The Black Bra

And a hurricane strength fan

“Hey Ron, wanted to let you know Alice is in Charlotte,” said the voice on the phone, “and she has a new black bra she wants to shoot.” Jill Joyce, the owner of Directions Talent and Alice’s agent, knew that I loved to photograph Alice.

The black bra was always the kicker. After photographing hundreds, maybe thousands of beige bras and white bras for the Hanes catalogs, a black bra was a different conversation. Jill continued, “Are you available tomorrow night?” and laughing she said “don’t forget the Chardonnay.” She knew me too well. Alice was one of my “go-to” models for so many shoots.

We talked as she fixed her make-up. Alice had just come from another shoot so she was just about “make-up ready” for my camera. I already had the hot lights and scrim in place, and the fan ready, at the right height.

“I’m ready!” she said, striding out to the set, wearing the new black bra and a denim jacket. Instinctively, she knew where to stand. I turned on the fan but her hair barely moved. I reached over and joked “We need to turn this up to hurricane strength.” “Now lift your arms like you’re flying.” “Ok, perfect, now turn your head away from me and when I say now, swing your head fast and stop right here” as I held up my hand, like a karate chop right in front of the lens.

Alice nailed it, like always. That’s why Jill knew to call me.

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Image from the mid-1980s. Thank you Alice!