of James.

I will tell you this, she is one proud grandmother. Mitzi told us how she went to the

Oscars with James last year. She recently visited him on set and was given a role in

the movie he was filming. She was in makeup for four hours!

  Her photo session was very quick, but she wanted to hang around to tell

more Hollywood stories. I just wished I had time to listen! Unfortunately, we

had two other shoots going on. I did give her a few business cards though. I have

learned in my years, it isn’t always what you know but whom. Maybe someday I can

get to the Oscars? Hint, hint Mitzi!

Cover Eric Mull/ Karen Siat/ Stephanie Johnson

Karen, Joe Haden and Stephanie

Photo: Eric Mull

Brady Quinn

   

  I must say, networking is the key in any business.  Facebook has had such an impact on us as a society.  I can even Like my grocery store to see their ads on my Facebook page.  Women in their 80’s are at lunch talking about seeing pictures their family posted in albums.  Facebook is like Mc Donald’s, iconic.  I was encouraged to join Facebook a few years back to get my name out and drum up business.  To be honest, it has worked.  Social networking is here to stay.  My FB Friends List is very select: I have known you for awhile, had to have met you recently, or want to do business with you in order for you to be added.

This Facebook story always gives me a laugh…  I was on set for a Cleveland Magazine shoot at Crocker Park in Westlake, Ohio. The subjects were Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn of the Cleveland Browns. I was excited to be there.  Many friends asked if I could get autographs for them, but when I am on set this is one thing I don’t ask for because it is frowned upon.

          My introduction to them was pretty cut and dry, and I read nothing into it. As I was building my friends list, I requested many of my media connections and decided to make a friend request to Brady Quinn.  He did accept me, became a part of my network, and blended in with my other friends or so I thought.  One day, I received a call from my boyfriend.  He said, “What’s up with Brady?  He gave you a wink smile and wrote ‘Hi’ on your wall.” I was shocked hearing this news. I said, “WHAT?” and started to laugh.  In my head, I knew when Brady and I met there was NOTHING there.  At that time, he was dating a gal and I was nearly 15 years older than he as well as divorced with three kids.  By all means, this didn’t seem to mesh.  I told my boyfriend, “Hmm I don’t know.  I will check on it later today.”

Even though it didn’t make sense, it turned out it WAS Brady Quinn! (LOL)  I wasn’t in any hurry, so I went on through the better part of the day before attending to this matter.  Once I logged on, there was a message from Brady.  It read, “To all my friends that received a wink smile and ‘Hi’ message, please disregard. I have a Facebook virus.”  At that, I knew I had to erase my wall post.

  Some of my friends said I should have left it up a few days no matter what it was, but he claimed he really didn’t send it and I am in a relationship.  It was best to remove it.  Once Brady was traded, he deleted his account and I can no longer get posts by accident anymore. 

From finding an old friend, a new lead for a job, or just reading something funny in someone’s post, Facebook makes me smile.  It is a way to connect or reconnect and escape for just a bit.