the stand-ins

When you shoot corporate CEO photos you want to make sure that everything is set and ready to go when your guys (I've never photographed a female CEO) arrive on the set.  So, you have to have people 'stand in' for the real subjects while lights are set, positions are established and cords are taped down. Many photographers use their assistants for this job, but for the past 20 years my models on these shoots have been my two art directors and friends Frank Satogata & Linda Shepherd. Usually I capture them with their eyes closed, talking to one another or just looking pissed off.  Since these frames are only for test purposes I rarely care what their expressions are, but as I found out this week, they do.  After I sent samples to them (with really bad looks) both Linda & Frank said they were retiring from modeling - "no more," I think is what they said.  So, I searched through all of the image tests we did and found one that looks pretty good (to encourage their continued participation). Whatever happens, thanks Linda & Frank for all of your 'stand-in' memories.