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Written by Jamal "SJ" Fareed

 It was March 11th. Brian and I had scheduled an photo shoot right after 1093Nation Radio. I was so excited. I've done photo shoots in the past, and we had alot of fun doing them, but this time was different: This was the first time I had a photo shoot in a studio setting AS A HIP-HOP ARTIST! Talk about exciting!

We had met the previous Sunday and he suggested I go to the barbershop to touch up my lines and all since his camera was able to pick up all of the little details when taking the image. I could tell he put a lot of pride in his work, much like how I do with music.

That Friday, I got up extra early and went to my neighborhood barbershop, Annointed Hands, to get my line up. I don't go there very often anymore because...well, look at my photo haha! I don't necessarily need a haircut anymore, as my Afro has become a part of my image.

 It was always love whenever I walked in though, and I was out in about 10-15 minutes. I couldn't wait until after the radio show. I brought props and everything! Then something happened.

Brian had done a photo shoot earlier in the day in Kent and forgot his lights (the really good ones) there. He called me and basically said "I have my back up lights and they work fine, but I'm not confident in getting the image I want, and I wouldn't want to do that to you". I really appreciate that. Even though he had good back up lights, he wanted to use the best, and there's nothing wrong with that.

We rescheduled for Saturday evening. I came to his office at YBI (he is also Co-Founder of 3D Printing company Bravura3D) and I was ready. I had my outfit on, and all of my props, which was an MPC 2000, Numark Mixtrack Pro II DJ Controller, Akai Synthstation 49 keyboard, and of course, my signature AKG K99 headphones (Yes, I'm a tech nerd when it comes to studio equipment).

We got set up and within about 15 minutes, we were done.

I was shocked. So was he. I told him I wanted an image that can inspire. He's really into the aesthetics of the image and the emotion behind it. He does well with that I think.

He said it usually takes a while to get the lighting right before we shoot, but this time, everything was perfect, which I'm guessing doesn't happen very often in the world of photography.

I can relate though. This one time, my brother, Deezol, and I were recording a track entitled "Through My Eyes" for his upcoming project, Emotional Overdose. The way conveyed the message got me in goose bumps! it was really really cool.

So that's my story of how my photo shoot went with Brian Alls. Awesome guy to work with! Check out his work on Instagram @brianalls.

Catch ya on the flip side,
​-SJ